This book provides a clear, lively, and comprehensive account of the history of Brazil from ancient times to the present day. It relates the central events that have shaped the country and details their significance in historical context, touching on all aspects of the history of the country, from political, international, and economic affairs to cultural and social developments. Illustrated with full-color maps and photographs, and accompanied by a chronology, bibliography, and suggested reading, this accessible overview is ideal for the general reader. Coverage includes: Land and People before and after Portuguese Exploration; The Portuguese Colony; Society in Early Brazil: Slavery, Patriarchy, and the Church; From Colony to Republic; Constructing a Nation of Free Laborers in the 19th and Early 20th Centuries; Society and Politics in the First Republic; From Getulio Vargas to the Military Coup; From Military Dictatorship to Democracy; Popular Culture: Music, Sports, Television, and Cinema in Today's Brazil; Brazil in the 21st Century; and The Challenges of Sustainable Development.