Amsterdam: A Brief Life of the City

Amsterdam: A brief life of the city

by Geert Mak

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2263 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	354 pages

FREE

By Russell Shorto

Amsterdam is a city that has always been defined by its relationship to water. Founded on the banks of the Amstel River in the 13th century, the city grew into a major port and trading center thanks to its strategic location at the mouth of the Rhine River. In the 17th century, Amsterdam experienced a Golden Age of art and culture, becoming home to some of the world's most famous painters, including Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Frans Hals. However, the city's prosperity was also built on the slave trade, and Amsterdam was one of the major centers of the transatlantic slave trade.

In the 19th century, Amsterdam underwent a period of rapid industrialization, and the city's population grew rapidly. The city also became a major center of the socialist movement, and in 1918, Amsterdam became the first city in the world to elect a socialist mayor.

During World War II, Amsterdam was occupied by the Nazis, and the city's Jewish population was decimated. Anne Frank, one of the most famous victims of the Holocaust, lived in hiding in Amsterdam during the war. After the war, Amsterdam was rebuilt and became a major tourist destination. The city is now home to a number of world-renowned museums, including the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Anne Frank House.

Amsterdam is a city of contrasts. It is a city of canals and bridges, of museums and nightclubs, of history and modernity. It is a city that is constantly reinventing itself, and it is a city that is always worth exploring.

Praise for Amsterdam: A Brief Life of the City

"A fascinating and beautifully written history of one of the world's most fascinating cities." - The New York Times

"Shorto brings Amsterdam to life with his vivid prose and deep understanding of the city's history." - The Washington Post

"A must-read for anyone who wants to understand Amsterdam." - The Guardian

Amsterdam: A brief life of the city

by Geert Mak

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2263 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	354 pages

FREE