Geert Mak
| Geert Ludzer Mak | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Born | Geert Mak 4 December 1946 Vlaardingen, Netherlands |
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Notable works | In Europa |
| Spouse | Mietsie Mak |
| Children | 2 daughters |
| Website | |
| www |
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Geert Ludzer Mak (born 4 December 1946 in Vlaardingen) is a Dutch journalist and a non-fiction writer in the field of history. His ten books about Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Europe have earned him great popularity. His best-known work, In Europe, a combination of a travelogue through the continent of Europe and a history of the 20th century, has appeared in over a dozen languages. Geert Mak participates actively in Dutch public debate, as a staunch defender of the values of an open and tolerant society.
Geert Mak studied constitutional law and the sociology of law at the Free University (Vrije Universiteit) and the University of Amsterdam (Universiteit van Amsterdam). In 1968, he was arrested for publishing a pamphlet in a student paper with the heading "Johnson oorlogsmisdadiger volgens de normen van Tokio en Neurenberg." ("Johnson war criminal according to the norms of Tokyo and Nuremberg."), referring to the Vietnam War that reached its peak during Johnson's presidency. Mak was accused of "insulting a friendly head of state", likely under American pressure due to the Cold War. He faced harsh sentences, including three weeks in jail, but ended up only having to pay 200 guilders. While still a student he acted as an assistant to the parliamentary party of the Pacifist Socialist Party (PSP).
From 1975 to 1985 he worked as an editor of the left-wing weekly De Groene Amsterdammer, after which he spent some years as foreign correspondent for the progressive public broadcasting company VPRO and as a city editor for the national daily newspaper NRC Handelsblad.
In 1999 the NRC Handelsblad commissioned him to spend a year travelling through Europe, reporting on his travels in a daily column for the newspaper that later served as the basis for In Europe. From 2000 to 2003 he worked as professor of metropolitan problems, a chair endowed by the city of Amsterdam. His lack of academic training as a professional historian has provoked criticism from some quarters within that discipline. On the other hand, the Open University awarded him an honorary doctorate in 2004 ‘for his important and original contribution to historiography’. Two of his books have been acclaimed ‘Book of the year’ by the Dutch public. In 2008 he received the Leipziger Buchpreis zur Europaïschen Verständigung for In Europe, and the French government has appointed him a member of the Légion d’ Honneur.
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