When world war ii erupted in 1939 brazil seemed a world away lush remote and underdeveloped the country and its capital of rio de janeiro lured international travelers seeking a respite from the drums of the war rio at the end of civilization as we know it claimed orson welles as he set out for the city in 1942. In the fortunes of war acclaimed historian neill lochery reveals the secret history of brazils involvement in world war ii showing how the cunning politicians who ran the country extracted enormous wealth from both the axis and the allies fundamentally transforming brazils economy and infrastructure during and after the war brazils simplistic reputation as a faraway land of palm trees and samba dancers masked the countrys immense strategic value to both the axis and the allies its . In the fortunes of war acclaimed historian neill lochery reveals the secret history of brazils involvement in world war ii showing how the cunning politicians who ran the country extracted enormous wealth from both the axis and the allies fundamentally transforming brazils economy and infrastructure during and after the war brazils simplistic reputation as a faraway land of palm trees and samba dancers masked the countrys immense strategic value to both the axis and the allies its . Add a gift card to your order choose your denomination