Thought it would be nice to read a history of the great city of Amsterdam before, during, and after a holiday there. Greet Maks book was recommended in a few places so I grabbed a copy second hand.
On reflection I’d say this book would be more engaging for an Amsterdam native as opposed to a tourist, as all the detailed references to areas, canals, streets would be immediately relevant. The geography lost me at places as the city’s expansion is explained.
The trading culture and mercantile origins of Amsterdam were fascinating, although I found the latter chapters covering the 20th century of greatest interest and would have happily read more into those periods.
