{"product_id":"john-de-witt-statesman-of-the-true-freedom-paperback-9780521527088","title":"John de Witt; Statesman of the \"True Freedom\" (Paperback) 9780521527088","description":"\u003cfont face=\"Georgia\"\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"6\"\u003eJohn de Witt\u003c\/font\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cfont size=\"5\"\u003eStatesman of the \"True Freedom\"\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA biography of Holland's 'philosopher-king', the 'Grand Pensionary' John de Witt (1625–72).\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"4\"\u003eHerbert H. Rowen (Author)\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e9780521527088, Cambridge University Press\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003ePaperback, published 13 November 2003\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e248 pages\u003cbr\u003e21.7 x 13.8 x 1.8 cm, 0.34 kg\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eIf the combination of superb political skills and a powerful intelligence were enough to make a 'philosopher-king' such as Plato dreamed of, the Dutch 'Grand Pensionary' John de Witt (1625–72) would fit the prescription as well as any statesman in history. Manoeuvring among the powers of Europe in the period of France's growing ascendancy, and facing the bitter commercial and political rivalry of the English, he managed to preserve the eminent position the United Provinces had reached when Spain recognized their independence at Munster in 1648. Not until the kings of France and England combined against the Republic in 1672 did De Witt's political system, called the 'True Freedom' and consisting of the maximum autonomy of the provinces and the exclusion of Prince William III of Orange from high office, collapse during the French invasion, an event accompanied by the horrific assassination of De Witt and his brother Cornelius.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003ePreface\u003cbr\u003e Prologue\u003cbr\u003e 1. To the threshold, 1625–1650\u003cbr\u003e 2. Apprenticeship of power, 1651–1653\u003cbr\u003e 3. The first task, 1653–1654\u003cbr\u003e 4. The man of thought\u003cbr\u003e 5. Consolidation of the 'True Freedom', 1654–1660\u003cbr\u003e 6. The challenge of Stuart and Orange, 1660–1664\u003cbr\u003e 7. The humbling of the foe, 1665–1667\u003cbr\u003e 8. A snarling peace, 1665–1667\u003cbr\u003e 9. The reversal of alliances, 1667–1670\u003cbr\u003e 10. Against the tide, 1670–1672\u003cbr\u003e 11. Collapse of the 'True Freedom', March–August 1672\u003cbr\u003e 12. The worst of days, July–August 1672\u003cbr\u003e Epilogue\u003cbr\u003e A bibliographical essay\u003cbr\u003e Index.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eSubject Areas: Early modern history: c 1450\/1500 to c 1700 [\u003ca title=\"See our other books on Early modern history: c 1450\/1500 to c 1700\" href=\"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/search?q=%22Early%20modern%20history:%20c%201450\/1500%20to%20c%201700%20%5BHBLH%5D%22\"\u003eHBLH\u003c\/a\u003e], European history [\u003ca title=\"See our other books on European history\" href=\"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/search?q=%22European%20history%20%5BHBJD%5D%22\"\u003eHBJD\u003c\/a\u003e]\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003c\/font\u003e","brand":"Cambridge University Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45912953553176,"sku":"9780521527088","price":37.79,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0730\/2037\/5320\/products\/9780521527088i_264cbbdf-cbe0-49e4-8203-9142c9e1276c.jpg?v=1691368932","url":"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/products\/john-de-witt-statesman-of-the-true-freedom-paperback-9780521527088","provider":"Freshly Printed Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}