Ben Coates Bücher

SHORTLISTED FOR THE STANFORD DOLMAN TRAVEL BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD The Rhine is one of the world's greatest rivers. Once forming the outer frontier of the Roman Empire, it flows 800 miles from the social democratic playground of the Netherlands, through the industrial and political powerhouses of Germany and France, to the wealthy mountain fortresses of Switzerland and Liechtenstein. For five years, Ben Coates lived alongside a major channel of the river in Rotterdam, crossing it daily, swimming and sailing in its tributaries. In The Rhine, he sets out by bicycle from the Netherlands where it enters the North Sea, following it through Germany, France and Liechtenstein, to where its source in the icy Alps. He explores the impact that the Rhine has had on European culture and history and finds out how influences have flowed along and across the river, shaping the people who live alongside it. Blending travelogue and offbeat history, The Rhine tells the fascinating story of how a great river helped shape a continent.

*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.

Exploring the intricacies of a remarkable yet often misunderstood city, this guide offers insights into its culture, history, and unique characteristics. The author, known for their work on Dutch culture, provides a nuanced perspective that challenges common perceptions, making it an essential read for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of this vibrant urban landscape.

Dla Amandine koszmar stał się rzeczywistością, a ucieczka wydawała się jedynym sposobem na uwolnienie się od codziennego piekła. Evan, zdradzony przez ukochaną żonę, myślał, że przeprowadzka na inny kontynent pozwoli mu zapomnieć i wieść spokojne życie. Oboje są pokaleczonymi duszami, które los splata na pustkowiu Australii. Szukają miłości i zrozumienia, niepewni, czy demony przeszłości ich dopadną. Opowieść wciąga od pierwszych stron, a bohaterowie są przedstawieni w realistyczny sposób, co sprawia, że historia staje się bliska czytelnikowi. Dzięki płynnej narracji, powieść nie pozwala oderwać się od codzienności, aż do ostatniej strony. Po lekturze zostaje uczucie kaca książkowego. Amandine i Evan uciekają przed przeszłością – ona, aby poczuć się lepiej; on, aby zapomnieć. Czasami jednak warto spojrzeć w przyszłość. Książka zabiera nas w emocjonującą podróż do malowniczej Australii, gdzie dawne krzywdy tracą znaczenie, a ucieczka przynosi nieoczekiwane konsekwencje. Czy jesteście gotowi na gorącą miłość, która spada jak deszcz na rozpalone stepy? W tej powieści strach i niepewność przekształcają się w spokój ducha, a miłość rozświetla mrok duszy.