De mannen van '80 aan het woord Een onderzoek vaar eenige beginselen van de "Nieuwe-Gids"-school.

The book offers a measured look at a circle of Dutch writers who rallied around the “Nieuwe‑Gids” movement in the 1880s. Drawing on a series of interviews, the compiler tries to capture how these authors understood their role as cultural guides, why they felt a duty to shape public taste, and what personal histories brought them to that self‑appointed mission. The introduction lays out the philosophical backdrop of the era, pointing out the tension between ideas and everyday life that shaped their creative output.

Through careful transcription of spoken fragments and a transparent editorial approach, the study reveals the diverse viewpoints within the group while highlighting the common thread of a shared sense of responsibility. Readers are invited to follow the investigator’s reflections on his own method, the limits of accessing inner convictions, and the broader significance of this literary “school” for Dutch cultural history.