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Deconstructing Brazil: Beyond Carnival, Soccer and Girls in Small Bikinis
Understand the Brazil of today through its multicultural history and interactions. This book transcends stereotypes and will allow you to get to know the real Brazil, thanks to the guidance of a Brazilian interculturalist, psychologist, and executive coach. It is aimed at those who seek a deeper understanding of this rich and complex culture and its impact on personal and professional interactions. An essential tool for anyone living and working in Brazil, or anyone planning to move there.
136 pages, Paperback
First published August 7, 2015
46 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 17, 2015
This book took me by surprise. I started reading expecting to learn some fun facts about Brazil – a country I associated with soccer, sunshine and beautiful women in tiny bikinis, just as mentioned in the book’s title. A little over 100pages later, what I came away with was an insight into a country with a long, tragic history of slavery, loss of cultural identity of the indigenous people and an indifferent attitude by generations of Portuguese settlers who became Brazil’s ruling class.
Written by Simone Torres Costa, a Brazilian born psychologist and executive coach and global citizen, “Deconstructing Brazil” offers an historical and anthropological interpretation of a country and people who have been wrongly stereotyped.
The contents are clearly presented and supported by research and personal experiences. The author writes with a global perspective comparing Brazil to both its close and distant neighbours. She explains the development of Brazilian culture and society based on internal events and explains how this differed from countries that faced similar historical events in the same time period. A good example is the author’s coverage of slavery in Brazil in contrast to the United States – with slave populations, abolition of slavery, and post abolition rights of former slaves and their families.
The final chapters of the book focus on how the past influences present day Brazil – especially from the standpoint of expat managers and entrepreneurs wanting to understand the work attitudes of Brazilian employees. This book is undoubtedly a useful resource for expats relocating to Brazil, wanting to avoid frustrations and misunderstandings due to culture clashes.
In summary, “Deconstructing Brazil” is an educational and interesting read that goes far in explaining the real Brazil.
Written by Simone Torres Costa, a Brazilian born psychologist and executive coach and global citizen, “Deconstructing Brazil” offers an historical and anthropological interpretation of a country and people who have been wrongly stereotyped.
The contents are clearly presented and supported by research and personal experiences. The author writes with a global perspective comparing Brazil to both its close and distant neighbours. She explains the development of Brazilian culture and society based on internal events and explains how this differed from countries that faced similar historical events in the same time period. A good example is the author’s coverage of slavery in Brazil in contrast to the United States – with slave populations, abolition of slavery, and post abolition rights of former slaves and their families.
The final chapters of the book focus on how the past influences present day Brazil – especially from the standpoint of expat managers and entrepreneurs wanting to understand the work attitudes of Brazilian employees. This book is undoubtedly a useful resource for expats relocating to Brazil, wanting to avoid frustrations and misunderstandings due to culture clashes.
In summary, “Deconstructing Brazil” is an educational and interesting read that goes far in explaining the real Brazil.
August 11, 2015
Torres Costa gets behind the easy clichés of Brazilian history and culture in an erudite and insightful analysis of contemporary Brazil. A must-read for anyone wishing to live and work in South America’s largest nation.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews