Get?lio Vargas is without doubt the most influential figure of Brazilian 20th century history. He ruled the country from 1930 to his suicide in 1954 with a break from 1945 to 1950. Installed by a military coup , elected by the constituent assembly, as dictator, and after his return in 1950 as democratically elected president. He was an enigmatic figure who never showed his hand. Leading to speculation about his motives and thoughts in many books. Levine sticks to the facts.

Get?lio Vargas is constantly underestimated by friends and enemies alike. He seems to have risen to the presidency by accident. His ablitity to hold on to power for 25 years shows this is certainly not the case. For Vargas everything was politics and nothing personal. People he prosecuted ruthlessly at one time (like Prestes) became helpers at later times. He managed to seem detached from his plans and projects, so a failure would never be seen as a personal failure, and might even be a step in an unknown masterplan.

He realized the importance of the Brazilian masses early and managed to win their confidence and affection with his weekly radio addresses and frequent tours of the country. He talked about improving the life of the poor a lot. But through lack of support of the elite and the weak central government his plans managed to reach only a small part of the needy. For the majority the main change was in the increased mobility allowed by his infrastructural works. Yet the poors saw him as their father as is shown by his 1950 election victory and the outburts of grief after his death.

Levine writes all this down in a very readable and clear fashion. Staying clear from Vargas? thoughts and emotions because this would lead to mere speculation. The book does try to explain how Vargas changed Brazil. The answer unvariably is: Brazil changed a lot in this period, but it?s not possible to say in what part this is due to Vargas and his policies and which part can be attributed to the natural run of things.

After reading this book you know all the facts about the Vargas era. Giving you the perfect base to explore the abundant literature that does try to explain the toughts and motives of Vargas.