Intimate ironies

by Brian Philip Owensby

"Superb analysis of middle-class mentalities in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, 1920-50. Describes emergence of middle class, then argues that its members rejected political parties and leaders, but embraced the state's social service mission and social service jobs. Using a wide range of documents, sensitively explores reasons for political ambivalence and cult of domestic life"--Handbook of Latin American Studies, v. 58.