When Ben Coates injures his leg and needs to rebuild his strength by walking, he finds himself presented with an exciting opportunity- to rediscover the city he has been working in for over a decade, at a slower pace. He devised ten walks, each demonstrating a different chapter of Amsterdam's history, from its humble beginnings in the early 1200s as a small fishing community through two Golden Ages, fuelled by the growth of the Dutch colonial empire, two world wars, and countless reinventions.

Join Coates as he meanders past beautiful townhouses and glittering canals, dances at Pride celebrations, witnesses the King's apology at Keti Koti, attends a WW2 memorial, gets high at a coffee shop, walks through the red-light district, and gazes in awe at Rembrandt paintings, all the while illuminating modern Amsterdam by explaining its past.

Blending travelogue and quirky history, The Invention of Amsterdam is an entertaining and sharply observed portrait of a fascinating and complicated city.



Praise for Why the Dutch are Different-

'Author Ben Coates has produced an insightful gem.'
-The Scotsman, Books of the Year

'A book as quietly appealing as its subject and full of fascinating details. Coates is entirely convincing in his affectionate portrait.'
-Bronwen Maddox, Prospect

'Vivid and informative ... An accomplished debut.'
-Geographical