Rating: 
Summary: Brazil: this book caught it!
Review: Being a Brazilian myself, reading this book was like revisiting a very well known place, with the help of a different and outstanding "tourist guide". I could see my country, its history, its past and its present through highly qualified and sensitive eyes. Page's book is a brilliant analysis for a complex society. He gets exactly what is it that makes us Brazilians: diversity, multiplicity of influences, variety, lack of clear limits, lack of clear boundaries. I think Brazil is unpredictable, difficult to catch, even for people that have lived there all their lives. Page got the main traits, the most important aspects of Brazilian personality, the features that really make us Brazilians. Of course, one does not agree with everything that is written in the book. And, as a Brazilian, it is not easy to read the chapter about "the culture of brutality", for example. Also the author has some kind of "bias", probably related to the places where he lived in Brazil, towards Rio or Pernambuco (I am from Bahia, I can't help complaining...! If you read the book, you'll understand). But when my friends from other countries - usually curious and amazed about what they hear and see on the news - ask me what Brazil is, I have no doubts about where to send them to find an answer...
Rating:
Summary: Brazil: this book caught it!
Review: Being a Brazilian myself, reading this book was like revisiting a very well known place, with the help of a different and outstanding "tourist guide". I could see my country, its history, its past and its present through highly qualified and sensitive eyes. Page's book is a brilliant analysis for a complex society. He gets exactly what is it that makes us Brazilians: diversity, multiplicity of influences, variety, lack of clear limits, lack of clear boundaries. I think Brazil is unpredictable, difficult to catch, even for people that have lived there all their lives. Page got the main traits, the most important aspects of Brazilian personality, the features that really make us Brazilians. Of course, one does not agree with everything that is written in the book. And, as a Brazilian, it is not easy to read the chapter about "the culture of brutality", for example. Also the author has some kind of "bias", probably related to the places where he lived in Brazil, towards Rio or Pernambuco (I am from Bahia, I can't help complaining...! If you read the book, you'll understand). But when my friends from other countries - usually curious and amazed about what they hear and see on the news - ask me what Brazil is, I have no doubts about where to send them to find an answer...
Rating: 
Summary: Cry , beloved Brazil?
Review: Brazil has certainly captured the imagination of most people around the world mainly because of its biological diversity, the carnival in Rio, and its soccer superstars. In fact, people tend to glamorize the country and its people, thinking of the sensuality and docility of Brazilians, the nice rhythyms of 'bossa nova' and 'samba', and the colorful tropical setting. There is, however, a strong, violent undercurrent in Brazilian culture, and Page's book exposes all the sources and manifestations of these in a clear way. There is violence against nature (as the despoiling of the Amazon forest and the sad case of Cubatao show); there is violence against homeless children in the streets; there is violence against women in order to 'save the honor'; there is violence against the poor in the 'favelas', mostly by neglect and drug trafficking... One wonders, by the end of the book, how Brazilians have been able to strive thus far and how they'll be able to cope with the serious challenges posed by overpopulation and poverty, among other things.Page does a good job at trying to explain what is Brazilian by delving into the history of the country. The colonial past certainly branded the country, with its strong slavery component (slavery was abolished only in 1888 in Brazil) and almost medieval social stratification of masters and slaves or, later, peons. Page contends that many of the attitudes and dynamics generated by these have perdured, in one way or another, to this day, even in big cities. Also, Page emphasizes the influence of the many immigrant groups (Portuguese, Japanese, Italians, and Germans)and religions (Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, and 'candomble' and 'umbanda') in marking the country. It is, indeed, so rich a tapestry of influences, that one sometimes feels somewhat lost in trying to grasp what is truly Brazilian. I highly recommend this book to anybody interested in this fascinating country. Page is sometimes condescending in his exposition, but he is always interesting and provides good food for thought and discussion.
Rating:
Summary: If God is Brazilian, then this is his Bible...
Review: For the non-academic (who may be seeking a drier, more studious and less subjective overview), this is the Brazilian God's holy guide to what has been happening in Brazil for the last hundred years or so. While some may criticize that it is not totally thorough in parts or that the author has allowed his ideology to shine through in the text, I think these are normal features of a book that is not attempting to be a scholarly work for the erudite. It gives an excellent overview of so many points of Brazil's twentieth-century history and culture that it will definitely achieve what I think is the books primary objective: to allow its readers to go to Brazil or meet with Brazilians and feel like they have a somewhat solid foundation of information to work with, and not seem like an ignorant foreigner.
If you look at "The Brazilians" from this perspective, then you won't be disappointed. My goal in reading it was at least to have an idea of who each president was, what he stood for, what the different regions are like, who some of the most important figures are in Brazilian culture, politics and history, and some other general information about Brazilian society, and Mr. Page definitely serves all of that up. I loved the section titled "The Lesser Gods," for instance, because it introduces you to some personnages that all Brazilians are familiar with, but who don't fit neatly into the other categories within the book.
