Brazil: Five Centuries of Change, 2nd Edition (Latin American Histories)

I intend to do a more comprehensive review of this book in the future (after I use it in a Brazilian Culture class this semester), but I just wanted to make some important comments that refer the the second edition of the book, since all previous reviews refer to the first edition, particularly those of Leonardo Alves and Victor A. Vyssotsky that are critical, and justly so, of Skidmore's book.In the 2009 (2nd) edition, Thomas E. Skidmore added an analysis of president Fernando Henrique Cardoso's second term as well as commentary on Lula's first term. He also "revamped" his "Suggestions for Further Reading" section (page xiii of the Preface). The author also added several images to the text "to relieve reader fatigue" (xiv).Most importantly, however, Skidmore writes in the Preface that "in response to withering criticism of my sloppy, incomplete, and sometimes flat wrong treatment of the colonial era, I have made major revisions to what used to be chapters 1 through 3 (rearranged in this edition's chapters 1 and 3) and added a completely new chapter (this edition's chapter 2)." (xiv)I hope this information is helpful to people that are considering buying this book. I would be interesting if the aforementioned reviewers could read the second edition and write subsequent reviews.July 20, 2011.

This is an excellent overview, clearly and simply written with little clutter, minutiae. The volume is slender and hits the highlights. It is written from a certain perspective (some Brazilians might disagree with the slant and attribution of credit for some aspects of the analysis). In particular, where the US fits into this history seems emphasized, which is probably important for an American audience. There is also an emphasis on economic history with data that is not often seen in these kinds of history.

Great value for the money.

Well written. Clear ,interestingIf you're interested in Brazil this the book to get

Excellent!

As someone looking for a concise overview of Brazilian history I found Thomas.E. Skidmore's book an excellent introduction. The prose is clear and analytical; and there are numerous graphs and diagrams that brilliantly illustrate some of the more difficult-to-digest statistics. Published in 1999 it is also (at the time of writing) the most up to date book on Brazilian history currently available: ending with President Fernando Henrique Cardoso's unprecedented election to a second term in office.However, all praise aside I must also make a few reservations. Anyone looking for a narrative history of Brazil will be disappointed: this book is for undergraduates and therefore reads like an academic textbook. It is also rather disproportionately balanced towards the modern. Only 89 pages are dedicated to Brazil's first 400 years of history; whilst almost 150 pages are given over to this century. Brazil's recent past has hinged almost exclusively on its economy and there is considerable economic analysis throughout the book. Those not familiar with the technicalities of economics (myself included) should be warned: it can be quite hard going!Reservations aside though, there is still plenty to praise in this book and it is certainly a worthy starting point for anyone interested in Brazil.

The two immediate drawbacks that any reader should be aware of is the scant coverage of the colonial period of Brazilian history, and the author's peculiar axe to grind.To the first, the entire period of Brazilian history to 1750 is covered in a brief chapter -- avoid this book if you are seeking much more than the most brief overviews of colonial history. The book is, without question, weighted rather heavily towards the recent history of Brazil.Secondly, the author seems to have a bit of an axe to grind, his statement on the original name of Brazil (pg. 19) gives a flavor of his bias: "The country's first name, Vera Cruz, or 'Land of the True Cross,' has mercifully sunk into oblivion." Such sneering remarks about a religious name, which simply means "True Cross," has little place in what attempts at being a sober, scholarly work. I shudder to think of what the author makes of the name of Sao Paulo, or Sao Vincente, or Salvador if ever asked.On the positive side, the work does have a number of rather useful statistical charts which are helpful. It is well designed, and a sturdy edition that will wear well.In all, a scholarly work too brief in its earlier chapters, and a bit too taken with overly judgmental and politically correct remarks. I think one can do better on the subject.

Tutto perfetto