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The Murky Shadow of the Golden Age. Historical-Ecological Reflections about Flooding and Economic Transformation in Ancien Régime Rijnland In the past as well as today, flooding and other water-related problems cannot be explained by isolating the physical dynamics of the landscape or the technological and institutional failure of society. In their innovative synthesis on the ancien régime water board of Rijnland, Milja van Tielhof and Petra van Dam are able to link continuing drainage and flooding problems as well as the – controlled – extension of lakes in the peat area and the apparent inability of the water board to adopt proper solutions, to economic choices with specific social consequences. This way, the authors of Waterstaat in stedenland, show us that the history of water boards remains a vital issue in the environmental history of the Low Countries.   This review is part of the discussion forum 'Waterstaat in stedenland' (Milja van Tielhof and Petra J. E. M. van Dam).