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If 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. ... Read more

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Originally published in 1885.This volume from the Cornell University Library's print collections was scanned on an APT BookScan and converted to JPG 2000 format by Kirtas Technologies.All titles scanned cover to cover and pages may include marks notations and other marginalia present in the original volume. ... Read more

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A deceptively simple story and the shortest of Dumas's most famous novels, The Black Tulip (1850) weaves historical events surrounding a brutal murder into a tale of romantic love.Set in Holland in 1672, this timeless political allegory draws on the violence and crimes of history, making a case against tyranny and creating a symbol of justice and tolerance: the fateful tulipa negra. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

An Exciting and Romantic Tale
In "The Black Tulip", Alexandre Dumas proves again his ability to mix adventure and romance to create an exciting and romantic tale.Although Dumas may have distorted history significantly in this story, the image of late 17th century Holland which he presents is accurate and vividenough to give the reader a lasting impression of society and culture inthis period.

The execution of Jann and Cornelius De Witte and theromance between Van Baerle and Rosa are portrayed with such detail thatreaders are not likely to forget this book.I strongly recommend this taleto any who love adventure, history and romance.

My thoughts on the book, The Black Tulip.
Yes, William of Orange is very much like the Cardinal in The Three Musketeers.I read a novel on Alexandre Dumas called The King of Paris.This novel claims he was often accused of publishing other people's works. He did this just to get them published under the Dumas name.However, thisbook called The Black Tulip was written by no one other than Dumas.TheDumas' were decendants of French Huguenots as were the DeWitt(e)s.Manypersecuted Calvinist families fled France to the low countries (Holland). Dumas' interest in my ancestry compelled him to write a historical novelusing true events.It is said that this was not a case where Catholicspersecuted the Protestants, but two Calvinist parties in a conflict.TheHouse of Orange fought to remain under monarchy rule while the DeWittsfought to advocate a free republic. It is also said that the man accused ofcausing this rioting mob, was later paid a royal pension. We DeWittsdropped the e, it was silent anyways.Our reunions claim a common ancestornamed Tjerck C. DeWitt was a first cousin to Johan and Cornelious. Tjerck's father was Nicholas and he had a brother Jacob.Jacob was thefather of the two brother DeWitts hacked to pieces in August of 1672. Now,the French Philosopher Voltaire used the two brother DeWitts in hiswritings.Once in explaining a doctorine of Hell.Perhaps Dumas, theornry cus, was simply trying to outdo Voltaire. Mr. Dumas was a greatphilosopher, protestant and man to me.

Everyone has an off day
I find it amazing that the same man who wrote such literary masterpieces as "The Count of Monte Cristo" and "The Three Musketeers" could also write "The Black Tulip." I can onlyassume that it was written either very early, or very late in Dumas'career, or that he really needed the money.

"The Black Tulip"is the story of revolutionary Holland in the 17th century, and howCornelius, the Godson of a political leader killed by angryrevolutionaries, is wrongfully imprisoned based on the anonymous accusationof his next door neighbor, who covets Cornelius's ability to growexceptional tulips. The story revolves around Cornelius who is forced tochoose between which is more important to him: his love of tulips; or thelove of Rosa, a simple peasant girl who befriended him in prison.

That'sit.

Now, I can easily understand how, due to cultural differences, thecultivation of Tulips might have been a more significant part ofseventeenth century life than it is today, but even so, its a pretty blandtopic. Yeah, if the only other choice you're presented with is the new JohnGrisham best-seller and you're faced with a two-hour layover in NationalAirport, this book will definately hold its own -- but I don't thinkthere's enough plot in the book to maintain a even a low-budgetMovie-of-the-Week on TBS.

A great book, a little bit different from Dumas style
This is a great book. I love Dumas' writting and this is an example of the variety of situations that he can handle in his stories. I read it in spanish (I'm mexican) and i loved the elegance in the style and the customs. Don't you think William of Orange is similar in some way to Cardinal Richelieu from "Three musketeers"?

