Cordiviola (Latin American literature and literary theory, the Federal U. of Pernambuco, Brazil) analyzes the life and explorations of adventurer, soldier, diplomat, and scholar, Sir Richard Burton. The work revolves around Burton's Highlands of the Brazil , published in London, 1869, describing a five-month journey taken in 1867. Emphasis is placed on the idea of Brazil as "a land with a future" and other cultural projections. Examined in three parts are the institutions that helped forge both the real and imaginary figure of the explorer-adventurer of the era; the program of modernity that Burton suggests applying in Brazilian lands; and views and representations of landscape. Lacks a subject index. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
