Brazil: The Fortunes of War

by Neill Lochery

When World War II erupted in 1939, Brazil seemed a world away. Lush, remote, and underdeveloped, the country and its capital of Rio de Janeiro lured international travelers seeking a respite from the drums of the war. “ at the end of civilization, as we know it,” claimed Orson Welles as he set out for the city in 1942. But Brazil’s bucolic reputation as a distant land of palm trees and pristine beaches masked a more complex reality—one that the country’s leaders were busily exploiting in a desperate gambit to secure Brazil’s place in the modern world.

In Brazil , acclaimed historian Neill Lochery reveals the secret history of the country’s involvement in World War II, showing how the cunning statecraft and economic opportunism of Brazil’s leaders transformed it into a regional superpower over the course of the war. Brazil’s natural resources and proximity to the United States made it strategically invaluable to both the Allies and the Axis, a fact that the country’s dictator, Getúlio Dornelles Vargas, keenly understood. In the war’s early years, Vargas and a handful of his close advisors dexterously played both sides against each other, generating enormous wealth for Brazil and fundamentally transforming its economy and infrastructure.

But Brazil’s cozy neutrality was not to last. Forced to choose sides, Vargas declared war on the Axis powers and sent 25,000 troops to the European theater. This Brazilian expeditionary force arrived too late—and was called home too early—to secure a significant role for Brazil in the postwar order. But within Brazil, at least, Vargas had made his mark, ensuring Rio’s emergence as a major international city and effectively remaking Brazil as a modern nation.

A fast-paced tale of war and diplomatic intrigue, Brazil reveals a long-buried chapter of World War II and the little-known origins of one of the world’s emerging economic powerhouses.

Genres: History, World War II, Nonfiction, Brazil, Politics

376 pages, Hardcover

First published June 3, 2014

About the author

Neill Lochery, PhD, is a world-renowned source on Israel, the Middle East, and Mediterranean history. He is the author of five books and countless newspaper and magazine articles. He regularly appears on television in the UK, the USA, and the Middle East. He is currently based at University College London and divides his time between London, Lisbon, and the Middle East.

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on Brazil during World War Two. There is much information here about the diplomacy between the Vargas government and the United States. It probably could have done more telling some war stories from Brazilian soldiers, but overall it was a really interesting look at life in mostly Rio de Janeiro during the war.

[Wyatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

In an excellent account of a subject to which I had not previously devoted much thought or study (Brazil immediately before, during, and after World War II), Lochery tells how Getúlio Vargas (with his daughter Alzira and foreign minister Osvaldo Aranha, among others) guided the country through this time period, playing the Axis and Allied powers against each other in the lead-up to the war in order to maximize Brazil's gains.

The author makes a compelling case that Brazil could have extracted more from their involvement in the war if they had done certain things differently (by committing to the Allied cause sooner, or by leaving their expeditionary force in Europe as peace-keepers after the war ended). Lochery's research has helped him craft a very readable narrative about the different factions in Brazil during this era, and about the relationships among the various diplomats and government officials, with figures like Orson Welles, Nelson Rockefeller, and FDR all playing a role.

My only real criticism is that Lochery does seem to skip over (with comparatively little information) the immediate postwar period, during which Vargas is deposed, resuming his focus when Vargas returns to power after being democratically elected.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Brazil' is an interesting read, focusing primarily on the Vargas government, the president himself and the diplomatic machinations of the late thirties until the 50s, including predominantly Brazil's (late) entry in the war. This isn't a military history however, and there is little focus on the experience of Brazilian soldiers in Italy. Brazil's role in the SWW is little known so this does fill that gap whilst also explaining the growing influence of Brazil on the world stage. The book is a little slow going at times and heavy on detail, and sometimes a little repetitive. But it is highly informative and probably one of the few English books out there to look at Brazil's role in the war and it's internal politics of the period. I would recommend this to those looking to better understand modern Brazilian history and politics as well as those looking for a new outlook on the countries on the periphery of the SWW.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

The subtitle might lead you to believe that this book is equally concerned with Brazil's role in WWII and how that war shaped the future of that country. In fact, its primary focus is on the socio-economic state of Brazil during the initial reign of President Vargas (which coincided with the War and its lead-up), as well as on Vargas, himself. So, mostly the 1930s and '40s. I'd initially hoped for a broader sweep, but this narrowed focus allows Lochery to shine as a storyteller, placing history into lively scenes that read almost like historical fiction. And, at certain moments, I wondered how much he, um, "elaborated" on certain tiny details of dialog and action. These issues aside, this is an engaging and enlightening book about a country on the verge of modernity and a larger role in the world.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before reading this book I hadn't realized that Brazil, especially its military, was cozy with Hitler in early years of World War II. This engaging tome describes U.S. diplomatic efforts to woo President (in reality, Dictator) Vargas and his associates to the Allied cause. Slow going, but by 1944 Brazil permitted establishment of U.S. air bases on its soil and then contributed troops to fight in Europe. In the end, the WWII experience enabled the nation to "grow up." It morphed into democracy and later to become a continental political leader as well as industrial powerhouse.

[Viviane Cordeiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apesar da auréola angelical dedicada à Getúlio Vargas pelo autor, trata-se de uma das obras mais completas sobre a participação brasileira na WWII, desde o período pré-guerra até o pós, passando pela falta de tato e a ganância brasileira em conflitos de grande escala, a participação da FEB - e sua criação -, além de dar nomes a vozes governamentais brasileiras da época que são, até o momento, desconhecidas pelo grande público.

[James Pandjiris]

This is a detailed overview of Brazil's evolving relationship with the United States prior to and during World War II. In addition, the author discusses the relationship, unknown to me, between Brazil and Nazi Germany. The text enumerated the large pro Nazi population of immigrants in Brazil and the effect on Brazil's government policies.

While I found the overall information interesting from a historical viewpoint, I felt discussions of certain topics to be too detailed.

[Nishant Pappireddi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on Brazil in WW2.

[Matthew De · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brazil: Fortunes of War was a very well written and researched, I enjoyed reading about a nation that was involved in WWII, but often gets overlooked in the history of the Second World War.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really solid history of the political scenes before, during, and after WWII. Author does well to lay our the different positions of different factions, successes and missed opportunities in negotiations, and ultimately Brazil's decision to contribute ground troops to the European theatre. What was missing is discussion on the impact to German, Italian, and especially Japanese immigrants in Brazil, as well as how Japan and Japanese strategy played (or did not play) into Brazil's thinking.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

A most interesting account of World War II's effect on Brazil, including its direct contribution to the Allied effort. It's a story not well known outside of Brazil, but essential to know in seeing how Brazil has become one of the world's major emerging economies.

[Gary Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read and insight to Brazil’s emergence on the world stage through its actions as a country during WWII. Also illustrates how all to often great leaders make, what seem like, uncharacteristic mistakes that lead to huge consequences.

[DEGUNST · Rating 3 out of 5]

IB History core (I hate reading for school)

[Kara]

Learned about Rio in the 1940s; insight into Brazil’s economic and political rise thanks to its role in WWII.