Netherlands Books

The book offers a nice introduction to the artist's life and times. Also provides excellent insights regarding the workshop and distinguishing between Rembrandt's art and that of his pupils. The scholarship is indepth and apt, most of the writers being part of the Rembrandt Project. There are 83 separate plates (most in color) with wonderful essays and explanations.

This box set is the most prized possession on my bookshelf. I could not possibly do the pictures and information in this book justice with words. Some of the most amazing detail photographs of Rembrandt's surfaces that I have ever seen.

i received the book on time, it was in very good condition! i'd purchase from this company again.

In her book Mariet Westerman guides us through the life and works of Rembrandt - from his earliest self-portraits to the introspective works of his later days. And she does so with empathy and a deep understanding of both the artist's character and the artistic, economic and social environment which he was a part of. Westerman writes in a matter-of-fact way without being superficial. Thus the book may be read by the specialist and novice alike and enhance the pleasure of both the next time they are confronted with the profound humanity of Rembrandt's art. This is no coffee-table book, but comes in a format made for reading and use in trains and galleries alike. Nevertheless, the book is beautifully illustrated with all the pictures relevant to a top biography of one of the most beloved artists in European culture. Highly recommended!

Remembering Nureyev: The Trail of a Comet is a biography of acclaimed male ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev, as told by one of his closest friends, the European choreographer Rudi van Dantzig, who first met Nureyev when Nureyev asked for permission to dance in one of van Dantzig's ballets. Expertly translated into English by Katie de Haan, Remembering Nureyev is a tale of conflict as well as closeness; though Nureyev was a genius in the realm of ballet, his over-the-top lifestyle frequently brought him at odds with Dantzig, who had a very strict concept of how his dances should be performed and portrayed. Dantzig eventually fired Nureyev as the advance of years took its toll upon his skills and his life. An eye-opening, firsthand testimony of the bond between artists.

Rudi van Dantzig describes his friendship with Rudolf Nureyev with great sensitivity. The author was/is a fine observer of people's follys, but makes no value judgements. which I appreciated.
The book is a finely tuned to the spirit of the 1980s and 1990s, and definately neither whitewashing nor darkening Nureyev's image. The word AIDS is never mentioned, yet one 'knows'.
I recommend this book highly to all fans of Rudolf Nureyev.
Ute Seemann

This book provides excellent detail for an great car trip in France. His recommendation to stay in the Rue Cler area of Paris was perfect. I also enjoyed the many small villages that were suggested.

The French are wonderful...all you need is this book and two weeks off!

We used this guide last year on a trip through France, Belgium and the Netherlands and found it to be indispensable. Since this was our first trip to Europe, we were very nervous about making train and hotel reservations on our own. Rick's book made it a breeze. It was also very accurate on hotel and restaurant prices. Overall the book made our trip much more enjoyable and I have recommended it to a number of people.

I first used Rick Steves' France book in 1993, and after buying a dozen different books about travel in Paris and France, I still find THIS book the most concise, fun, and helpful France travel resource! I expecially love his recommendation of the Rue Cler district as the place to stay in Paris. As Rick so eloquently says, "Rue Cler, a villagelike pedestrian street, is safe, tidy, and makes me feel like I must have been a poodle in a previous life......Living here ranks with the top museums as one of the city's great experiences." Rue Cler is an indoor/outdoor street market of friendly gastronomic stores (cooked and raw foods), flower shops, and fine friendly restaurants. Watching and mingling with the Parisians (and their dogs)as they shop and eat their way down the block is truly an unforgettable unique experience. In addition, Rick Steves' very accurately lists and grades, in order of importance, all of the most important tourist sites throughout Paris and France so that you are always assured of seeing everything that is worthwhile. This book is THE BEST BOOK of travel through Paris and France! Bon Voyage

We spent three weeks bouncing around France, and constantly used this book. I particularly recommend his suggestions for a hotel in the town of Chennonceaux, inexpensive, courteous, lovely; the most gorgeous place I've ever stayed in (also cheap), the Hotel de Poste in Beynac (Dordogne) which we would never have found without this book; and in Carcassonne, the chambre d'hote across from the Hotel des Ramparts, which also we could never have found without Steves' help. (We've used his books for other parts of Europe as well.) I couldn't recommend this book more strongly

This is a great book for people who are moving to Holland as it provides detailed information on living, and touring, here. It is organized by provinces, and gives clear information on how to get to sites and events. An updated edition fills in with new info and events.

