Auke Kok book launch

In keeping with the month of May, master storyteller Auke Kok will give a lecture on his latest book, the revealing biography of Anton Mussert titled 'Mussert, Reis naar het kwaad'. Mussert's collaboration with the Germans was a complex affair of shuffling, despairing, giving in and(soms briefly) thwarting. This continued when he was allowed to call himself 'Leader of the Dutch people' in 1943. Did he echt believe in that? Would he really have become Nazi prime minister of a 'free' Netherlands? For his book, Auke spoke to family members and relatives of intimates of Anton Mussert and wrote a meticulous biography of a man, who ultimately succumbed to his ambition for honour. Take the journey into evil and judge for yourself.

Between 1990 and 2000, Auke Kok was editor, deputy editor and editor-in-chief ad interim of HP/De Tijd, then switched to Radio 1 Journaal as editorial director. In 2004, Kok established himself as an independent journalist and book writer. War, history, music and sports are recurring themes in his work, which is usually characterised by strong accents on the zeitgeist and a narrative, empathetic writing style.

In the opening programme, Corine Koek- Maasdam and Erik van Tilborg will talk briefly about their book:

Corine Koek - Maasdam wrote the book 'Lancaster LM508 SR-P', about the RAF bomber that crashed in Werkendam in June 1944, how it was salvaged and eventually received its own monument. A tribute to the eight-member crew.

Erik van Tilborg wrote 'Dit is Gorinchem' and 'Dit was Gorinchem' about striking buildings and objects in Gorinchem. Or was. Enhanced with numerous illustrations and maps that put the buildings in a new perspective, Erik offers the reader a fresh look at the local history of our beautiful fortified town.

After the interview, there will be an opportunity to have books signed and meet the authors in person.