With Brazil preparing to host both the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games, many people want to learn more about Brazil's rise from obscurity to the economic powerhouse of today. Noted journalist, author and Latin America expert Nathan "Mike" Haverstock chronicles Brazil's post-war modernization and economic boom, explaining Brazil's increasing importance in world affairs, while recalling his own observations and relationships with key decision-makers. This is a "must-read" for anyone wanting a crash course in the making of modern Brazil.