<p>The 17th century belonged to the Dutch and was an exciting era of commerce, discovery, and conflict-above all else, adventure. This first book of the Dutchman Trilogy is about adventure, triumph, conquest, failure, fighting-pirates, rioters, Christians, and Muslims. <em>The Dutch Century</em> is also about young love that became timeless, bonds of friendship that persisted lifetimes, and a raw exposition of what 17th century life and times were really like.</p>