Book Launch #4

The second installment, ‘Toch is het mijn!’, will transport you to early 18th-century Amsterdam, where we unravel the intriguing life story of Aaltje Beeker (1707-1740). As the only child of the owners of a lively tavern on the Nieuwmarkt, precisely between the Dijkstraat and the Antoniebreestraat – the very spot where De Flesseman now stands – Aaltje appears destined for a bright future. What makes this book particularly special is that it offers a rare glimpse into the life of an ‘ordinary’ woman in the 18th century. Historical research into this group is notoriously difficult, as their lives were seldom recorded in the official archives, which were typically dominated by the narratives of the elite. However, an unexpected turn of events plunges Aaltje into a rollercoaster of challenges that will forever alter her life. Immerse yourself in this reconstruction and discover how Aaltje navigates a world full of uncertainty and surprises, a story that might otherwise have remained hidden forever.