Brazil

This book presents Brasil as a country that is the ninth richest economy in the world - yet which is in terms of human development, one of the poorest.

It provides an account of the historical and political background to Brazil where for 500 years the rich and the powerful have fought ruthlesly to defend the status quo, but where a growing popular movement is working for sustainable change.

Much of this profile is told through the personal testimonies of Brazilians themselves.

The author talked to people on the farms and on street corners, in rainforests and shanty towns, at football matches and carnival celebrations.

The people talk about their lives and their hopes for the future in this diverse and contradictory nation.

This book is one of a series of introductions to developing countries, focusing on the real lives of ordinary people and the major development issues that affect them.