#Dutch: nr.2 Shortlist Libris History Prize 2018
- Author: Remieg Aerts
- Title: Thorbecke Wil Het
- Published: 2018
- Trivia: Shortlist Libris Literature Prize 2018 for History
- Trivia: Winner PrinsjesBoekenprijs 2018 (best political book of the year)
Conclusion:
- I guess the idiom that best describes Thorbecke is:
- “…all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”
- After reading this monumental biography about the man
- who formed modern The Netherlands
- ….Thorbecke was far from dull!
- It is difficult to compare Thorbecke with any current politician.
- He was from another era:
- style was singular: we do it my way….or no way
- his thinking came from another source… German philosophy
- his personality was controversial:
- …when Throbecke enters a room, the temperature invariably drops.
- The Netherlands is indebted to this great man.
- Thorbecke had a vision for Dutch politics.
- He always asked himself:
- “Did I act and guide the government
- for a better and stronger future?”
- As the author so poignantly remarks in this last sentence:
- “How many people can honesty ask themselves this question today?
Last thoughts:
- I’ve lived in The Netherlands for years and everywhere you
- see Thorbeckeplein, Thorbeckstraat or Thorbecke School
- …but who was this man?
- I think 80% if the Dutch know he was important
- …but they don’t know why he was
- …a pivotal man in Dutch history.
- If you are willing to persevere through 763 pages
- with an analyses of:
- Thorbecke’s intellectual development (early years)
- his marriage to Adelheid Solger (one of the greatest love stories 19th C)
- the parliamentary culture in The Hague
- ….(led a team to create the modern Dutch Constitution 1848)
- his leadership (Thorbecke PM 1849 – 1872)
- …you will discover a man who towered above all others.
- Weak point: book is massive, difficult to balance in my tired hands!
- Strong point: there are many…
- ….but the last section pg 738 – 763 is excellent.
- Remieg Aerts ties up loose ends as a biographer
- …and links Thorbecke’s legacy to our modern times.
Shortlist Libris Prize 2018 for History:
- I’ve read Nobel Streven and De Sigarenfabriek van Isay Rottenberg.
- The winner will be announced 28 October 2018
- …I don’t think I can manage to read the last 2 books before Sunday.
NancyElin.blog 