Review: The Embarrassment of Riches
Redactionele recensie - Kirkus ReviewsScholarly, exhaustively researched, packed with highly esoteric information, this massive study is less daunting than it might seem at first glance, thanks to Schama's lively writing style and his eye for the colorful and thought-provoking detail. Specialized, but likely to instruct and, more importantly, entertain the general reader. Focusing his attention on the Netherlands during the 17th century, Schama investigates the linkage that the citizens who wrested their lands from the sea felt with the waters lapping their shores. The sea, quite understandably, was viewed as an enemy and, in a particularly evocative section, the author discourses at length on the identification the Dutch felt with the Children of Israel, especially the Jews of Exodus and their flight through the Red Sea. It is intriguing to speculate on how Netherlander attitudes influenced our Puritan forebears during their stay in the Low Countries. Puritan talk of founding the ""New Jerusalem"" and the Calvinist emphasis on Old Testament teachings owe much lo the Pilgrims' sojourn in the Netherlands. Equally provocative are the insights given into Golden Age attitudes toward sexuality--chastity was demanded and. again, had something to do with Old Testament attitudes, this time toward ""cleanliness."" Not that women were secluded, as they were in Latin countries; they were, in fact, quite liberated in their social intercourse, but a Dutch woman's reputation had to be as spotless as her doorstep. The dichotomy between apparently uninhibited public behavior and the strictest private morality confused and shocked both Catholic visitors and Puritan moralists. Among other topics that come under Schama's scrutiny are art, superstition. finance and child-rearing during the period when the Dutch Republic was one of Europe's superpowers. In each area he explores, Schama discovers details that prompt far-ranging speculations about religion, philosophy and the human condition. A stimulating and important dissection of a little-known but constantly fascinating era. A lavish compilation of 325 photographs (not seen) illustrates the text.
Review: The Embarrassment of Riches: An Interpretation of Dutch Culture in the Golden Age
Gebruikersrecensie - Persephone Abbott - GoodreadsI read this once years ago and then bought a copy recently to help me with the book I was writing. Schama is very entertaining a second time round. I was surprised to find myself wondering what I had ... Volledige recensie lezen
Review: The Embarrassment of Riches: An Interpretation of Dutch Culture in the Golden Age
Gebruikersrecensie - Julie - GoodreadsSchama covers in amazing detail the culture and history of the Netherlands during the peak of its Golden Age in the seventeenth century. He provides great insight on some of the origins of the traits ... Volledige recensie lezen
Review: The Embarrassment of Riches: An Interpretation of Dutch Culture in the Golden Age
Gebruikersrecensie - Matt - GoodreadsI knew Schama from his A History of Britain series via BBC/History and I have been interested about the Golden Age of the Dutch Republic, so that's what brought me to this book. My usual history ... Volledige recensie lezen
Review: The Embarrassment of Riches: An Interpretation of Dutch Culture in the Golden Age
Gebruikersrecensie - Matt - GoodreadsWow, this book is dense. Really good artwork and some really detailed information about Holland and its empire in the 1600s...but this is one of those books that after you read it, you'll wonder why ... Volledige recensie lezen
Review: The Embarrassment of Riches: An Interpretation of Dutch Culture in the Golden Age
Gebruikersrecensie - Katie - GoodreadsThis is a really fun book that explores the Golden Age of the Netherlands (predominantly the 17th century) and its culture - as someone else here put it neatly, it's a book about how the Dutch became ... Volledige recensie lezen
Review: The Embarrassment of Riches: An Interpretation of Dutch Culture in the Golden Age
Gebruikersrecensie - GoodreadsThis book is frequently referenced or referred to when discussing the Dutch Golden Age. I wasn't fond of it, it's dry. If you're interested in this piece of Dutch history, you should read these books ...
Review: The Embarrassment of Riches: An Interpretation of Dutch Culture in the Golden Age
Gebruikersrecensie - Thomas Vree - GoodreadsI'm somewhat chagrined to say that I don't know that much about the history of the country I was born in. I go to the library and the shelves are filled with books about the British Isles, and many ... Volledige recensie lezen
Review: The Embarrassment of Riches: An Interpretation of Dutch Culture in the Golden Age
Gebruikersrecensie - Michael - GoodreadsThis book is one of three gold standards necessary to understanding Dutch culture today. Was surprised with the amount of religion that is spoke about as I do not consider the Dutch a very religious ... Volledige recensie lezen
Review: The Embarrassment of Riches: An Interpretation of Dutch Culture in the Golden Age
Gebruikersrecensie - GoodreadsI really like this book for a number of reasons. The first it is about one of my favorite periods and one of my favorite nations. This is a fun read packed with all sorts of interesting items ...