I couldn't help but think of a similar book about Spain the whole time, titled "The New Spaniards." If you have read that book, this is the equivalent for Brazil, in an excellent genre that tries to present countries in a way that is entertaining yet informative for the public at large. Personally, I would force tourists to read a similar book on any country they visit before trampling in without knowing the name of the country's president, some of the basic aspects of its recent past and the names of some vastly important historical figures. Reading the book will also make a trip to Brazil that much more enjoyable, as you recognize the cultural references you have picked up in the book.
So, obviously each chapter of the book could be expanded to 500 pages for even more thorough analysis and made fully objective, but I'm not sure that this was the purpose of writing this great book.
Rating:
Summary: Obrigado
Review: Gives the informed traveler, or just the informed and curious, necessary insight into what makes up "Brazilianness." He portrays a nation of contrasts and ironies. Good read if you're interested in the subject
Rating:
Summary: Excellent introduction to Brazil
Review: Having read most of the introductory books on Brazil, I find the books by Joseph Page to be an excellent basic resource and an enjoyable read to boot.
Rating:
Summary: A superb portrait of contemporary Brazil
Review: I bought this book because I was planning a trip to Brazil and I wanted something that would provide me with a good frame of reference for my trip. In this capacity I was VERY satisfied. I particularly enjoyed the anecdotal style which made this a very easy read - It took me two evenings, and I was never tempted to skim / skip. The book is colorful, and I am particularly grateful to the author for not neglecting popular culture in favor of socio-economic data. The chapters on telenovelas, the Carnival, and Soccer were particularly interesting and enlightening. I think it is great that he refers to book and movie portrayals of various events in his discussion of certain events - it helps bring everything together when he mentions, that scene in "The Mission..." A flood of images returns and suddenly everything is in a larger context. I thought it was superb that he spend careful attention discussing the history and character of various states. All too often, life outside the 'captial' cities of a country are neglected. Who would characterize the US by New York City or Russia by Moscow, or Japan by Tokyo? The only downside is the portrayal of poverty and violence. While important topics, I came away with the impression that the author was arguing that Brazil was especially violent, poverty-stricken and unjust... I doubt that it is much more so than other lesser-developed countries, and probably some US inner-cities. Some un-baised comparative data would have been appropriate here to put it all in context. For anyone planning to travel to Brazil that wants to get beyond the basic tourist-guide understanding of the country, I highly recommend the book.
Rating:
Summary: Easy read, rich in information, anecdotes + pop-culture
Review: I bought this book because I was planning a trip to Brazil and I wanted something that would provide me with a good frame of reference for my trip. In this capacity I was VERY satisfied. I particularly enjoyed the anecdotal style which made this a very easy read - It took me two evenings, and I was never tempted to skim / skip. The book is colorful, and I am particularly grateful to the author for not neglecting popular culture in favor of socio-economic data. The chapters on telenovelas, the Carnival, and Soccer were particularly interesting and enlightening. I think it is great that he refers to book and movie portrayals of various events in his discussion of certain events - it helps bring everything together when he mentions, that scene in "The Mission..." A flood of images returns and suddenly everything is in a larger context. I thought it was superb that he spend careful attention discussing the history and character of various states. All too often, life outside the 'captial' cities of a country are neglected. Who would characterize the US by New York City or Russia by Moscow, or Japan by Tokyo? The only downside is the portrayal of poverty and violence. While important topics, I came away with the impression that the author was arguing that Brazil was especially violent, poverty-stricken and unjust... I doubt that it is much more so than other lesser-developed countries, and probably some US inner-cities. Some un-baised comparative data would have been appropriate here to put it all in context. For anyone planning to travel to Brazil that wants to get beyond the basic tourist-guide understanding of the country, I highly recommend the book.
Rating:
Summary: The book on Brazil for the rest of us!
Review: I have visited Brazil on two occasions and this book brought much of what I sensed into focus. It helped clear up some of the mysteries and left the rest intact. I especially loved the history and characterization. It's the author's personal account which makes it conversational, funny and very perceptive. The author doesn't hide the warts, but his love for Brazil is evident on every page - even when he's dissing. Great book. Read it!
Rating:
Summary: Brazilian culture and history rolled-up into one.
Review: I wish I could have read this before living in Brazil for three years. This book covers all of Brazilian history from a cultural point of view. If you're interested in modern Brazilian culture (Carnival, TV, etc.), there are some very interesting insights. I'm not sure how this book would read if you haven't experienced Brazil first-hand. I'm not sure Brazilians will appreciate it since it's not always a flattering portrait. I think there are many insights that pertain the history of American slavery and being African-American in this country
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