{"product_id":"why-the-dutch-are-different-a-journey-into-the-hidden-heart-of-the-netherlands-1","title":"Why The Dutch Are Different: A Journey Into the Hidden Heart of the Netherlands","description":"*A SCOTSMAN TRAVEL BOOK OF THE YEAR*\n\nStranded 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.\n\nIn 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.\n\nBen 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.\n\nA 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.\u003cbr\u003eASIN: 185788633X\u003cbr\u003eVSKU: DBV.185788633X.G\u003cbr\u003eCondition: Good\u003cbr\u003eAuthor\/Artist:Coates, Ben\u003cbr\u003eBinding: Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eNote:\u003c\/b\u003e Any images shown are stock photographs and product may differ from what is shown.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition Notes\u003c\/b\u003e: Gently used with minimal wear on the corners and cover. A few pages may contain light highlighting or writing, but the text remains fully legible. Dust jacket may be missing, and supplemental materials like CDs or codes may not be included. May be ex-library with library markings. Ships promptly!  \u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Dream Books Co.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41524316274746,"sku":"DBV.185788633X.G","price":8.29,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/6011\/0138\/files\/185788633X-0_4b68a450-22ca-4ce3-99ae-13f68d1121b8.jpg?v=1784086988","url":"https:\/\/shop.dreambooksco.com\/products\/why-the-dutch-are-different-a-journey-into-the-hidden-heart-of-the-netherlands-1","provider":"Dream Books Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}