General Books
To understand the Dutch way of life there are a range of books covering culture, business, living - here is a selection.
The Undutchables by Colin White & Laurie Boucke
The frontrunner of expat books and the reason this list was started. The Undutchables: An Observation of the Netherlands: Its Culture and Its Inhabitants is a funny, clever book that dissects every habit and trait of Dutch life for the expat, from beer to 'strippencops', the long-winded art of debate and much more.
www.theundutchables.com
My Dam Life by Sean Condon
This hilarious personal account of an Australian man's life in Amsterdam is not to be taken as a travel book that explains the ins and outs of this beautiful city, but as one man's fish out of water tale that expats may sympathise with.
www.seancondon.com
Amsterdam: A Brief Life of the City by Geert Mak
Amsterdammmer Geert Mak uncovers locals in history to tell the life of Amsterdam, from its rise out of the marsh into the world of trade, becoming a key figure in Europe, through World War II to present day.
www.geertmak.nl
Xenophobe Guide to the Dutch by Rodney Bolt
The Dutch edition in the Xenophobe's Guide series gets under the skin of the Dutch with a tongue-in-cheek explanation of the quirks and traits of the Dutch peoples. It will brace first-time visitors to the country while reaffirming the beliefs of those in the know, all the while being a celebration of the culture.
www.ovalbooks.com
The Low Sky: Understanding the Dutch by Han van de Horst
Less sarcastic than the Xenophobe Guide, The Low Sky identifies six traits that typify the Dutch: utilitarian, egalitarian, organised, trade-oriented, privacy-minded and having a debt of honour, explained via history, politics, personal classified and song lyrics to name a few.
www.amazon.com/Low-Sky-Understanding-Dutch
Dealing with the Dutch: A Guide for Visitors, New Residents and Better Business Relationships by Jacob Vossestein
Dealing with the Dutch is the ideal preparatory companion in understanding the Dutch business ethos and work culture, their habits and attitudes, for outside parties to build a cohesive business union with the local companies.
http://www.kit.nl
Here's Holland by Sheila Gazaleh Weevers
Part One of Here's Holland begins is a guide book with each town detailed, provinces given their own chapters and museums, galleries, restaurants, historic sites detailed within. Part Two focuses on living in Holland with advice and information on 'the system', culture, sports and yearly events.
www.heresholland.com
Holland Handbook
Written by over 20 contributors - all professionals in their field, the Holland Handbook acts as an aid for all expats and newcomers to The Netherlands; the employed, partner, student, or someone just looking for a change. With clear and concise details on the country profile, culture and etiquette, legal matters, housing, banking, and important phone numbers and addresses, The Holland Handbook is updated annually.
www.xpat.nl/holland_handbook
At Home in Holland: A Practical Guide for Living in the Netherlands by American Women's Club of the Hague
Now in its 11th run, At Home in Holland, compiled and authored by the American Women's Club of the Hague since 1963, has no doubt changed over the years. It's a quintessential guide to the basics of Dutch living; culture, etiquette, housing, education, legal matters and so forth with all proceeds going to this philanthropic women's group.
www.awcthehague.org
Brilliant Orange: The Neurotic Genius of Dutch Football by David Winner
Winner an Englishman, goes into great depth paralleling Dutch football (especially 1970s era, in which 1974 saw them lose to Germany in the World Cup final) with the general Dutch psyche, Winner blends subjects as diverse as art, architecture and religion into play.
www.amazon.co.uk/Brilliant-Orange
Dutch Cookery: Savouring a Century by Janny de Moor, Nico de Rooij and Albert Tielemans
What better way to get to know someone than over a meal. How about 100 meals? Spanning across ten chapters designated by decades, with ten recipes representative of each decade and accompanied by essays and charming stories get to know 20th century Netherlands through the eyes, ears and stomachs of locals.
home.kpn.nl
A Dictionary of Dutchness by DutchNews.nl
A straight-forward explanation for all the words and acronyms the Dutch love to confuse newcomers with so both your business and everyday lives will run smoothly, compiled by DutchNews.nl
www.dutchnews.nl
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