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The Invention Of...

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Misha Glenny investigates the histories and the people that make nations what they are.

Misha Glenny investigates the borders, the histories and the people that make different nations what they are.

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The Invention of Brazil

The Invention Of...: Brazil: Episode 1: Episode 1: The Portuguese

Episode 1

Episode 1: Episode 1: The Portuguese

Brazil

Episode 1: The Portuguese

BBC Radio 4 - The Invention Of..., Brazil, Episode 1: The Portuguese

Misha Glenny presents a history of Brazil from 1500 to the end of the Second World War.

Misha Glenny presents a compelling new history of Brazil, from the arrival of the Portuguese in 1500 to Brazil's entry in the Second World War.

Forget the beach volleyball, carnival, and the rest - here's the truth about Brazil. The murder rate is among the highest in the world. The economic inequality is visible wherever you go. Behind the happy cultural imagery there lies a much darker Brazil, the result of an extremely dark colonial history when this land was little more than a giant farm worked by slaves.

In The Invention of Brazil, Misha Glenny traces the gaps between the image and reality, beginning with the arrival of the Portuguese in 1500. More slaves were transported to Brazil than anywhere else, more than the United States, more than anywhere.

"There were many Africans who served as interpreters," Joao Reis explains, "who could tell the slaves: 'You are not going to be eaten by those whites'. And that was the African fear - that they were being brought to an unknown world by whites where they would be eaten."

Misha Glenny and producer Miles Warde travel from the favela of Rocinha in Rio de Janeiro up the coast to Salvador, the first capital of Brazil, and then back to Sao Paulo, economic powerhouse of the south. On the way they meet contributors including the anthropologist Peter Fry; Americo Martins of Rede TV; historian Lilia Schwarz; and bestselling author Laurentino Gomez. Further contributions from Luciana Martins, David Brookshaw and Patrick Wilcken, author of Empire Adrift.

From the team behind The Invention of Germany and The Invention of Spain.

The Invention Of...: Brazil

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Misha Glenny presents a history of Brazil

Misha Glenny presents a history of Brazil, from the arrival of the Portuguese in 1500 to Brazil's entry in the Second World War

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Brazil

Episode 1: Episode 1: The Portuguese

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