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Empire Adrift: The Portuguese Court in Rio de Janeiro 1808-1821
 
 
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Empire Adrift: The Portuguese Court in Rio de Janeiro 1808-1821 [Illustrated] (Hardcover)

by Patrick Wilcken (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 300 pages
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC; illustrated edition edition (6 Sep 2004)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0747556725
  • ISBN-13: 978-0747556725
  • Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 16 x 3.4 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 383,023 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories:

    #19 in  Books > History > Europe > Spain > Spanish Heads of State
    #34 in  Books > Biography > Political > Countries & Regions > Central & South America
    #46 in  Books > History > Countries & Regions > South America > Brazil

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Product Description

Review

'A brilliant account of a bizarre yet momentous event Wilcken tells this unfamiliar yet extraordinary story with elan. Empire Adrift is a model of historical writing, erudite yet lively, maintaining narrative vigour while accurately rendering complex events at different times in different continents. Wilcken combines a sense of place with a keen eye for the grotesque. He has a striking cast of characters to work with' Guardian 'Wilcken is a consummate portraitist, and one learns a great deal of the machinations and ambitions of diplomats and of the intrigues of royal relations' Irish Times 'Wilcken's perceptive and skilful narration of the extraordinary culture clash between New and Old Worlds is fascinating, at times hilarious and helps explain why modern Brazil turned out so differently from its South American neighbours' Alex Bellos, author of Futebol 'He writes well, describing events or evoking characters. The narrative is fast-moving and lucid By telling a good story, and placing it in multiple contexts, he makes Empire Adrift a distinguished and enjoyable first book' Times Literary Supplement --This text refers to the Paperback edition.


Times Literary Supplement

‘Fast-moving and lucid … Distinguished and enjoyable’ --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
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Customer Reviews

4 Reviews
5 star:
 (3)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:    (0)
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Average Customer Review
4.8 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A pleasure to read, 16 Feb 2006
By Vanda Beck (Manchester, UK) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Empire Adrift: The Portuguese Court in Rio De Janeiro, 1808-1821 (Paperback)
This is a history book that reads like a novel. Its characters are "alive". The King with his dubious love life, the extravagant Queen, the irreverent Prince, the insane Queen Mother, they are a unique royal family. Another vivid character is Lord Strangford, the British envoy. I found this history bok a pleasure to read.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A pleasure to read, 16 Feb 2006
By Vanda Beck (Manchester, UK) - See all my reviews
This is a history book that reads like a novel. Its characters are "alive". The King with his dubious love life, the extravagant Queen, the irreverent Prince, the insane Queen Mother, they are a unique royal family. Another vivid character is Lord Strangford, the British envoy. I found this history bok a pleasure to read.
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4.0 out of 5 stars The Portuguese monarcy all at sea, 8 Jul 2009
This review is from: Empire Adrift: The Portuguese Court in Rio De Janeiro, 1808-1821 (Paperback)
Wilcken perfectly captures the intrigues and chicanery among the Portuguese court during its flight and subsequent thirteen year sojourn in Brazil. A fascinating and unlikely history unfolds as the Portuguese King - Dom Joao and his family get to grips with their new life in the tropics. The use of personal letters as a primary source breathes life into the historic characters and In Dona Carlota we have a Machiavellian character Shakespeare would have been proud of.
With the French and the British battling for global supremacy the Portuguese court is delicately poised in the centre as they struggle to hold onto their possessions as allegiances are divided. This tumultuous time in Portuguese history is superbly told bringing characters and events to life in compelling fashion. An entertaining and informative read.The Peninsular War: A New HistoryA Concise History of Portugal (Cambridge Concise Histories)Portugal: A Companion History (Aspects of Portugal)The Portuguese Empire 1415 - 1808: A World on the Move
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5.0 out of 5 stars a little known part of napoleonic history
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