Lula of Brazil: The Story So Far

by Richard Bourne

Ex-President Lula of Brazil has a life that reads like a film script. The child of a dysfunctional family, his early life was one of poverty and chaos. In the 1970s, at a time when his country and continent were ruled by right-wing dictators, he switched from football-mad metalworker to militant trade union leader. Dissatisfied with the power of existing parties to bring about change, he founded the Partido dos Trabalhadores, the Workers Party. He was elected as president in 2002 and again in 2006. As a progressive leader in a globalizing world, he has walked a difficult tightrope in international relations with the US, Africa and the Middle East; and in trying to improve the lot of poor and black Brazilians at home. Lula of Brazil is an objective study of an unfinished political odyssey; the story of one man set against the contemporary history of a major emerging power. From climate change to inequality, Lula and his country are grappling with the greatest challenges facing the modern world.

Genres: Politics

299 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[May Ling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book to try to get a better understanding for this important character in Brazilian politics during the current millenium. It is actually pretty impressive how a person with such a humble beginning can become president of a nation that is incredibly heirarchical in its background.



While I do not get a sense that his domestic policy was so great, it sounds like his foreign policy was fantastic. The book does appear to attribute much of the improvements in export expansion to his work in courting China and using ignored regulation as bargaining chips. An interesting read for a quick background on Lula.

[Ramy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book does not cover Lula's second presidential term. However, it gives a fairly good overview of Brazilian politics in the second half of the 20th century, and how Lula's Workers Party came into existence and eventually to the presidency.

[Hans Hoffmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want to understand the current leader of Brazil as well as get a glimpse of an emerging economy I highly recommend this book

[Tomas Castro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good introduction to the man who has led Brazil in the past and leads it again today. Mr. Bourne provides a quick (if not detailed) short bio that is useful for non-Brazilians seeking to understand Lula. As a Brazilian myself, I did appreciate Bourne's analysis of Lula's character and especially his early career as a strike leader, which is often overshadowed by his time as a candidate and president. If you're looking for a short biography of an important politician, this is an excellent place to start.

[Rafael Nardini · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lula é o presidente que conseguiu passar mais tempo viajando do que governando. Parece impossível? Mas não é. Essa informação é do próprio professor Richard Boune, biografo oficial do presidente. Vale prestar atenção na agenda oficial do atual governante. Não é que o futuro repete o passado. É puro trambique!