Why the Dutch are Different

A SCOTSMAN TRAVEL BOOK OF THE YEAR Stranded 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. In 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. Ben 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. A personal portrait of a fascinating people, a sideways history and an entertaining travelogue, Why the Dutch are Different is the story of an Englishman who went Dutch. And loved it.

Préface

Why the Dutch are Different is the internationally bestselling portrait of a fascinating people and the country that was the setting for *Tulip Fever.
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Auteur

Ben 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 Guardian, Financial Times and Huffington Post. ben-coates.com

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INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER

'Provides the answers to all the questions I had but didn't dare ask about the Netherlands' DutchNews

Stranded 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.

Ben Coates delves into the heart of his adopted homeland and discovers why Amsterdam's brothels are going out of business, who really killed Anne Frank and why the colour orange is so important. He also discovers a country that is changing fast, with the Dutch now questioning many of the liberal policies that made their country famous.

You'll find out why the Dutch are...

the tallest people on Earth

closing prisons through lack of demand

not as environmentally friendly as everyone thinks

voracious cheese-eaters

A personal portrait of a fascinating people, a sideways history and an entertaining travelogue, this is the story of a man who went Dutch - and loved it.

'Full of fascinating details. Coates is entirely convincing in his affectionate portrait' *Prospect

*'Vivid and informative. Coates intertwines the nation's journey to its modern iteration with his own adaptation to the Dutch lifestyle. An accomplished debut' *Geographical

• Ben Coates was born in England in 1982. After completing a master's degree in economics, he worked as a political adviser, corporate speechwriter, lobbyist and aid worker. He now works for an international charity and lives with his Dutch wife in Rotterdam.

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Résumé
Why the Dutch are Different is the internationally bestselling portrait of a fascinating people and the country that was the setting for Tulip Fever.