Brazil: Five Centuries of Change

by Thomas E. Skidmore

With a land mass larger than the continental United States, a unique culture that is part European, African, and indigenous, and the largest economy in Latin America, Brazil is one of the most important--yet one of the least understood--nations in the world.
Thomas Skidmore, a preeminent authority on Brazil, vividly traces the 500 years of Brazil's development. Its epic story begins in the wake of Vasco da Gama's historic circumnavigation of the globe, when another Portuguese vessel, commanded by Pedro Alvares Cabral, ran aground on the coast of Brazil
in April 1500. From there Skidmore probes Portugal's remarkable command of the vast country in the face of the advances of the Spanish, French, and Dutch colonial interests; Brazil's compromised independence in 1822; its evolution as the center of world coffee cultivation; and the creation of the
republic in the late nineteenth century. He also examines its unique forms of modernist art and literature, the dictatorship of Getulio Vargas and the military coups, and the liberal reforms of current President Fernando Henrique Cardoso. Informed by the most recent scholarship available, Brazil
explores the country's many ethnic diversity, racial democracy, a vibrant cultural life, and a wealth of natural resources. But, as Skidmore writes, the Brazilians must also grapple with a history of political instability and military rule, a deplorable environmental record, chronic
inflation, and international debt. An ideal choice for undergraduate and graduate courses in Latin American history, this eloquent and detailed look at Brazil will be the standard history of the country for years to come. .

Genres: History, Brazil, Nonfiction, Latin American History, Teaching, School, Politics

272 pages, Paperback

First published March 25, 1999

About the author

Thomas Elliott Skidmore was an American historian and scholar who specialized in Brazilian history.

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd recommend this book as the starting point for any English-speaking student or lay person interested in Brazilian history since 'discovery' by the Portuguese in 1500.
E. Bradford Burn's more-dense monograph 'A History of Brazil' is often touted as the standard text on the subject. However, though I'd certainly encourage any student of Brazil to read Burn's work, - alongside Boris Faust's abridged English-language monograph - I'd be inclined to favour this more-concise work by Skidmore. (My main problem with Burn's monograph is the paucity of citations.)

[Britta Stumpp · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fascinating read. I have become more and more intrigued by Brazil with each passing day due to my love for Brazilian dance and spiritual traditions. The history of Brazil is equally intriguing. Like for instance, I never knew Brazil was an Empire! Or that the entire Portuguese court, along with some 50 thousand couriers, military, etc. moved to Rio during the Napoleonic Wars! No other European monarch ever even visited their colonies in the New World, let alone set up their entire court there. Found myself more and more disappointed in my public school education which never gave a thought to anything south of the border in our "history" class! The actual writing is very dry and academic, but if you are purely seeking good info about Brazilian history, this is a great place to start.

[Saidal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am more interested in European colonial history and the book reviews that in a lot of detail. It's interesting that Brazil actually embarked on a plan to whiten their country via European immigration. This was at the time when scientific racism was on the rise in the United States and Brazilians looked at the strong North Atlantic nations and thought this was the way to industrialization and economic prosperity.

[Jay Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an overview of Brazil and for its 236 pages gives you a general overview of the history and direction of Brazil. While not a detailed work, I was not seeking a detailed treatise. The book was perfect for my needs and I have a little more background of a country, I knew little about.

[Matthew A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! Detailed history that covered political, economic, military, social, cultural, technological, and religious changes in the country. Drew upon this book lots as I wrote papers analyzing politico-economic conditions. Includes lots of entertaining insights about historical figures.

[Tori · Rating 1 out of 5]

So boring. I was required to read it but seriously it was terrible there needed to be more subsections and more chapters

[Dom Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

For class - decent but dull

[Dani Arribas-bel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book one week before visiting the country to get a bit of background on a then completely unknown part of the World. The book does a decent job at that. Starting with the Portuguese gives a long term perspective that I certainly enjoyed and gives the author the chance to dig into the the deep reasons of some of the main characteristics of today's Brazil. The are two main drawbacks I found: first, the book stops in 1999 (there's an updated version up to 2007 with the Lula rule, but not for the Kindle); second, although the book's not very dry, it has been written by a hardcore historian, not a journalist or traveler. Expect to get all the dates, names and events, but maybe not a good human reconstruction of what it was like to live in the Brazil of the past.

[Carlos · Rating 4 out of 5]

To understand the Brazil of today, one needs to know and comprehend the Brazil of yesterday. In this short work, Skidmore goes through the centuries painting a coherent picture of what Brazil's history has consisted in, focusing in it's most important events. While mostly a book about political and economical history, each chapter consistently includes a small section on the societal evolution through the referred period of time. Though concise, Skidmore's "Brazil" is an extremely serious and thorough account of Brazilian history, specially contemporary history. I would recommend it to Brazilians and non-Brazilians alike who are interested in Brazilian history.

[Kenneth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this book when I was preparing to move to the northeast of Brazil back in A.D. 2000.

After seven years of experiencing life in Brazil, I am finding it profitable to re-read. In a very readable manner, the book outlines the economic, social, and political changes over the last five centuries that have contributed to making Brazil what it is today.

I would say that if you have or will have any close contact with Brazil or Brazilians, this book (or one like it) is a must-read.

...

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not clear to me how on earth one distills this much history about this much nation into 250 pages, but Prof. Skidmore's made a very nice run on it. He bounds through the first 3 centuries rather rapidly, but has a very nice knack for telling traditional history. The majority of the book is on the 200 years since independence, and this is well done -- easy enough to read on the plane (e.g. en route to Sao Paulo) and yet still be able to remember enough to make sense of the city and the nation when you arrive.

[Genie]

I remember meeting a Brazilian at the World Social Forum in India, who spoke with such hope and passion about Lula their leader, a working class man, who was determined to redistribute land to the poor. It sounded amazing and honorable to do this on such a large scale. The second publication came out 2010, and includes a current update on what Lula has been doing in his second term. good and easy read!

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The organization is super problematic: we only learn that women have had the vote in Brazil since the 1930s as the main narrative approaches 1990, for instance. In general the history is quite superficial and just way too short. Also way too political, with little enough space devoted to cultural and regional history. In fact I don't even know why I'm giving it 4 stars. Probs just because the author taught at Brown.

[Ang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written book on the history of Brazil. The focus was on the last century of Brazilian History, which was helpful to understand current conditions in Brazil. I was impressed by the further resources at the end of the book for a more detailed look at particular parts of the history of this vast country.

[Mikael Glamheden · Rating 3 out of 5]

It gives a good overview of the entire history of Brazil from the arrival of the Portuguese to the end of the 20th century. It is a good read for anyone interested in learning more of why Brazil is as it is today. Enjoyed the book, but I thought that the last author focused a bit too much on economics for my taste during the last part of the book.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

Brief overview of the history of Brazil. Too brief on the first 200 years (prior to Independence). Decent job on Independence and the role of the monarchy in the early years, though it did not cover its overthrow in as much detail.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful reading for understanding where Brazil has come from and where it's heading. It is perhaps overly focused on the country's financial upheavals and short on information about the what has happened with the environment and the indigenous populations.

[Jimmy Tarlau · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good and short survey history of Brazil that was a good companion for our recent trip there. It makes me want to read more about the country

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

good social and economic history, if much more focused on the last 80 years than the early history, which was what I was interested in.

[Randi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book as I prepare for a vacation to Brazil

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a history textbook, it was a pretty good read. The end.