Geert Mak
Encyclopedia
Geert Mak is a Dutch journalist and a non-fiction writer in the field of history. His ten books about Amsterdam
, Netherlands
and Europe
have earned him great popularity. His best-known work, In Europe, a combination of a travelogue through the continent of Europe and a history of the 20th century, has appeared in over a dozen languages. Geert Mak participates actively in Dutch public debate, as a staunch defender of the values of an open and tolerant society.
) and the University of Amsterdam (Universiteit van Amsterdam
). While still a student he acted as an assistant to the parliamentary party of the Pacifist Socialist Party
(PSP). From 1975 to 1985 he worked as an editor of the left-wing weekly De Groene Amsterdammer
, after which he spent some years as foreign correspondent for the progressive public broadcasting company VPRO
and as a city editor for the celebrated national daily newspaper NRC Handelsblad
.
In 1999 the NRC Handelsblad commissioned him to spend a year travelling through Europe, reporting on his travels in a daily column for the newspaper that later served as the basis for In Europe. From 2000 to 2003 he worked as professor of metropolitan problems, a chair endowed by the city of Amsterdam. His lack of academic training as a professional historian has provoked criticism from some quarters within that discipline. On the other hand, the Open University
awarded him an honorary doctorate in 2004 ‘for his important and original contribution to historiography’. Two of his books have been acclaimed ‘Book of the year’ by the Dutch public. In 2008 he received the Leipziger Buchpreis zum Europaïsche Verständigung for In Europe, and the French government has appointed him a member of the Légion d’ Honneur.
; 2007) and The Bridge. A Journey Between Orient and Occident (De brug; 2007, "Boekenweek
geschenk", Harvill Secker; 2008), an account of life on and around the Galata bridge in Istanbul
, ‘a travelogue covering 490 metres’, in the author’s own words.
In 2005 he wrote a controversial pamphlet in response to the assassination of the filmmaker Theo van Gogh
, Gedoemd tot kwetsbaarheid (Doomed to vulnerability) and the culture of fear
that he believed had taken root in the Netherlands. The essay caused considerable consternation, partly because Mak compared the propaganda technique of the film Submission
– linking the excesses committed by a few to the religion of an entire minority – to the imagery of Der Ewige Jude by Joseph Goebbels.
(14 July 2007). On the other hand, the Sunday Times wrote that In Europe was ‘undoubtedly a spectacular and beautifully crafted piece of writing’, and the Financial Times
praised Mak’s instinct for human stories: ‘Mak is the history teacher everyone should have had’. John Lukacs
saw in him ‘Europe’s portrait-painter, its impressionist, its poet-musician, the reader of its peoples’ minds.’
The work should be taken for what it is: something between journalism and travel literature. Publisher’s Weekly asks: “is it a history book, a travelogue, a memoir?”
Mak himself sees his work as journalism. In an interview with a Dutch journalism trade-journal he says: “my approach is journalistic. My books are filled with newspaper tricks”. Historians are generally cautious when it comes to judging Mak’s work. Hermann von der Dunk, emeritus professor of history at Utrecht University says about Mak: “it is well written, and historically correct, but it is not what I would call academic history. There is no analysis of historical development” (Academische Boekengids, March 2005).
A 35-part VPRO television series based on In Europe
prompted some historians to point to errors and to comment that the makers were ill-informed about current debates in the field of history (Historisch Nieuwsblad, December 2007), criticism that was in turn rebutted by Mak and other historians. Nonetheless, this same Historisch Nieuwsblad twice acclaimed him ‘historian of the year’.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
have earned him great popularity. His best-known work, In Europe, a combination of a travelogue through the continent of Europe and a history of the 20th century, has appeared in over a dozen languages. Geert Mak participates actively in Dutch public debate, as a staunch defender of the values of an open and tolerant society.
Life
Geert Mak studied constitutional law and the sociology of law at the Free University (Vrije UniversiteitVrije Universiteit
The Vrije Universiteit is a university in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The Dutch name is often abbreviated as VU and in English the university uses the name "VU University". The university is located on a compact urban campus in the southern part of Amsterdam in the Buitenveldert district...
) and the University of Amsterdam (Universiteit van Amsterdam
Universiteit van Amsterdam
The University of Amsterdam or the UvA is a public research university located in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Founded in 1632 as the Athenaeum Illustre by the scholars Gerardus Vossius and Caspar Barlaeus, it is the third-oldest university in the Netherlands...
). While still a student he acted as an assistant to the parliamentary party of the Pacifist Socialist Party
Pacifist Socialist Party
The Pacifist Socialist Party was a Dutch left-socialist political party. The PSP played a small role in Dutch politics. It is a predecessor of the GreenLeft.-Before 1957:...
(PSP). From 1975 to 1985 he worked as an editor of the left-wing weekly De Groene Amsterdammer
De Groene Amsterdammer
De Groene Amsterdammer is an independent Dutch weekly newsmagazine published in Amsterdam and distributed throughout the Netherlands. It is conventionally considered to be one of the four most influential written media in its sector, along with HP/De Tijd, Vrij Nederland and Elsevier.- History and...
, after which he spent some years as foreign correspondent for the progressive public broadcasting company VPRO
VPRO
The VPRO was established in the Netherlands in 1926 as a religious broadcasting organization. Falling under the Protestant pillar, it represented the Liberal Protestant current...
and as a city editor for the celebrated national daily newspaper NRC Handelsblad
NRC Handelsblad
NRC Handelsblad, often abbreviated to NRC, is a daily evening newspaper published in the Netherlands by NRC Media. The newspaper was created on October 1, 1970, from merger of the Nieuwe Rotterdamsche Courant and Algemeen Handelsblad . In 2006 a morning newspaper, nrc•next, was launched...
