Books

Wilbert van Vree’s books on meetings: one in English, available as a free pdf, and three Dutch titles that can still be ordered.

Cover Meetings, Manners and Civilization

Meetings, Manners and Civilization

Winner of the Norbert Elias Prize 2001

This is the first account of how meeting rules and behaviour have developed. It takes a historical approach, from medieval meetings to meetings of the future, and offers comparative research on the development of meeting behaviour: human behaviour during councils, assemblies, parliaments, business conferences and other meetings, formal and informal, held to discuss and arrange a common future. Read the foreword by Professor Stephen Mennell.

Printed copies are sold out. To request a free pdf version of the book, send an email to meetingsmanners@vergaderwijzer.nl.

“I learned a ton from this book and loved the historical perspective on meetings over time.”

“Stimulating and thought-provoking.”

“By focusing on meetings and meeting manners, Van Vree has opened a fascinating new window on the history of humankind.”

Books in Dutch

The following books are in Dutch and can be ordered below.

Omslag Van Vree's Vergaderwijzer

Van Vree’s Vergaderwijzer

2024 reprint · € 27.50 each, excluding shipping

The small classic for anyone who wants fewer and, above all, better meetings: golden tips, anecdotes and amusing illustrations, in tabbed sections on improving meeting culture, before, during and after the meeting, and digital and international meetings.

Omslag Debat- en vergaderwijzer voor gemeenteraden en raadsleden

Debat- en vergaderwijzer voor gemeenteraden en raadsleden

Pocket size, 84 pages · € 13.50 each, excluding shipping

A guide to debating and meeting for Dutch municipal councils, councillors and chairs.

Omslag Nederland als vergaderland

Nederland als vergaderland

Doctoral thesis, University of Amsterdam, 1994 · € 27.50 each, excluding shipping

The Dutch original of Meetings, Manners and Civilization: the history of meetings in the Netherlands from the Middle Ages to the present.

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