Het Haarlemmer-Meer-Boek

A vivid snapshot of early‑19th‑century Dutch ambition, this work records the heated parliamentary debate and technical proposals surrounding the plan to drain the Haarlemmer Meer. It weaves together official reports, maps and facsimiles with the impassioned pleas of engineers and landowners who feared flood and saw opportunity in reclaiming fertile ground.

Interlaced with striking poetry by a contemporary writer, the pamphlet captures both the practical challenges of dike construction and the emotional stakes of a community on the water’s edge. Listeners will hear the clash of political voices, the optimism of men like Leeghwater, and the lyrical warnings of “the Waterwolf” that haunt the marshlands. The blend of historical detail and literary flair offers a uniquely immersive glimpse into a pivotal moment when Holland grappled with its perpetual battle against the sea.