{"product_id":"why-the-dutch-are-different-a-journey-into-the-hidden-heart-of-the-netherlands-paperback","title":"Why the Dutch Are Different: A Journey Into the Hidden Heart of the Netherlands - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eBen Coates\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e*A SCOTSMAN TRAVEL BOOK OF THE YEAR* \u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eStranded at Schiphol airport, Ben Coates called up a friendly Dutch girl he'd met some months earlier. He stayed for dinner. Actually, he stayed for good. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn the first book to consider the hidden heart and history of the Netherlands from a modern perspective, the author explores the length and breadth of his adopted homeland and discovers why one of the world's smallest countries is also so significant and so fascinating. It is a self-made country, the Dutch national character shaped by the ongoing battle to keep the water out from the love of dairy and beer to the attitude to nature and the famous tolerance. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eBen Coates investigates what makes the Dutch the Dutch, why the Netherlands is much more than Holland and why the colour orange is so important. Along the way he reveals why they are the world's tallest people and have the best carnival outside Brazil. He learns why Amsterdam's brothels are going out of business, who really killed Anne Frank, and how the Dutch manage to be richer than almost everyone else despite working far less. He also discovers a country which is changing fast, with the Dutch now questioning many of the liberal policies which made their nation famous. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eA personal portrait of a fascinating people, a sideways history and an entertaining travelogue, \u003ci\u003eWhy the Dutch are Different\u003c\/i\u003e is the story of an Englishman who went Dutch. And loved it.\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eBen Coates was born in Britain in 1982, lives in Rotterdam with his Dutch wife, and now works for an international charity. During his career he has been a political advisor, corporate speechwriter, lobbyist and aid worker. He has written articles for numerous publications including the \u003ci\u003eGuardian\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eFinancial Times\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eHuffington Post\u003c\/i\u003e. ben-coates.com\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 304\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.1 x 7.8 x 5.2 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e September 05, 2017\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51770067616032,"sku":"9781857886856","price":14.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/9764\/5344\/files\/9a87d8a8f59d0f3d063ed383d0be7bd0.webp?v=1780363789","url":"https:\/\/ebocreations.com\/products\/why-the-dutch-are-different-a-journey-into-the-hidden-heart-of-the-netherlands-paperback","provider":"The E-Book Oasis LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}