Brazil On The Rise: The Story Of A Country Transformed (2010) - Plot & Excerpts
A good primer on recent Brazilian history & contemporary culture. Divided into chapters on specific topics: politics, energy, race, etc.; the division helps you find what you want to know quickly, and yet also points out how the book is essentially unfocused and themeless, unless you count boilerplate like "Country X is a country of change" as a theme. So it's worthwhile for facts about Brazil but only a primer for something else more focused. Larry Rohter is an important figure in American journalism.He is one of the few jounalist for the underground press who made it into the mainstream.In 1970 I decided he was the best writer in America.Find me another journalist who has not made errors of fact or judgement in 40 years.As it happens I lived in Rio at the same time as Rohter and find it significant that he would invest 15 years as the NYTimes correspondent in Rio.15 Years ago nobody knew or cared about Brazil."In 1991 Sting told me in an interview 'The idea that there can be truth in beauty is kind of missing ...but the Brazilians have kept it.'"How many romantics are left in American journalism who are going to pack it up and go to Rio searching for truth and beauty.Hunter Thompson visited Brazil and if he had been less drunk he might have staid and written this book."'Aquela lei nao pegou'",Brazilians will say,which means,"That law did'nt catch on".Rohter here shows perfect pitch for the gap beween American and Brazilian culture.Americans are the only people on earth who obey all traffic laws and Brazilians obey almost none.Americans see something sanctified about not just laws but rules.Brazlians,especially Cariocas were born to run rings aroud rules.'"The United States has millions of people who are not racist,but it is a racist country.Brazil has millions of people who are racists,but it is not a racist country.'"Rohter is quoting a Brazilian,a sentiment with which he disagrees,but again that is absolutely the way Brazilians see the matter.On what America and Brazil have in common:"They have carved out identities that stand in apposition to the vast Spanish-speaking mass just beyond their borders.They are also societies whose cornerstone is optimism...a feeling of living in a nation blessed by God,with a unique historical role to play."For my money,it does not get much better.
What do You think about Brazil On The Rise: The Story Of A Country Transformed (2010)?
Good introduction to the modern history of Brazil for the casual reader! Strong on cultural history.
—Klapa100
He is clearly very passionate about Brazil, but the book tends to meander.
—Melissa
Excellent account of current issues in Brazil, very well written.
—batool
