This comprehensive set on contemporary Brazil is useful to students, business people, government officials, artists, and tourists—in short, anyone traveling to or wishing to know more about this South American nation.
Brazil, one of the world's largest and most populous countries, features a dynamic economy and a rich culture that increasingly fascinates people throughout the world. What makes this vital and vibrant nation tick? How do its institutions function? How do its people work—and play?
The two-volume Brazil Today: An Encyclopedia of Life in the Republic is an introductory work intended for those in search of basic information about Brazilian institutions, businesses, social issues, and culture. At the same time, it is a work that reflects the nation's geographic, demographic, economic, and cultural diversity.
The wide-reaching encyclopedia offers an entry for each Brazilian state with information about the land, climate, economy, and culture. It also offers extensive coverage of the country's political parties and leaders, its governmental and non-governmental organizations, and the environmental issues and social problems that shape Brazilian politics today. In addition, the work pays considerable attention to the economy and business through entries on industry, agriculture, commerce, banking, and economic policies. Finally, there are entries that illuminate various aspects of Brazil's culture, including the nation's social movements, religion, education, music, cuisine, and literature, as well as personalities from sports and entertainment.
Features
• 250 A–Z entries on contemporary government, the economic and business sectors, social movements, environmental issues, culture, and more
• Dozens of photographs of geographic features, landmarks, architecture, the urban landscape, industrial and agricultural enterprises, and personalities from politics, entertainment, and sports
• Cross-listings and indexes to guide readers to related topics
Highlights
• Assembles contributions from more than 50 experts in Brazilian studies, drawn primarily from academic institutions in Brazil and the United States
• Provides a broad range of basic information that will prove invaluable to anyone new to Brazilian studies
• Offers expert, critical analysis of contemporary political, economic, social, and environmental issues in Brazil
• Includes entries on popular culture, entertainment, and sports that will help readers understand Brazilian culture
John J. Crocitti, PhD, is professor of history at San Diego Mesa College. He coedited The Brazil Reader: History, Culture, Politics, has published scholarly articles related to Brazilian history, and has lived and traveled extensively in Brazil. He earned his degree in history from the University of Miami.
Monique M. Vallance, PhD, earned her doctoral degree in the history of Portugal at the University of California, Santa Barbara, but her scholastic and research interests also focus on Brazil, particularly in the early modern period. She is the author of D. Luisa de Gusmão and served as assistant editor for ABC-CLIO's World History Encyclopedia.
Reviews
"The strength of this set is that it provides descriptions of traditional topics and connects them to Brazilian life and culture.
Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates through researchers/faculty."—Choice
"Written in an accessible style but with enough detail and depth to qualify as scholarly, this is an excellent introductory resource that would be a useful addition to high-school, college, or public libraries."—Booklist
