The Braganzas ruled the Kingdom of Portugal from 1640 to 1910 and also the Empire of Brazil from 1822 to 1889. The family boasts plenty of interesting characters from child Emperors to mentally ill Queens. Yet, the information in English on them is quite limited, so this book certainly fills a void.
From the introduction to The Braganzas: The Rise and Fall of the Ruling Dynasties of Portugal and Brazil, 1640–1910, I was a little bit apprehensive. For several pages, the author referred to several women only as “the Emperor’s sister” and the like. Luckily, this appears to be just a fluke, and they regain their names in later chapters. The book is quite impressively researched, and I imagine its many pages could turn off some readers. However, I found it very easy to read and not difficult to follow at all. All the family members are treated equally, and the Princesses and Queens are also included, much to my delight.
The Braganzas: The Rise and Fall of the Ruling Dynasties of Portugal and Brazil, 1640–1910 should become a staple of your bookcase if it isn’t already. It is available now in both the UK and the US.
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