The History of Brazil

(Hardback)

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An introduction to the history of Brazil, from its origins to the 1990s. It emphasizes current issues and problems, including the country's return to democracy after more than two decades of harsh military rule and the economic consequences of adopting free-market policies as part of the creation of the global marketplace. Levine, a noted Brazilianist, explains the legacy of slavery on race relations, the stubborn persistence of barriers to upward mobility, and the characteristics of Brazil's exuberant culture. The author draws not only from a broad array of traditional sources but from oral histories and postings on the Internet. The history of Brazil unfolds in narrative chronological chapters beginning with the Portuguese conquest, then moving on to the colonial period, Independence, the 19th-century monarchy - the only one in Latin America - the Republic, the nationalist regime under Vargas, the eclipse of democracy under military rule in the 1960s and 1970s, and the democratically elected government under Cardoso, who was elected in 1998 to his second term. It also contains short biographical sketches of 40 prominent Brazilians, a glossary of Portuguese terms, and a bibliographical essay.

Reviews

Designed as a general introduction to the exceptionally complex nation of Brazil, Levine's book more than meets this challenge....Levine's political anaylsis of the rocky road to democracy is insightful, clear, and up-to-the-minute; his social analysis is equally strong....will be very useful for introductory purposes and as a general reference.-Choice
For those readers previously unfamiliar with Brazil, this is an excellent introduction. For those already well versed in the literature, this is a good resource and teaching tool. Furthermore, for any reader, the work raises pressing social questions about global market economy and wealth distribution in the 21st century.-Luso-Brazilian Review
This work provides a well-written account of Brazilian political, social, and cultural history for the general reader. It would be a good addition to any library developing a collection that includes the Latin American countries, or the world's larger countries in demographic, geographic, and economic terms.-ARBA
"For those readers previously unfamiliar with Brazil, this is an excellent introduction. For those already well versed in the literature, this is a good resource and teaching tool. Furthermore, for any reader, the work raises pressing social questions about global market economy and wealth distribution in the 21st century."-Luso-Brazilian Review
"This work provides a well-written account of Brazilian political, social, and cultural history for the general reader. It would be a good addition to any library developing a collection that includes the Latin American countries, or the world's larger countries in demographic, geographic, and economic terms."-ARBA
"Designed as a general introduction to the exceptionally complex nation of Brazil, Levine's book more than meets this challenge....Levine's political anaylsis of the rocky road to democracy is insightful, clear, and up-to-the-minute; his social analysis is equally strong....will be very useful for introductory purposes and as a general reference."-Choice

Author Bio

Robert M. Levine is director of Latin American Studies at the University of Miami, Coral Gables. He has written more than 20 books on Latin American history, has produced several original documentary videotapes on Latin American subjects, and is coeditor of the Luso-Brazilian Review.