Voyages of Adriaan Van Berkel to Guiana

Martijn van den Bel, Lodewijk Hulsman, Lodewijk Wagenaar

This book provides a new English translation but also the first transcription of the 1695 text by Van Berkel. These two texts are accompanied by an extensive glossary and an introduction detailing the historic context of the Zealander and WIC presence in Guyana during the 17th century. Additional archival research in the Netherlands also uncovered the true identity of Adriaan van Berkel who until now remained unknown. Finally, Lodewijk Wagenaar provided a preface demonstrating insight in the business of the Amsterdam editor's houses of this century which is at the very heart of modern travel writing and reveals how the second part of the book on Suriname was edited. In short, this book provides an important transcription and translation of the early colonial history of Guyana and that of the Netherlands during the 17th century in the Western Guianas..