Beef, Bible and Bullets

Beef, bible and bullets looks at the social, political and economic trends that brought a maverick right-wing populist to office in Latin America's largest economy.

BACK COVER

'One of the clearest pictures of Brazil in 2021 and how it got there. A must-read for anyone covering Latin America.'
Lucinda Elliott, The Times

'Finally, a book that looks beyond easy narratives to explain the real reasons for Jair Bolsonaro’s rise. […] The best chronicle to date of how the “Trump of the Tropics” came to power.'
Brian Winter, Americas Quarterly

'The best book in English on the rise to the Brazilian presidency of the volatile and polarising figure of Jair Bolsonaro.'
Anthony W. Pereira, King's College London


Backed by Brazil’s wealthy agri-business groups, a growing evangelical movement, and an emboldened military and police force, Jair Bolsonaro took office in 2019. Driven by the former army captain’s brand of controversial, aggressive rhetoric, the divisive presidential campaign saw fake news and misinformation shared with Bolsonaro’s tens of millions of social media followers.

Bolsonaro promised simple solutions to Brazil’s rising violent crime, falling living standards and widespread corruption, but what has emerged is Latin America's most right-wing president since the military dictatorships of the 1970s. Famous for his racist, homophobic and sexist beliefs and his disregard for human rights, the so-called ‘Trump of the Tropics’ has established a reputation based on his polemic, sensationalist statements.

Written by a journalist with decades of experience in the field, Beef, Bible and bullets is a compelling account of the origins of Brazil's unique brand of right-wing populism. Lapper offers the first major assessment of the Bolsonaro government and the growing tensions between extremist and moderate conservatives.


FRONT FLAP

'Drawing on sharp-eyed reporting and in-depth knowledge of Brazil, Richard Lapper has written a highly readable and informative account of the rise of Jair Bolsonaro and the damage he has done to his country.'
Michael Reid, author of Brazil: The Troubled Rise of a Global Power

'This colourful, readable book provides important insights into the social and political currents, beyond Brazil, that give rise to populism and that are shaping global politics.'
Christopher Sabatini, Chatham House

BACK FLAP

Richard Lapper is a writer and consultant who specialises in Latin America. He worked for the Financial Times for twenty-five years, occupying the post of Latin America editor between 1998 and 2008, and is an Associated Fellow of Chatham House.

Backed by Brazil’s wealthy agribusiness groups, a growing evangelical movement, and an emboldened military and police force, Jair Bolsonaro took office in 2019. Driven by the former army captain’s brand of controversial, aggressive rhetoric, the divisive presidential campaign saw fake news and misinformation shared with Bolsonaro’s tens of millions of social media followers.

Bolsonaro promised simple solutions to Brazil’s rising violent crime, falling living standards and widespread corruption, but what has emerged is Latin America's most right-wing president since the military dictatorships of the 1970s. Famous for his racist, homophobic and sexist beliefs and his disregard for human rights, he has established a reputation based on his polemical, sensationalist statements. Written by a journalist with decades of experience in the field, Beef, Bible and bullets is a compelling account of the origins of Brazil's unique brand of right-wing populism.