Amsterdam

By Russell Shorto,

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

Book description

Amsterdam is not just any city. Despite its relative size it has stood alongside its larger cousins - Paris, London, Berlin - and has influenced the modern world to a degree that few other cities have. Sweeping across the city's colourful thousand year history, Amsterdam brings the place to life:…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Amsterdam as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

The writer loves Amsterdam that much is clear. He deftly shows how this one city grew from the most unpromising location to become not only a great city in its own right, but also the city where tolerance, markets, and the ideals of liberal tolerant capitalist society were forged and burnished. Our modern liberal cosmopolitanism was created in Amsterdam. We owe a great deal to Amsterdam and its citizens. 

Want books like Amsterdam?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Amsterdam.

Browse books like Amsterdam

Book cover of Cities in Civilization
Book cover of The Condition of the Working-Class in England in 1844: Frederick Engels
Book cover of Capital: The Eruption of Delhi

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,350

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in the Netherlands, liberalism, and Amsterdam?

The Netherlands 85 books
Liberalism 44 books
Amsterdam 36 books