Think Tanks and Universities:
The website also features podcasts and other articles such as the ones highlighted below.
2. University of Chicago Revista Vaeranda Program
Academic department with a collection of public essays and experiences that capture a broad span of society, arts and government--such as this short essay: Revolution, not Transition: The Collapse of the Brazilian Military Regime
3. Brasilian Whatsapp Slang (my list)
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/brasilialifeafterdesign/282996878?autoplay=1
Environmental activist, journalist, and National Book Award finalist Eliane Brum considers how governments and corporations destroy the Amazon and disrupt the under-recognized populations who live there, in this excerpt from Banzeiro Òkòtó.
If you are going to read only one book on Brazil read this one: Brazil: A Biography. It's the one that's been most recommended to me. Yes, it's massive--the audible version is nearly 29 hours long--but the native Brazilian author team offer a comprehensive and clearly written account that spans from "first contact" between the European invaders ("discoverers") up to the transition from military dictatorship in the 80s. One of the authors, Lilia Schwarcz was inducted into the Academia Brasileira de Letras earlier in 2024, becoming only the 11th woman to join the esteemed literary institution since it was founded in 1897.
The Collector of Leftover Souls: Field Notes on Brazil's Everyday Insurrections. This book is a collection of essays by reporter Eliane Brum. In it she sheds light on different facets of Brasilian society normally buried in darkness: Os povos indígenas, minorias sociais, os povos que vivem à margem da sociedade, longe dos núcleos de poder. Essential Brasil read.
Brazillionaires (Audible). Incredible Michael Lewis-style tale of the rise of the 21st century rise (and fall for some) of a billionaire class in Brazil told against the backdrop of corruption, favelas, soccer stadiums, kidnappings and Miami real estate. Essential Brasil read.
Dancing with the Devil in the City of God: Rio de Janeiro and the Olympic Dream (Brazil book). Prodigal daughter/Journalist Julianna Barbassa returns to her home city after a childhood spent largely abroad. Part memoir, part expose, part investigative journalism that covers the national and city politician's ill considered efforts to prepare the city and populace to host the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics. Her thorough reporting brings the reader behind the fabric of Brazilian government and societal machinations, triumphs, and dysfunction.
xvi-xvii: The Lula story: rise from poverty in the Nordeste, shining shoes as a child, selling peanuts in the street, then a steelworker and union leader. A rise above previously entrenched societal hierarchies--founded the Workers' Party. Ran for President three times and lost prior to 2002. But then with a reformed and more business friendly he image he won twice. He played the pivotal role in winning the 2016 Olympic bid for Brazil.
Essential Brasil read.
The Invisibles (Brazil book). Came across this book on a colleague's bookshelf and he kindly let me borrow it. I liked it so much that I ordered a copy of my own! A British woman and a Brazilian man fall in love in the 70's and have a child. Unfortunately, he falls on hard times and ends up jailed under the military dictatorship. His wife and child flee to England and never return believing him dead...until some 30 years later when a news clip give his son hope his father might still be alive in Rio. Thus begins a journey for one man's father but also his long lost country--all against the backdrop of a class/tranche of society that often feels invisible--hence the name. Brasil read.
Related Brazil Posts:
Youtube Channels
Speaking Brasilian Language School with Virginia
Explaining Brasil is a phenomenal podcast to hear from native academic experts on current and historical events in Brazil. It's fun by The Brazilian Report which is an independent media company that publishes journalism in English by Brasilians.
Brazil Unfiltered is hosted by James N. Green, Professor of Brazilian History and Culture at Brown University and the National Co-Coordinator of the U.S. Network for Democracy in Brazil. It's part of the Democracy Observatory, supported by the Washington Brazil Office. While the name WBO sounds like its something funded by the US Government, this is actually a independent think tank-type organization. The podcast itself is edited and produced by Camilo Rocha in São Paulo.
Americas 360 is produced by the Woodrow Wilson Center and while it's not focused exclusively on Brazil it's a good resource for policy oriented discussions on the western hemisphere. It has put out about 52 episodes to date (about one every month). The Wilson Center also has a "Brazil Institute"
The Wilson Center's 'Brazil Institute' podcast stated in 2020 and has released about a dozen episodes over the last few years.
The Brazilian Hour is a podcast run out of the Cultural Affairs team at the Brazilian consulate in L.A. It's sponsored by the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs ("Itamaraty") and focuses on conversations with different Brasilian musicians.
Brazuca Sounds is a superb podcast for music lovers--it's about "Brazilian music of all styles, decades, and genres hosted by Leandro Vignoli."
