Life and Death of John of Barneveld, Advocate of Holland : with a view of the primary causes and movements of the Thirty Years' War, 1609-10

"The Life and Death of John of Barneveld, Advocate of Holland" by John Lothrop Motley is a historical look at John of Barneveld, a key leader in the Dutch Republic, and the political events connected to the Thirty Years' War and the Dutch fight for freedom from Spain. The book introduces Barneveld as a major player in creating the United Provinces, explaining his political plans and the careful balance between religion and government in the early 1600s. It shows the disagreements between Barneveld, who supported the government having more power than the church, and Maurice of Nassau, who was in charge of the military. The beginning of the book describes the political situation in Europe at the time, showing Barneveld's important role in diplomatic talks and changes at home that would lead to future conflicts in the Netherlands. The story shows how complex Barneveld's character and political path were, hinting at the sad results of his vision for the republic.