From Brazil to Heaven

Up till now, no book has shown so much of the insider's Brazil. In photography and text, "From Brazil to Heaven" gives a unique look into Brazilian lifestyles, cultures and history. This is an essential volume in anyone's cultural library, and a must-have for those whose curiosity and passions are aroused by the Brazilian land and people. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Born in the cauldron of mystery known as Brazil, Eduardo C. Neto is a researcher, photographer and writer presenting an informed insider's view of his country and his people in this first volume of his photography. Edu's work is a raw and immediate glimpse deep into a culture little known and barely understood by the outside world. It takes an insider's knowledge and access, and readiness in the midst of the crowds and the action, to catch these impromptu moments whenever and wherever they happen. ARTS OF BRAZIL From visual arts to music, dance, poetry and literature, from historical architecture to naive painting, from the ethnic melding of culinary arts to the uniquely communal, acrobatic, and musical martial art that is Brazilian Capoeira, this book reveals the artistic kaleidoscope of living the Brazilian way. We get a view of the largest historical complex of European Baroque architecture in Latin America, along with Art Nouveau, Contemporary, and New Gothic styles. Walls alive with master works by contemporary painters, ancestral food that ties people together, dance as a spontaneous outpouring of cultural expression, and music as part of daily life and community celebrations are found in this cavalcade of images. PHOTOGRAPHY The photographs capture the stunning beauty of the people, the scenery, the sights and the moments that make up this special corner of the world. By following the threads of culture to their deepest sources, with an insider's point of view, the author's photographs testify to how the people live and why. By his presence on the ground, his access and his authenticity, we come close to the people and culture of Brazil. This book is a visual source of inspiration. Through the children, the women and the men who are the true riches and the beauty of this land, the reader will come to know with intimacy how the Brazilian spirit wakes up each day and survives in the only way it knows, creating a new song. DOCUMENTARY Native Brazilian or "Indio" peoples, Europeans and Africans of the diaspora come together here, overcoming the distances of land and language to take on a new culture. Together, these groups share their strength to forge the Brazilian identity today. This volume provides comprehensive visual documentation of little-known aspects of the Brazilian way of life, along with credible and hard-to-find written information. Myriad cultural manifestations interweave to create the special Brazilian lifestyle. The photographs and accompanying commentary in "From Brazil to Heaven" provide insight into the events that make Brazil exciting year-round: the religious traditions, the cultural celebrations, the non-stop partying of Carnaval, the festivals, the endless activities on the beach. International visitors bring their energy, and local artists and celebrities make waves that influence the arts and culture of the world. Through pictures and words, this book reveals the way the Brazilian people have survived and how they thrive today as only they can. "