Brazil: The Once and Future Country

by Marshall C. Eakin

As the most comprehensive introduction to Brazil available in English, The Once and Future Country shows Brazil to be a land of the marvellous and the mystical, the sublime and the tragic. Eakin describes a country defined by immense wealth surrounded by widespread poverty, a modern industrial infrastructure alongside an outmoded agricultural system, a largely white South and a Northeastern coast that is overwhelmingly of African descent. Eakin chronicles Brazil's development from its origins in the sixteenth century, when it was created as a by-product of European imperial expansion, to the present day. He takes the reader from the hovels of Sao Paolo to the pleasure palaces of Rio de Janeiro and all places in between to show the rich cultural mix that is Brazil. The Once and Future Country is a fascinating read that anyone interested in Brazil will want. It is also the perfect book for the traveller, armchair or otherwise, interested in this endlessly fascinating country.

Genres: Brazil, History, Nonfiction

317 pages, Paperback

First published June 15, 1997

Reviews

[Srivatsan Sridharan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good introductory book about Brazil. Professor Eakin has done a great job in summarizing the history, geography, politics and culture of the world's third largest democracy. Though the content is mostly factual and informative, the writing style is pleasant and good to read. There are hardly any moments that will bore you and make you put the book down. The thing that I really found interesting and enjoyable was Eakin's account of the history and evolution of this country. I'd definitely recommend this book if you are curious about magnificent country. At the same time, it isn't a best-selling riotously entertaining or thought-provoking type of non-fiction, so this book may not be a good one for you if you have no interest in knowing more about this country.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad but reads a bit like a “this happened, then this happened, then this happened” style of history book. Also fairly repetitive. Some interesting takeaways but could have been more succinct.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent overview of Brazil (up to the mid 90s) that attempts to explain the contradictions and challenges of Brazilian society up to today.