Adventure, romance, and ..... tulips?
This is a wonderful story about the 'tulipmania' of the 1600's and also a staggering look at the violence and chaos of the time. It's central character is young Doctor Cornelius Van Baerle, who is as happy as can be in his own little world of growing tulips and inventing new colors for the flower. He thinks himself void of all enemies, but of course, we know better. There is then an announcement that says that anyone who invents the Black Tulip first, wins a huge monetary award and the recognition the new flower will bring to the winner. This sends all tulips-fanciers everywhere into frantic competiton to see who can grow the Grand Black Tulip. Then, as Cornelius finally perfects his Black Tulip, he is suddenly arrested and sentenced to be executed as an accomplice to the 'traitors' John and Cornelius De Witte. I thought this story was very exciting and though you might think a story that focuses on a flower is strange, if anything, it adds to the charm. There are very interesing characters who are clever and endearing, and whom you care about. I recommend this book to all Dumas fans, adventure lovers, romanticists, and even florists, if you like ... Read more

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This digital edition is special in that it has chapter navigation links. Just go to the table of contents, and click on any chapter title. You are there! Additionally, at the top of each chapter page, you can click on the title with the 5-way controller to return to the table of contents.

Generally, to get to the table of contents from inside the book, just click "Menu" with the 5-way controller, and then select "Table of Contents".

Ideal for students and classics affectionados who want to turn to a chapter quickly.

View full-size screen shot images of pages from the book on Amazon's product gallery page at http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-media/product-gallery/B003BNZ7QU/

Questions, comments ~~> Contact the publisher at info@DianaDoesIt.com

Free samples ~~> Visit www.DianaDoesIt.com ... Read more

Product Description
A deceptively simple story and the shortest of Dumas'smost famous novels, The Black Tulip (1850) weaveshistorical events surrounding a brutal murder into atale of romantic love.Set in Holland in 1672, thistimeless political allegory draws on the violence andcrimes of history, making a case against tyranny andcreating a symbol of justice and tolerance: the fatefultulipa negra. ... Read more

Product Description
A deceptively simple story and the shortest of Dumas's most famous novels, The Black Tulip (1850) weaves historical events surrounding a brutal murder into a tale of romantic love.Set in Holland in 1672, this timeless political allegory draws on the violence and crimes of history, making a case against tyranny and creating a symbol of justice and tolerance: the fateful tulipa negra. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

A Bit Slow at the Outset But Still a Wonderful Affordable eBook Classic
If you've read any of Dumas' other novels you'll probably like this one. It begins rather slowly and without drama but the intensity quickly builds as does the intrigue and violence. Writing reviews about mysteries is challenging because I don't want to give too much away but I do want to encourage fans of Dumas' other works, Edgar Allan Poe's short stories, and those who just enjoy period literature to read this book because it really is a good one.

The characters are lively and there is even a strong secondary female character. Dumas' writing, while not overly emotional in and of itself, definitely provokes emotion in defense of his strong characters. The villian is repulsive and unlikeable while the soon to be identified hero is awkwardly charming and by turns wiley.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, but in the spirit of full disclosure I was an English major that primarily dealt with British literature so perhaps that's why I enjoyed this book so much. For non-English majors this book might be too stilted or old timey but for anyone who enjoys mysteries, suspense, or gardening this book is a great one to download.

