Ons Amsterdam collects 750 years of stories

The book 'Ons Amsterdam 750 Jaar', written by the editors of the magazine Ons Amsterdam, offers a refreshing and accessible take on the history of the city. Instead of the familiar, often repeated events such as the Coronation Riots or the February Strike, the book tells smaller, but no less fascinating stories. It focuses on the people who often don't make it into the history books. From Rembrandt's black neighbours to the migrants from the former Dutch East Indies who moved to Geuzenveld in the 1950s with rock 'n' roll in their suitcases.

New stories

The book offers a wealth of surprising stories: the arrival of an elephant in the city, the fierce confrontation in Café Zincken between socialists and the police, and the remarkable history of the Greek Orthodox church. Rather than focusing solely on the traditional figures of the past, Amsterdam is presented through the eyes of ordinary yet influential people: workers, scientists, traders, slum landlords and many more.

A lovely gift

The editors of feitjes.amsterdam have duly labelled this book a pleasant easy read. The short stories are engaging and well written, which makes the book easy to get through, while at the same time it is packed with interesting facts and anecdotes. The book is full of images and beautifully produced. It is not only perfect to own as a lover of the city, but also a great gift for anyone who wants to learn more about the city and its diverse history.