about the humiliation of losing so many, the mutilations performed on the soldiers and the despair in the souls of the soldiers. This was an enormous undertaking and the writer to his credit wrote an epic masterpiece that left me in awe and wanting to find out more from this period of Brazil's history. This is not a book for everyone, many will give up within the first 100 pages, but if you stay with it you'll be rewarded richly. I highly recommend. (less) Sue Smith This sounds like a heavy book. It doesn't drag itself down? (Other than the first 100 pages?). Usually they're the best books, mind you. Certainly giv ...more This sounds like a heavy book. It doesn't drag itself down? (Other than the first 100 pages?). Usually they're the best books, mind you. Certainly gives you food for thought. (less) Sep 28, 2012 09:45am Mikela I'm not up to heavy tomes that rely on deep thought and degrees in philosophy, history or literature (afraid I'm not an academic literary person) so a ...more I'm not up to heavy tomes that rely on deep thought and degrees in philosophy, history or literature (afraid I'm not an academic literary person) so a book has to keep my interest and this one did. Found it very accessible and very interesting. Not at all depressing. (less) updated Sep 28, 2012 09:57am Sue Smith Sounds like a worthy read. Thanks for the great review! Sep 28, 2012 11:05am Another tale of