A History of the Low Countries

A History of the Low Countries by Paul Arblaster

241 pages

Started: 7 May 2010
Finished: 26 July 2010

This was quite the comprehensive history. I definitely learned a lot reading this book. And it was very interesting to see so much of European, and world, history through the eyes of one part of the world rather than the broad overhead view you get in a history class. But at the same time it was interesting how connected everything is and how the history of the Low Countries is so tied to the history of so many other places as well.

A few things about the book that I didn’t quite enjoy was that it focused quite heavily on the politics and wars of the area. There were very few mentions of the culture and art. It was about what the rich and elite were doing to gain power rather than what the majority, the folk, were doing. When I think of the low countries I think of the reclaimed land and windmills. And those weren’t mentioned.

The history also started with the conquest of Caesar. Which to me indicates that there were people there to conquer. But there is no mention of where they came from or their history before then. Just that they were conquered but put up a good fight. I’m interested in who those people are. History doesn’t start with Rome.

Rating: 7

Alphabet of Books – N