Synopses & Reviews
A RICH AND REVEALING PORTRAIT OF A COUNTRY ON THE CUTTING EDGE
An alluring land famous for samba, soccer, supermodels, and stunning tropical beaches, Brazil was described as paradise on earth” by its first Portuguese explorers. Its annual Carnival is known the world over for its Dionysian revelry, and its Amazon rainforest is considered one of the planets most precious resources. Yet natures gifts have not always spelled national prosperity: two decades ago Brazil had a crippling debt and was emerging from a military dictatorship that censored journalists and oppressed dissenters. Today Brazil is not only the worlds eighth largest economy with a vibrant democracy; it has achieved energy independence, and its discovery of the largest oil field thus far this century should soon make it a major energy exporter. With its successful bid as host for the 2016 Olympics and the soccer World Cup in 2014, Brazil is at last ready to take its place on the global stage. What led to the transformation?
In this rich and textured account, New York Times reporter Larry Rohter gives us the definitive look at the countrys amazing rebirth. As the papers bureau chief in Rio, Rohter had a front-row seat for many of the dramatic changes that have unfolded in Brazil in recent years. Through interviews with every important political, business, cultural, and religious leader on the scene, Rohter delivers a sharp and fresh account of the countrys rapid and radical changes, uncovering:
Review
“Lively and hard-hitting…Rohters very contemporary narrative of the past four decades of Brazilian history is peppered with supporting tales and interviews from his reporting…accessible to a first-time tourist but also balanced and analytical enough for any Brazilian…Critical and probing, Brazil on the Rise will largely leave the reader with an affectionate portrait of Brazilians.”—The Christian Science Monitor
“For some time there has been a gap in the market for a good English book on Brazil. [Rohter] dusts off his old notebooks and finds stories that bring Brazil alive.”—The Economist“A powerful and well-informed argument about the state of Brazils economy and why the country with its vast array of natural resources now seems poised to achieve the world power status that has long eluded it…the long-awaited future has arrived.”—The Associated Press“A timely, readable study of Brazils history and current prospects…Offers an evenhanded consideration of some of Brazils most celebrated artifacts, including Carnaval, soccer and samba…With the recent granting of the 2016 Summer Olympics to Rio de Janeiro, Rohters accomplished overview proves a solid brush-up.”—Kirkus Reviews“[Rohter] successfully illuminates some of the more convoluted issues within Brazilian society. He not only addresses the stereotypical Brazilian topics of soccer, beaches, and the Amazon, but he also tackles such complex subjects as oil, race, and politics…Recommended.”—Library Journal"Offers fascinating journalistic engagement with the personalities and stories of modern Brazil...Recommended."--Choice
“No one delivers a more insightful and thoughtful look at Brazil than Larry Rohter. His grasp and deep knowledge of my country gives you a sense of its dynamic and vibrant culture as well as the rapid ascent of its economy and its transformation from dictatorship to democracy. Anyone wanting to understand Brazils place in the world today must first read this book.”--Paulo Coelho, author of The Alchemist
"It is not surprising that Larry Rohter, who has written with great insight on Brazil and South America for many years for The New York Times, has written a splendid and timely, indeed unrivaled, book on Brazil's meteoric economic success. It is a tour de force.”--Jagdish Bhagwati, University Professor, Columbia University and author of In Defense of Globalization “No one is better equipped than Larry Rohter to weigh and measure Brazil's remarkable transformation of recent years. Rohter knew the country in less happy times - of military dictatorship and failed economy. Then, by good fortune, as The New York Times's long-time bureau chief in Rio de Janeiro, he was again in place to record, explain and analyze Brazil's much-awaited emergence as an economic power and a self-confident democracy. This book is essential reading both for those interested in Brazil and Latin America as such and those seeking to understand the fast-changing international landscape of the early 21st century in which Brazil is now an important new player.” -- Alan Riding, author of Distant Neighbors: A Portrait of the Mexicans. "Brazil is well on its way to becoming a great economic power, but it also is a country with a long and complex history. Larry Rohter knows the country inside out, loves it, and yet is able to bring an objective lens to help us understand where Brazil is coming from, the opportunities and challenges that it faces today, and its manifest destiny. A must-read."--Anil K. Gupta, co-author of Getting China and India Right
