Why the Dutch are Different

After visiting the Netherlands and loving it, I wanted to read about the people there. On one hand, there were many interesting findings, from their stature to honesty and status. On the other hand, lots of the book brought up history and it felt much more tedious than what I expected- real and current people.

I picked up the book because it seemed like a quick easy read for a forthcoming trip to the Netherlands. A lot of the book is fine, albeit generally forgettable. The last two chapters, however, really drop off. Coates worked for David Cameron and the political inclinations really shine through in the final two chapters. The chapter on immigration unexpectedly veers into anecdotal criticism of Arab immigrants that's really not backed up with any evidence. The last chapter seesaws with arguments (The Netherlands is safe, then it isn't) that left a bad taste by the end.