"The Dutch audiences were always great when we were here in the late sixties and early seventies. This was our home from home." Roger Waters, May 5th 2007.

Pink Floyd In De Polder (which translates to Pink Floyd In The Lowlands) is a fascinating and wonderfully illustrated book, published in The Netherlands recently. The book covers the very important Dutch (and Belgian) chapters in Pink Floyd's history, in the 40 years from 1967 onwards, but irrespective of the region covered, is a great look at the band's early performances on stage and TV.

Holland was the destination of the band's first appearance outside the UK. The relationship between Pink Floyd and the Netherlands remained close in the years 1967-1972, with many legendary gigs including the ones at the Paradiso and Concertgebouw in Amsterdam (the latter broadcast), and the Holland Pop Festival.

However, there's more than these widely known concerts, and the book covers this in detail.

There's the hastily arranged tours, and the last minute cancellations. There's of course also a number of gigs that appeared to be lost in time, but resurfaced during nearly fifteen years of research by our friend Charles Beterams, who has run the collectors store www.floydstuff.com for nearly ten years now. The book was written with the help of acclaimed journalist Robert Haagsma, who's been writing for several magazines including Aardschok, Revolver, and Record Collector, and has written books on music.

The subject of Pink Floyd In De Polder made the choice for a book written in Dutch language an obvious thing, but even for those of you that don't speak or read Dutch, the hardback bound book has much to offer. The 228 pages (22x22cm, or 9x9inch) are packed with nearly 150 images and pictures.

Most of them are previously unpublished, including the only known picture of Syd Barrett performing live with Pink Floyd in The Netherlands, the first ever concert photo of David Gilmour, as early as February 1968, and previously unseen pictures of the band taking the stage of Paradiso, only to announce that they aren't allowed to perform.

The book also includes exclusive colour shots of Pink Floyd's 1967 Fanclub TV appearance, The Man & The Journey tour, and more, much more. Furthermore Pink Floyd In De Polder also includes a great variety of original picture sleeves, tickets, handbills, posters. You name it, it's there.

Pink Floyd In De Polder is published by Aprilis, and is available from all good bookstores in the Netherlands. Since that wouldn't help most of you out very much, the book is also available directly from Charles at a price of 24,95 euros (plus 12 euros airmail postage for Europe, and 20 euros airmail postage for the rest of the world). Please This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for order details, and they will send you a detailed invoice by Paypal, which you can pay easily and safely with your credit card. Or visit www.floydstuff.com.

Please note that they are not planning an English edition of the book.