Geert Mak

Geert Mak (born December 4, 1946) is a Dutch journalist and non-fiction writer. He is known for his accessible and engaging historical narratives, often focusing on European history and the social impact of historical events on ordinary people.

Mak studied law and sociology at the Free University of Amsterdam and the University of Amsterdam. He began his career as a journalist for the Leeuwarder Courant and later worked for De Groene Amsterdammer and NRC Handelsblad.

His breakthrough came with the publication of Amsterdam: A Brief Life of the City (1994), a historical portrait of Amsterdam. This was followed by other critically acclaimed works, including:

• Red Hill: A Mining Community in Pennsylvania (1998)
• In Europe: Travels Through the Twentieth Century (2004), a sweeping account of 20th-century Europe told through personal stories and historical analysis. This book cemented his international reputation.
• The Bridge (2007), about the bridges and waterways of Europe.
• Crossing Europe (2011), a follow-up to In Europe, examining the state of the continent in the early 21st century.
• The Killing of History (2021), exploring the uses and abuses of history in contemporary society.

Mak's writing style is characterized by a blend of journalistic reporting, historical research, and personal reflection. He often incorporates interviews and anecdotes to bring historical events to life and to connect them to contemporary issues. He is considered a prominent voice in Dutch and European intellectual life, known for his insightful observations and commitment to historical understanding.

He has received numerous awards for his work, including the Henriette Roland Holst Prize (2000) and the Leipziger Buchpreis zur Europäischen Verständigung (2008).