Willem Assies : a life between books.

Willem Assies : una vida entre libros.

Willem's life was full of books. Wherever he was, he surrounded himself with books to feel at home. He was accompanied by books on all his trips. But it was the writing of books that he valued most. Each book marked an episode of his life. The book on social movements - of which Tabula Rasa publishes the chapter written by Willem - was his first important achievement, and unquestionably a culminating moment for him. Whenever Willem mentioned the book, his eyes shone with enthusiasm. I was really very proud of him - although he was the first to admit his failures (starting because his chapter was very long). There is no doubt that he enjoyed his creation immensely. Willem began working on this book with his colleagues and "henchmen" Ton Salman and Gerrit Burgwal when they were just beginning their doctorate at the CEDLA Institute in Amsterdam. The three worked on a research program on urban social movements in Latin America, led by Geert Banck and David Slater. Willem could now devote himself to what he liked best: read, think, discuss, write. Here, in this environment of intense intellectual activity, their talents could flourish. The ingredients of Willem's academic productivity were simple, but essential: good books, good company, good coffee, cigarettes and wine, good food and good music as an accompaniment to all that.