Easy to read book outlined by provinces within the country. Chock full of museums,sites, useful transportation information and a calendar of yearly special events. Within the provinces is a detailed account of important cities and what to see. There's even a section devoted to Living in Holland. I own the 1989 edition and hopefully the reprint will correct any opening times, admission prices or telephone numbers. That said, well worth the money, as is.

Van de Wetering (a Dutch) is a very interesting author of quite unique "mysteries", set in a very everyday Amsterdam and also writes interestingly about his experiences with Zen Bhuddism. Van Gulik was a Dutch diplomat (before, during and after WW II), and a scientist working on Chinese history and culture who could play old Chinese instruments and mastered calligraphy - and who wrote mysteries in an old Imperial Chinese setting. Gulik is clearly one of Van de Wetering' s "heroes" and he is very aptly portraited as an interesting person living in interesting times and doing interesting things.

Robert Hans van Gulik was a Dutch diplomat, a Sinologist -look it up! - a poet, musician, zoologist: and above all the author of the famous Judge Dee sequence of thrillers, set in T'ang China. Janwillem van de Wetering is a writer and ex-monk with a passionate interest in the East, and the ideal person to write Gulik's life - he died in 1967. Yet this book is out of print! PLEASE SOMEONE REPRINT IT SOONEST!!

In my never-ending quest of being fully prepared, I bought every [travelers] map of Amsterdam I could possibly find. Of those, this one is the clearest and includes what I felt to be the most important 'points of interest'. It arrives in a thick paper pouch of sorts which includes pictures and descriptions of twenty of the points of interest - very handy. And the paper the map is printed on is top-notch (waterproof, as advertised). It opens to be a bit on the large side, which might be tough if you plan to use it in small spaces or particularly windy conditions. But the space is utilized efficiently and the size is part of what makes it so easy to read.

Bottom line: if you're only going to buy one map of Amsterdam, this is the one to get.

If you are looking for a superb map of Amsterdam with detailed streets that will keep you from falling in a canal DO NOT look any further. Will last many trips due to its waterproof design. Too bad I lost mine after a trip to a coffeeshop!

Of course I like this book. Well written, true story, and my father is mentioned in it. To me, it is emotions and poetry. What else do we need in life??

Maria Jacobs is a poet and writes this brilliant memoir with a poet's sensibilities. Her childhood memories of the Nazi presence in Holland, of her mother's unfailing strength and of her family harboring fugitives are vivid, yet she wastes no words and belabors nothing. "A Safe House" can be read by children as well as adults and affords a great opportunity to discuss fear, courage and doing what is moral and right.

I tried finding this book before I left the U.S. for Amsterdam, but it was impossible. I bought the 2005 version the first day I got there.

The book is small enough to fit in a pocket or purse. There's a good fold out map of Amsterdam, then a second close up map which includes the Red Light District, Dam Square and Centraal Station. There's pictures and information on different types of "goods" available that you'll probably want to check out. You'll find directions and info to parks, hotels and hostels, pubs, places to eat, trams and of course, Coffee Shops. The Coffee Shop Index really gives you an idea of how many coffee shops there are (aaaall around you :D). You might even save a few euro by using a coupon or two included in the guide book.

You'll want to buy a second guide book to Amsterdam if you want to know about anything else unrelated. Like you would...

The S-Guide (as the "crew" calls it) was the most informative and comprehensive up-to-date guide on the Amsterdam scene. For first timers there is the history, laws and Do's & Don'ts regarding cannabis coffeeshops, smart shops and homegrow centres. For experienced visitors there is all kinds of "stoner science" and the like. Places to trip, and clubs, health foods, fat foods, and stoney hangouts. Wikid!

All this is wrapped in a great full colour glossy book with heaps of pix and top coffeeshops to visit. There are two maps and the fold-out map was crucial while we stumbled round the city!

All this info, tips, coupons for free beer & coffee, 10% off tattoos, dinners and mushrooms at smart shops, free tear-out filter tips, etc., etc. AND it was pretty funny on top of it all!!!

We bought a few to take home as souvenirs and gifts for friends that could not make the trip. They were drooling over the book and have since sworn to be a part of the next trip!

Thanx heaps, to all the Smokers GUide staff for making such a wonderful book and website! If there was subscriptions I would want this book every year but I guess i'll have to check here at amazon each year for the new version or maybe go to back to Amsterdam to get it in person!