Review
No one delivers a more insightful and thoughtful look at Brazil than Larry Rohter. His grasp and deep knowledge of my country gives you a sense of its dynamic and vibrant culture as well as the rapid ascent of its economy and its transformation from dictatorship to democracy. Anyone wanting to understand Brazils place in the world today must first read this book.”--Paulo Coelho, author of The Alchemist
"It is not surprising that Larry Rohter, who has written with great insight on Brazil and South America for many years for The New York Times, has written a splendid and timely, indeed unrivaled, book on Brazil's meteoric economic success. It is a tour de force.”--Jagdish Bhagwati, University Professor, Columbia University and author of In Defense of GlobalizationNo one is better equipped than Larry Rohter to weigh and measure Brazil's remarkable transformation of recent years. Rohter knew the country in less happy times - of military dictatorship and failed economy. Then, by good fortune, as The New York Times's long-time bureau chief in Rio de Janeiro, he was again in place to record, explain and analyze Brazil's much-awaited emergence as an economic power and a self-confident democracy. This book is essential reading both for those interested in Brazil and Latin America as such and those seeking to understand the fast-changing international landscape of the early 21st century in which Brazil is now an important new player.”--Alan Riding, author of Distant Neighbors: A Portrait of the Mexicans
Synopsis
Two decades ago Brazil had a debt that made some Third World countries blush, but today it has the world's eighth largest economy, poised to overtake France. It has achieved energy independence and, with the discovery of the largest oil field in the last century, is becoming a major exporter of crude oil to the United States. With its successful bid for the 2016 Olympics, Brazil, at last, is ready to take its place on the world stage. In this richly narrated and textured look at the country today, New York Times reporter Larry Rohter gives us the authoritative account of the culture and politics of a country that endlessly fascinates Americans. Rohter delivers the first modern look at todays Brazil, uncovering: * how Brazilians handle the burden of being custodians of the
Amazon rainforest; * Brazils latest exports, from the samba, supermodels, and
soccer, to airplane parts; * the myth of Brazils sexually charged culture, with three-
quarters of the population devoutly Roman Catholic; * how drug-controlled favelas thrive amidst the worlds
highest standard of living. Brazil continues to be a country fraught with contradictions which Rohter reveals through interviews with every important political business, cultural, and religious leader on the scene. Critics have said that he knows the country better than Brazilians themselves. This is a cutting-edge look at a country that will be a major player on the world stage coming years.
Synopsis
In this hugely praised narrative, New York Times reporter Larry Rohter takes the reader on a lively trip through Brazil's history, culture, and booming economy. Going beyond the popular stereotypes of samba, supermodels, and soccer, he shows us a stunning and varied landscape--from breathtaking tropical beaches to the lush and dangerous Amazon rainforest--and how a complex and vibrant people defy definition. He charts Brazil's amazing jump from a debtor nation to one of the world's fastest growing economies, unravels the myth of Brazil's sexually charged culture, and portrays in vivid color the underbelly of impoverished favelas. With Brazil leading the charge of the Latin American decade, this critically acclaimed history is the authoritative guide to understanding its meteoric rise.
About the Author
Larry Rohter served as a correspondent in Rio de Janeiro for fourteen years for Newsweek and later as The New York Times bureau chief. He is widely considered a top expert on Brazil. Currently he is a culture reporter for The New York Times and a commentator for Brazilian media. He lives in Hoboken, NJ.
Table of Contents
A History of Booms and Busts
Sin and Salvation South of the Equator
The Myth of a Racial Paradise
The Tropical Lifestyle
Creativity, Culture, and 'Cannibalism'
Industrial Giant, Agricultural Superpower
Energy to Burn: Petroleum, Ethanol, and Hydropower
The Amazon: Nationalism and Paranoia in the Jungle
Becoming a 'Serious Country'
Politics After Lula and FHC