Netherlands Books

Table of Contents: Chronology, p. 21; Catalogue, p. 87; The Iconoclast p. 313; Learning From Experience p. 373; Exhibitions p. 389. With a Foreword, Introduction, End Notes, and Bibliography.

From the flap: "Although Mondrian is generally recognized for his powerful influence on 20th century art, architecture and design, his achievement as a painter has been underestimated. This comprehensive monograph traces Mondrian's career, from his early Dutch landscapes at the turn of the century to the dazzlingly rhythmic compositions he painted in New York at the end of his life. In this volume, his identiy as a modern artist is addressed in detail. While the continuity within his entire evolution is fully explored, particular attention is paid to moments of dramatic change...."

This was our first book by Mike Venezia and we're now hooked. My kids loved this book, both the paintings and the silly cartoons. We read it a few times and discussed the paintings and within a week or two they had them memorized. I appreciated the balance of actual art with the details of Bruegel's life. I thought it covered this artist beautifully for this level (first grade).

The pictures in the paperback weren't as glossy as the hardcover library edition and it detracted a bit from the overall enjoyment, but not enough to keep me from purchasing the rest of the series.

I suppose that it is mostly the fault of the movies, but we tend to think of pirates as being either British (Blackbeard) or French (Lafitte). It turns out thought that the Dutch, who were building an overseas empire that would rival that of the British also issued letters of marque (Dutch - commissie van retorsie) that gave their ships the right to act as privateers to attack the ships of eneny countries. And as was the custom with the British and French privateers, some of them found that their weren't enough enemy ships so they broadened their range to become outright pirates.

In this book, Virginia Lunsford, a professor of history at the United States Naval Acadamy describes the story of Dutch piracy and privateering in an excellent bit of original research.

One strange aspect of Dutch pirates is that a surprising number of them retired back to Holland after their career as a pirate and lived with a certain esteem and respect. This was in spite of the existence of laws that specifically outlawed piracy and prescribed hanging as the penalty.

This book not only gives the history of Dutch piracy in narrative form, but has several appendicies that give specific detailed information on individual ships and the results of their cruises.

This is a pioneering work covering a subject I've not seen covered before.

Walter Gibson's "Pleasant Places" will help you enjoy the quiet and unassuming genre of 17th Century northern European landscape art. The author accepts the works at face value: pleasant images of places the Dutch in particular liked to visit. Gibson does not read religious allegory into them as some art historians do, but he instead shows you how to appreciate the quality of light, the sense of place, and the Dutch character that emerges from Dutch landscape art. He perhaps inadvertently offers some examples where religious interpretations may be more important than he allows, and you do not feel that he is forcing all of the works to fit his premise even though he is steadfast. The book is well-written, and I especially appreciate the author's parenthetical definition of Dutch terms and concepts as they are introduced. In addition, he gently reminds you of their meanings when they are reintroduced in subsequent chapters, so you won't have to hunt through the index and text to find them again. Some of the black-white reproductions of prints are too small, and not clear enough to enable detailed study, but this is a common problem with art history books, and this book will motivate you to visit the nearest art museum to study the genre in any case. Walter Gibson communicates a love and respect for 17th Century northern European landscape art that makes me want to visit Holland and experience it first-hand. Walter Gibson has persuaded me that I will find the Dutch countryside a pleasant place laden with history and wonderful light.

Those who don't know about the way the Dutch do birth might think this is an esoteric topic, but De Vries makes clear why midwives, obstetricians, family doctors and moms-to-be need to pay attention to maternity care in the Netherlands. It is no accident of history that one-third of births in Holland occur at home, most under the watchful eye of a midwife. His explanation of the Dutch way of birth points the way toward reforming the over-medicalized care given to moms in other western Nations -- reforms that would make birth more pleasing and less expensive.

De Vries is not your typical social scientist. He writes in an engaging way, telling the very interesting story of the people who have helped to maintain this humane approach to birth.

A great book!

Collaboratively edited by Mieke Bal (Professor of the Theory of Literature, University of Amsterdam) and Inge E. Boer (Associate Professor of Literary Studies, University of Amsterdam), The Point Of Theory: Practices Of Cultural Awareness is a compilation of scholarly, graduate-level essays by twenty-three different cultural theorists, presenting well thought-out views on such diverse aspects of human cultures as Kant and postmodern literature, what it means to be a female artist in history, Native American traditions, the Statue of Liberty's symbolic implications, and a great deal more. Overall, this original and eclectic collection strives to make the tangled mystery that is human culture more understandable. The Point Of Theory is a very highly recommended for Anthropology supplemental reading lists and academic reference collections.

Lets a admit one thing, in the movie "A Bridge Too Far" you favorite charater was General Sosabowski, played by Gene Hackman. If it was, or you have ever had any interest in The General, the Polish Independant Parachute Brigade, or the battle of Arnhem, you must read this book. The author is an expert on the Polish military, and his great writing comes through in this work. The book tells the tale of Sosabowski, and his men from the fall of Poland in 1939, to thier heroic action in Operation MARKET GARDEN. The book is told from the soldiers view, which graphically comes alive for the reader. It also cover the units history (Rather the personnel) up until 1992. One of the best unit histories that I have read.

Wow! This is the most amazing and extensive collection of photos of primary sources for children's renaissance costumes that I have ever seen. Additionally, the analysis is extensive, scholarly, helpful and fascinating. This book provides a fascinating insight into family life in the renaissance. The book itself is a top-quality production. The color plates are large and beautifully reproduced. This is THE must-have for costumers and recreationists interested in children and/or families of the Renaissance. The only frustration is its narrow focus on the Netherlands. I just wish this was one of a series!

a very untertaining and interesting book, full of insights and original ideas.
Japanese authorities and Dutch sailors played an amazing game of diplomacy when wrongs were transformed in benefactions and ambassadors sent to dye and be embalmed
The best introduction ever to the first contacts between Europeans and Japanese

If your family has any Dutch heritage your family castle will probably be in this book. Each castle is described in some detail, many have a single BW picture but the more significant have large colour spreads. The external ( there are no internal pictures ) Dutch style of larger farm house and castle is well presented in this book and the general presentation quality is excellent. While in Holland I visited a number of castles and I have found this book to be a superb reminder of the places and sights.