The book "History of the United Netherlands from the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Years' Truce, 1584" by the famous historian John Lothrop Motley is a detailed outline of the events that took place in the Netherlands at the beginning of the new century. The author reveals in detail the complex political and military events that accompanied the struggle of the Dutch people for freedom and independence from Spain. Motley reflects in a special way on important issues related to religious conflicts, the balance of power and the interaction between different political groups. He examines the key figures of that time, in particular William the Silent, who became a symbol of the national struggle. This book is an important source for understanding the history of the Netherlands and Europe as a whole. The author successfully combines facts and analysis, which makes it interesting both for historians and for the general public, who are interested in the history and political processes of the past.