Subject

Brazil -- Discovery and exploration Books

Best books

António Arthur Baldaque da Silva

O descobrimento do Brasil por Pedro Alvares Cabral

"O descobrimento do Brasil por Pedro Alvares Cabral" by Baldaque da Silva is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The book critically examines the circumstances surrounding the discovery of Brazil by the Portuguese explorer Pedro Álvares Cabral in 1500. It discusses navigational decisions and explores the broader implications of this momentous event in history. The text delves into Cabral's expedition, originally aimed at reaching India, but which serendipitously led to the discovery of Brazil. Baldaque da Silva presents various hypotheses regarding how the deviation to the west occurred during the voyage, arguing against the notions of navigational error or unforeseen storms. The author ultimately supports the idea that Cabral intentionally ventured westward, backed by navigational strategies from preceding voyages and instructions from the Portuguese crown to explore the southwestern seas for potential new lands. The narrative blends both historical documentation and insightful commentary, offering readers a detailed understanding of this pivotal moment in maritime history.

Manuel Ferreira Garcia Redondo

O Descobrimento do Brazil
 Prioridade dos Portugueses no Descobrimento da America

"O Descobrimento do Brazil" by Manuel Ferreira Garcia Redondo is a historical account written in the early 20th century. This work focuses on the Portuguese claims to being the first discoverers of Brazil and the Americas, challenging the prevailing narrative that Christopher Columbus was the primary discoverer of these lands. The book aims to provide evidence and arguments supporting the perspective that Portuguese navigators had reached the Americas long before Columbus. The opening of the text introduces a lecture that Garcia Redondo delivered before a distinguished audience at the Instituto Historico e Geographico de São Paulo in 1911. He reflects on his previous travels and how he was inspired to explore the history of discoveries made by the Portuguese. He references another author, Faustino da Fonseca, whose work asserts that Columbus and Pedro Alvares Cabral were not the first to discover these new lands, but were merely publicizing discoveries made by earlier Portuguese explorers. Garcia Redondo's goal in this conference is to advocate for the recognition of Portuguese priority in these significant historical events and to pay tribute to the exploration efforts of Portuguese navigators.

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