Vlissinger Michiel, of Neerlands glorie ter zee: Tweede omgewerkte Druk.

A curious youngster once begged the author to write a story about the legendary Dutch admiral, and so this lively portrait of Michiel de Ruyter was born. It opens with the boy’s eager request and quickly moves to the hero’s humble beginnings as the mischievous son of a poor brewer’s family. While the narrative folds in known facts—his stint as a “busschieter” in Bergen op Zoom, his daring capture by the Spanish and his rope‑climbing escapades—it deliberately stays light, inviting readers of every age to share in the wonder of a national icon.

The tale proceeds through vivid, character‑driven scenes, peppered with spirited dialogue that captures the youthful energy of early‑Ruyter. He swaps tall tales with a stern “baas,” learns the value of work over play, and gathers a colorful cast of contemporaries who later become historic figures. Though the book shies away from strict scholarship, it sparks a love for Dutch maritime history and offers an entertaining glimpse into the making of a seafaring legend.