I disagree with both, Ana Maria Bahiana (author of the book
America from A to Z) and Mariano Magalhães whose letter
appeared on the April 1996 issue. The basic problem many Brazilians have in trying to understand the United States is that we are a
democracy. Every four years starting in 1789, we have had a presidential election. Furthermore, democracy is deeply rooted in the
American mindset and character. The opposite is true in Latin America.
Most Latins don't seem to have the ability to comprehend that we had the industrial revolution and great inventors such as
Henry Ford, Walter P. Chrysler, the Duponts, John Deere, George Washington Carver, etc. Finally, we never had the Counter
Reformation and the religious fanatics that Spain and Portugal brought to Latin America.
Milton Peters
Northridge, California
Badly missed
News from Brazil should apologize to all
Paulistas for the biased information provided in the article "The Other São Paulo".
It's a shame for a Brazilian magazine to publish such bad and poor article without even revising the content provided by the
publishing house Lonely Planet. I was especially upset with the section about Santos.
Since I am a Santista I'd like to say a few things that you absolutely missed. Santos is one of the top 20 international
tourism destinations in the country. It's home for many worldwide events including sports, music, festivals, and environmental
seminars. The beaches are clean (believe it or not), and also don't forget about the historical importance of the city in politics and
avant-garde art production.
My wife Deborah recently subscribed to your publication and we have been delighted with it, as it offers a balanced, "warts
and all" panorama of Brazil. We developed an interest in your country by stages, starting with Formula 1 auto racing (Nélson
Piquet), then the music, and on to the politics and history. We have frequently been dismayed by the less than honorable role that the US
has played in the latter area.
It was thus a distinct pleasure to find a source of current news, background and opinion. Our only frustration is to be found
in the excerpts from some of our favorite authors, as we do not read Portuguese. Anyway, keep up the good work. We enclose a
coupon and payment for a gift subscription for our good friend Dan, who shares our interest and will no doubt be as pleased as we are
with your magazine. P.S. An article on the activities of Nelson Piquet since his retirement would please us greatly.
Howard Schmitt
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
In Germany, waiting
My husband and I miss a lot the latest news about Brazil brought by your magazine. I am Brazilian and my husband is
German and while we were living in Monterey, California, we had a chance to subscribe. My husband does not speak Portuguese neither
has he been in Brazil, but through News from Brazil
he started to know about my country and my culture.
We are restarting our subscription and would like to see more ads about travel packages for trips around Brazil. We are
planning to go there at the end of this year and are having a hard time finding out travel agencies here in Germany with a good deal to Brazil.
Luciana Barda
Düsseldorf, Germany
A must
I would like to renew my subscription to News from
Brazil. Enclosed is a check for $3. News from Brazil
is the most interesting and sophisticated journal of Brazilian news and culture published stateside. I consider it indispensable reading.
Samuel Cohn
Austin, Texas
Falling short
I have received two issues of your magazine and am very impressed. The Economy and Literature sections in particular
are interesting although I also am hoping to see a little more current politics included.
Megan Savage
Aurora, Colorado
Couldn't resist
I loved your magazine so much here's a subscription order for a friend who lives in Miami, Florida. Thanks for such an
excellent magazine!
Jeff Akers
Boulder, Colorado
Let it go
This is from one of your all-time fans. Please lose the gifs in you welcome screen (the ones that only say "Back Issues" and
"Ads"). Despite the fact that they only say very little they take forever to load. Tell the guy who made such a pretty, muddled,
unnecessarily complex WEB page for you to dump the gifs!
I find that I simply don't revisit WEB pages that take so long to load up. I could get a cup of coffee and a sandwich for all
the time it takes. It might be different if they were really hip graphics. But they are simply signs with a little bit of an old magazine
cover behind it -- and in black and white.
After reviewing your publication I was very impressed with your coverage of local and international Brazilian events.
Therefore I would be interested in subscribing to your publication. Enclosed find a check for a one year subscription.
J. Jorren Austin
Burtonsville, Maryland
Studying Brazil
I am from Mexico City and I am studying International Business. Since I am doing a special report about Brazil I would appreciate
more information about the main heroes of Brazil and about ethnic groups, as well as the most significant events celebrated in
your country.