.
In 1999 the NRC Handelsblad commissioned him to spend a year travelling through Europe, reporting on his travels in a daily column for the newspaper that later served as the basis for In Europe. From 2000 to 2003 he worked as professor of metropolitan problems, a chair endowed by the city of Amsterdam. His lack of academic training as a professional historian has provoked criticism from some quarters within that discipline. On the other hand, the Open University
Open University
The Open University is a distance learning and research university founded by Royal Charter in the United Kingdom...
awarded him an honorary doctorate in 2004 ‘for his important and original contribution to historiography’. Two of his books have been acclaimed ‘Book of the year’ by the Dutch public. In 2008 he received the Leipziger Buchpreis zum Europaïsche Verständigung for In Europe, and the French government has appointed him a member of the Légion d’ Honneur.
Books
Geert Mak first became known to the general public with his book Jorwerd: the Death of the Village in the Late 20th Century (1996; orig. title Hoe God verdween uit Jorwerd) on the changing culture of a farming community in the 20th century, based on an account of a village in Friesland and the people who lived there. In Amsterdam: A brief life of a city(1995), he gave a lively account of the people of Amsterdam and their city down the centuries. De eeuw van mijn vader (My father’s century: 1999), a history of the Netherlands in the 20th century, based on letters and memories from Mak’s own family, became immensely popular, selling over half a million copies. Among the books he has published since then are In Europe. Travels through the twentieth century (In Europa; 2004, PantheonPantheon Books
Pantheon Books is an American imprint with editorial independence that is part of the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group.The current editor-in-chief at Pantheon Books is Dan Frank.-Overview:...
; 2007) and The Bridge. A Journey Between Orient and Occident (De brug; 2007, "Boekenweek
Boekenweek
In the Netherlands, the Boekenweek is an annual "week" of ten days dedicated to Dutch literature. It is held in March since 1932. Each Boekenweek has a theme. The beginning of the Boekenweek is marked by the Boekenbal , a gathering that is attended by writers and publishers...
geschenk", Harvill Secker; 2008), an account of life on and around the Galata bridge in Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
, ‘a travelogue covering 490 metres’, in the author’s own words.
In 2005 he wrote a controversial pamphlet in response to the assassination of the filmmaker Theo van Gogh
Theo van Gogh (film director)
Theodoor "Theo" van Gogh was a Dutch film director, film producer, columnist, author and actor.Van Gogh worked with the Somali-born writer Ayaan Hirsi Ali to produce the film Submission, which criticized the treatment of women in Islam and aroused controversy among Muslims...
, Gedoemd tot kwetsbaarheid (Doomed to vulnerability) and the culture of fear
Culture of fear
Culture of fear is a term used by certain scholars, writers, journalists and politicians who believe that some in society incite fear in the general public to achieve political goals, for example......
that he believed had taken root in the Netherlands. The essay caused considerable consternation, partly because Mak compared the propaganda technique of the film Submission
Submission
Submission is the acknowledgement of the legitimacy of the power of one's superior or superiors.Submission may also refer to:* Submission/Submitter , an Islamic organisation...
– linking the excesses committed by a few to the religion of an entire minority – to the imagery of Der Ewige Jude by Joseph Goebbels.
Reception In Europe
In Europe was the best-selling book by a Dutch author in the Netherlands in 2004, selling over 400,000 copies. The British reviews were generally enthusiastic, although for the professional historian or political scientist the book has little to offer: “In Europe hardly breaks new ground historically” writes Martin Woollacott in an otherwise positive review in The GuardianThe Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
(14 July 2007). On the other hand, the Sunday Times wrote that In Europe was ‘undoubtedly a spectacular and beautifully crafted piece of writing’, and the Financial Times
Financial Times
The Financial Times is an international business newspaper. It is a morning daily newspaper published in London and printed in 24 cities around the world. Its primary rival is the Wall Street Journal, published in New York City....
praised Mak’s instinct for human stories: ‘Mak is the history teacher everyone should have had’. John Lukacs
John Lukacs
John Adalbert Lukacs is a Hungarian-born American historian who has written more than thirty books, including Five Days in London, May 1940 and A New Republic...
saw in him ‘Europe’s portrait-painter, its impressionist, its poet-musician, the reader of its peoples’ minds.’
The work should be taken for what it is: something between journalism and travel literature. Publisher’s Weekly asks: “is it a history book, a travelogue, a memoir?”
Mak himself sees his work as journalism. In an interview with a Dutch journalism trade-journal he says: “my approach is journalistic. My books are filled with newspaper tricks”. Historians are generally cautious when it comes to judging Mak’s work. Hermann von der Dunk, emeritus professor of history at Utrecht University says about Mak: “it is well written, and historically correct, but it is not what I would call academic history. There is no analysis of historical development” (Academische Boekengids, March 2005).
A 35-part VPRO television series based on In Europe
In Europa (series)
In Europa is a series of television documentaries on Europe in the 20th century, based on the book with the same name by Dutch writer and historian Geert Mak. The series had a budget of 4 million Euros and was cofinanced by the Dutch Ministry of Interior Relations. Episodes are available for...
prompted some historians to point to errors and to comment that the makers were ill-informed about current debates in the field of history (Historisch Nieuwsblad, December 2007), criticism that was in turn rebutted by Mak and other historians. Nonetheless, this same Historisch Nieuwsblad twice acclaimed him ‘historian of the year’.