A potted history of northern exploration which culminates in Manhattan becoming Dutch in the early 1600s. It's not really much about Adriaen Block himself, probably because not much is known, but it affirms his place in the history of the New York area of the USA. It is good Van Loon writing. It is a delightful little 6x4 book of 62 pages. I'm very glad I was able to obtain it. ( )