About the Author

Ben Coates was born in Britain in 1982, lives in Rotterdam with his Dutch wife, and now works for an international charity. During his career he has been a political advisor, corporate speechwriter, lobbyist and aid worker. He has written articles for numerous publications including the Guardian, Financial Times and Huffington Post. ben-coates.com

Reviews

In Why the Dutch are Different, a torch beam of scrutiny plays across the country's past and its lesser known foibles. Author Ben Coates has produced an insightful gem. - Scotsman - Books of the YearA book as quietly appealing as its subject and full of fascinating details. Coates is entirely convincing in his affectionate portrait. - ProspectVivid and informative. Coates intertwines the nation s journey to its modern iteration with his own adaptation to the Dutch lifestyle. An accomplished debut. - GeographicalI thoroughly recommend this book. Why the Dutch are Different provides the answers to all the questions I had but didn't dare ask about the Netherlands. I eagerly sat up late into the night reading, laughing often and enjoying the ride into my adopted homeland. - DutchNewsFascinating. Thoroughly researched and well thought out, Why the Dutch are Different takes us on a journey that goes beyond red-lit windows and Anne Frank to the true depths of the country. Ben Coates's day-to-day life sits effortlessly alongside deeper dives into history and folklore. A friendly read that strikes the right balance between teaching and entertaining. - The BookbagOne of the few books on our near-neighbour, Coates gets under the skin of a nation renowned for its liberalism. - The Bookseller