The Black Tulip is a minor classic form the pen of Dumas !
Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870) will forever be known as a great French novelist. His greatest work is The Three Musketeers followed closely by The Count of Monte Cristo and countless other works. One of his last great novels is "The Black Tulip" of 1850. In this short, tense and excciting novel we learn much about Holland, tulips and the power of love.
The novel is set in the seventeenth century when Holland was in chaos due to the war between the Republicans and supporters of the House of Orange. The de Wette brothers are executed by a mob of Orangemen. Cornelius the namesake of Cornelius de Wette and his godson is accused of being in league with the De Wette brothers (accused of being in cahoots with the French enemies of the Dutch Republic). He is a naive, intellectual doctor who has no interest in politics preferring, like Voltaire, to tend his garden at home!
. Tulipmania was rife in seventeenth century Holland. His next door neighbor an evil man named Boxel is envious of Cornelius' ability to grow prize winning tulips. He turns him over to the authorities claming he is a traitor who received secret letters from the recently murdered De Wette brothers. Cornelius is condemned to death as a traitor to the Dutch Republic.
Cornelius has his head placed on the executioner's block but is reprieved at the last minute by William the new ruler of Holland. He is imprisoned quickly falling in love with Rose a young Frisian girl whose father is the notorious jailor Gryphun. He and rose seek to grow a pure black tulip which will, hopefully, win them $100,000
in prize money at the great Haarlem flower fair.
After a series of adventures the brave Rose wins a pardon for Cornelius. The couple are wed. The evil Boxel dies
and all is well. The novel is reminiscent of a fairy tale story where good is rewarded and evil is punished.
The Black Tulip is a short novel of 200 pages. It is exciting as we read to see what will develop with Rose and Cornelius as they grow the tulip and fall in love. At one juncture, Rose is angry at Cornelius for loving the tulip more than he does her! This lover's quarrel ends happily as the joyous couple receive the award for their amazing black tulip and triumph over adversity. Rose and Cornelius are both loving characters for whom we care and hope for as the pages are rapidly turned leaving us on the edge of our seats!
Alexandre Dumas was a deft author of countless adventures and intriguing political tales which will always be enjoyed for their romanticism, suspense and pure escapism. As a 21st century reader you will enjoy this booksaluting Dumas for his literary genius! The Black Tulip is a flower to be savored as the reader is transported to a long ago and far away Holland! Enjoy!

The Song of the Flowers
The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas. Published by MobileReference (mobi)

This book is a thing of beauty, perhaps the tulip itself is a simple microcosm of the book, to start off it appears to be nothing special, but in the hands of someone who is aware of its true worth it is as priceless as the world itself.

17th century setting
This purchase was made mainly because of my interest in the DeWitt brothers, -and even more so, the 17th century. It is well written, for the time.It rather reminded me of Abbott's history books, insomuch as it was simply put, but still a good story.This, of course, is fiction based on facts, as I understand it. It was just something I wanted, and I read it, and plan to keep it in my library. It does deliver a climate of that time and place, mixed with some fairly intriguing suspense about tulips. I would like to have met the (well-known) author.Mickey

Still a hit
I bought this book for my daughter, who rarely reads fiction. I recall The Black Tulip as light,humorous and of historical interest. This edition is very attractive. ... Read more

Product Description
General Books publication date: 2009Original publication date: 1837Original Publisher: Carey, Lea and BlanchardNotes: This is a black and white OCR reprint of the original. It has no illustrations and there may be typos or missing text.When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million books for free.Excerpt: Considering the question in regard to equity, much weak and unsubstantial reasoning has been used -- sometimes by judges to mislead a jury, and sometimes by advocates in defence of their client -- in order to show that men in particular ranks and and classes in society are compelled by circumstances to commit this act: honour has been talked of, and the prejudices of society, and the necessity for there being some punishment for offences of which the law does not take cognizance. Bat are we to hear such arguments maintained in the very temple of justice itself -- before that tribunal where there should be no distinction of persons, of classes, of professions? -- are we to be told, ay, and in the very sanctuary where equity should reign supreme, from, every thought or consideration should be banished but that of rendering equal justice, are we to be told, that that which is murder in a labouring man, that which would doom him to ignominy and a disgraceful death, shall, in a man who wears a better coat, and works not with his hands, be considered as an untoward event, after which he is not only suffered to go free and unchastised, but is sent forth with the mingled pity and admiration of those, who had they kept their oaths, and remembered their duty to God and man, would have sent him to the gallows? If the law be defective in punishing certain offences, let the aw be amended; but let no man tike it into his own hands.In whatever way we consider the question, it becomes more and more evident what is the duty, and ought to be the conduct of legislators and j... ... Read more

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General Books publication date: 2009Original publication date: 1856Original Publisher: Pudney ... Read more

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Past and present, from the time of the Indians until today. A history of Aruba. ... Read more