3 Review(s)

LeslieBethell is the most respected scholar of Brazil of his generation. This hasbeen recognized in Brazil by being made a corresponding fellow of both theBrazilian Academy of Letters and of Sciences. Perhaps best known for his book The Abolition of the Brazilian SlaveTrade (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1970), Leslie Bethell'sscholarship has ranged widely not least in his editorship of the 12-volume Cambridge History of Latin America(1984-2008). In recent years he has continued to research the modern history ofBrazil, much of which he has presented in invited lectures and Brazilianjournals and remained unpublished in English until now. In 2010 he presented a provocative paper inthe Journal of Latin American Studieson the relationship between Brazil arguing that, historically, the idea of Brazil as part of Latin America was neverfully embraced by Spanish Americans orBrazilians and here he continues to reflect on this issue. LeslieBethell's fascination with and commitment to Brazil is revealed for the firsttime in his introductory autobiographical essay that traces his career fromschool through the many senior academic positions he has held both sides of theAtlantic.