The Brazilian Empire: Myths and Histories

by Emília Viotti da Costa

This classic work is must reading for anyone who would understand Brazil and Latin America, past and present. First published in 1985 and now expanded to include a new chapter on women in Brazilian history, the book explores the social, political, economic, and intellectual currents that shaped nineteenth-century Brazil and whose reverberations continue to be felt throughout contemporary Brazilian society.

Placing her findings in a rich comparative context with regard to U.S. history, Emilia Viotti da Costa concentrates on crucial moments in Brazilian history to shed light on a number of vexing Why in a nation so rich in material resources is there so much poverty? How was slavery abolished without bloodshed in a country where slaves had represented the main labor force for almost four hundred years? Why did self-described liberal elites twice lead the country toward authoritarian regimes? In exploring these and other puzzles, she uncovers the realities behind many of the persistent myths surrounding the Brazilian empire.

Genres: History, Brazil, Latin American History, Nonfiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1985

About the author

Emília Viotti da Costa foi uma historiadora e professora brasileira. Autora de vários livros, entre eles Da Senzala à Colônia, publicado pela Editora UNESP, que aborda a transição do trabalho escravo ao livre na zona cafeeira paulista e é considerado referência obrigatória para estudiosos do período.

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for a history class and while I would say it is on the dry side of history books I still enjoyed it. The book was fully of information and I would recommend it to anyone looking for some base line knowledge of Brazil

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good introduction to the history of Brazil.

[Felipe Lange · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is very interesting, however, it still uses the same old historiography regarding the Brazilian economy, such as the one that says that Brazil's a simple subsistence economy. However, it is a good book to read, but you must know that nowadays there are better Brazilian economic historiographies, such as the works published by Jorge Caldeira.

[Garret Shields · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collection of quality essays on the era of the Brazilian Empire. The addition of the essay on women is a quality addition in this newest edition.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

An good topical history of the Brazilian empire. It doesn't present any radical thesis, though it challenges a couple long-held myths, and its overall structure isn't chronological.