The Dutch Republic: Its Rise, Greatness, and Fall 1477-1806

As a student this was my main text for a class titled "A History of the Dutch Golden Age." It was extremely useful, clear, and well written. I had little trouble getting through even the longest chapters and felt I knew exactly what Israel was trying to say. Do not be intimidated by the size of this 1000+ text, you will learn a lot!

This book truly is the difinitive work on Dutch history. The sheer volume and description of detail makes the book very informative. The vivid writing style and the subdivision of the chapters gives the reader the ability to speed through the book in addition to breaking down and digesting each main idea clearly. The maps, charts, and graphs are clear and give the reader an illustration to the detail of the text. Also, the explanation of the Dutch Republican government, which is anything but simple, was clear and precise. I plan on using this book in my classes for reference. A truly great book.

The best historybook I have ever read with no doubt. I think in a small 1300 pages I never learned so much about my own history than I learned in the 2 weeks I spend to read this book. By now I have read it 3 times and if only have time I would pick ip up and read it again and again till I can dream whats in there. The 17th & 18th century is with no doubt one of the most interesting parts in the history of the world. Strangely it was my own country that played the most important role in this very interesting time. And so many Dutch that earn the right to be named here, so many founders of our nations. Perhaps to them this is the most honarable a man could ever do to them, since they are all named in the book and how !!! I think about John Van Oldenbarnevelt, Hugo De Groot, John & Cornelius De Witt, Micheal De Ruyter, Rembrandt Van Rijn and last but not least Spinoza !! An amazing achievement that will set out to be THE standard work about the Republic for years to come.I have read the Dutch version, and that one is a really special one, seperated in 2 books, hardcover !! And everty page printed on photopaper, beautifully released !!! So when you are Dutch you can beter go to a local bookstore to get the Dutch version, since its simply more beautifull, although the price (about $ 130,- is another thing that can keep you away from it.) is worth it every penny !! You will not be regreted.For non Dutch people, when you want to come over and tour our little nice country, be sure to read this book from beginning till end and back. It will tell you everything you ever need to know to understand our culture & history.

Being a Dutchman myself, I am very pleased to have this book, which gives a very detailed and insightful account of the Dutch Republic, starting with the rise of Holland in the 13th century. Israel compares the dutch 'Golden Age' with similiar glorious periods in Florence and Athens. Indeed, the explosion of science, art and technology in the dutch Golden Age as depicted by Israel is amazing; the results are still visible today (especially in art; Rembrandt, Vermeer, ...). The comprehensive treatment in this book affords a view on the whole panorama of this exceptional period; the Fall in the 18th century, less pleasant, is also covered in detail, ending with the deaththrows of the republic after the French revolution.

I read anything I can about the Benelux countries because I am a descendent of Dutch settlers who emigrated from Groningen and Zeeland to Grand Rapids Michigan in the 1860s. One branch of our family lived in Sint Maartensdyke for at least 500 years. Why leave after all that time? One of the most important approaches to understanding the lives of our own ancestors is reading history. Having discovered real human beings who lived through the periods depicted by Israel, Schma, and other historians has helped me to better appreciate what my ancestors might have experienced and why they made the decisions they did. Why do the Mennonites suddenly disappear from our family tree? I learned from Israel and Schma Mennonites were persecuted (we must have switched rather than fight). I learned from Schma that the Dutch farmers turned out in droves to fight Napolean at Waterloo. It gave me goosebumps because I never imagined before I might have had an ancestor at Waterloo. I have learned about the shipping business and various battles for control of the sea. I had an ancestor who was the skipper of a ship, now I have some insight into his life. The ancient relationship between the Dutch and the English is fascinating. I have an ancestor named Inglesman--which means Englishman in Dutch.