The book 'Post-War Reconstruction the Netherlands 1945-1965. The Future of a Bright and Brutal Heritage' presents an overview of the structures of the resurgent Netherlands and discusses the significance of the heritage of Reconstruction for the current task of transformation and repurposing. Europe came out of World War II badly battered. Despite the extent, poverty and considerable war damage, the Netherlands tackled reconstruction energetically. Bombed-out cities and villages rose from the rubble and, thanks to centralized control, the Netherlands was reorganized spatially. Radical innovations also took place in the economic and social spheres. The sense of optimism led to a surprisingly great diversity in architecture, urban planning and landscaping. The application of new techniques and materials led to extraordinary experiments. Moreover, many structures were provided with monumental art, with architects and artists working closely together. The reconstruction of the Netherlands in the years 1945-1965 was an achievement of stature.