PDF To Be A Slave in Brazil: 1550-1888 by Katia M de Queiros Mattoso in History

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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The best autobiographyBy Jordano QuagliaA great account of slavery in Brazil.0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Mattoso provides a truly stunning new look into the institution ...By AGoMattoso provides a truly stunning new look into the institution of slavery in Brazil. This book is phenomenal for providing a perspective that is often not seen in the study of slavery.19 of 23 people found the following review helpful. TO BE A SLAVE IN BRAZILBy Mindy BartlettThe roots and leaves of the institution of slavery in Brazil; is what this book focuses on. We travel the trade route from Africa to England to South America. Katia M. de Queiros Mattoso's goal is to show us that; contrary to popular belief; the new slaves who were ripped from their homeland were "docile" and " ready to accept their new status as slaves" (85). She brings us into a world that shows no matter what the slaves were; they were not faceless; emotionless savages the Europeans wanted to reduce them to.Mattoso's coverage of three centuries is an attempt to encompass the truth of slavery; not the "assumed" myth of so many other scholars (85). Wonderfully organized and thought provoking; she shows us a world few have seen; so that we may see the truth. She avoids the overbearing this is how it is; and that is that; statements by giving us human images; their motivations and encounters that a slave would have likely run acrossand have experienced.The arguments that Mattoso offers are very persuasive to readers because she appeals to our sense of humanity. Mattoso shows us tables; statistics; historical documentation and finally puts all of these into a person whom we can relate. The goal to show that slaves were an integral part of the society in which they lived begins to take shape as a sound theory later in the book. For example in chapter five we see slaves in Brazil taking part in many activities; from skilled work to common tasks such as the education of children and family life. This range of activities shows just how engrained slaves were in their new society; for the children their only society.To Be a Slave in Brazil shows us the many thoughts and going-ons that happened throughout the slave trade. The book introduces us to the New World as aslave and slave owner would see it; not as how we fantasize it was. There are truths and facts to support these claims made by Mattoso. Written for all; she uses all sources available; both familiar and original; and manages to put a new spin on an old tale.Students and scholars alike should put this book on their to do list