Amsterdam: A History of the World's Most Liberal City

For a Dutchman living abroad, an absolutely wonderful book,brilliantly describing the building of Amsterdam, the history of the Netherlands, nicely intertwined with personal histories of certain people,part of the liberal world which made the Netherlands what they are; wealthy,rich in culture,secure,open to all new ideas,etc.etc. A book which makes a Dutchman to be proud of his heritage and visitors open to see more than the obvious monuments and musea.Very pleasant to read and I have personally given the book some people who were going to Holland to work/study