Imperial Portugal in the Age of Atlantic Revolutions The Luso-Brazilian World, C.1770 1850

'By asking how the Portuguese empire lasted not why it lagged, Gabriel Paquette overturns conventional historical wisdom on Brazil, Portugal and the Atlantic world. His erudite study also convincingly shows how essential political and intellectual history are for transnational and imperial history. All in all, a masterly achievement.' David Armitage, Lloyd C. Blankfein Professor of History, Harvard University 'This is an excellent work, which analyses the Luso-Brazilian world in the wider context of the Atlantic revolutions, breaking away from national frameworks of historiography that have constrained research. The vigorous reform of the Portuguese empire, followed by independent monarchical Brazil and long term disentanglement of the different parts of the empire, are freshly assessed through a new evaluation of continuities in the economic, social and cultural fields.' Francisco Bethencourt, Charles Boxer Professor, King's College London 'Gabriel Paquette brilliantly provides both historical evidence and analytical arguments allowing for a better understanding of the breakdown of the Portuguese empire in South America. He also presents a convincing explanation of the persistent and friendly relationship between Portugal and Brazil after Brazilian independence in 1822. The book offers new insights to demonstrate that the end of colonial empires is not necessarily the outcome of conflicts and rebellions, but rather the consequence of continuous and enlightened reforms. The book meets high research standards and is compulsory reading for all those interested in colonial and postcolonial historical studies.' Jose Luis Cardoso, University of Lisbon