Nothing by Accident: Brazil On The Edge Paperback – Big Book, 26 August 2020

what an extraordinary book. I could not put it down. Nothing By Accident is vivid account of the chaotic, exciting but dangerous world of Rio, how it came to be as it is, and how the various power structures make it so hard to change. The corruption of the police and politicians, the demonisation of the people favelas, is horrifying and disturbing but author's deep humanity make it very real, and very moving. Platt weaves his own personal experiences of many years of Brazil throughout the book and his love of the place and its people is profound. A brilliant work

Having lived in Rio de Janeiro during the same period covered by the author, and done research about some of the issues this book touches on in the past, I felt immediately transported by his detailed, casual, and at times dreamlike and humorous, narrative. Nothing by Accident brings together key elements to understand present day Brazil as it describes how local and transnational organized crime are interweaved in culture, politics, military and media in the country. Platt manages to describe some of the biggest dramas plaguing the Brazilian people, yet you feel like you're living some of the best of Brazil as he lets you glimpse into his 13 years of experiencing that fragment of tropics, its people and culture.

A brilliant and very worthwhile read for anyone interested in Rio and it's politics and people. Damian describes vividly the complexities and contrasts of a city where politics, culture, law and criminality are interwoven. Through it all his affection for Rio's people shines through, whilst the book brings the reader up to date with the first years of the Bolsonaro Presidency.

Fantastic book examining and unpacking Brazil’s relentless cycles of tyranny and corruption and apathy towards its citizens culminating with the election of Jair Bolsonaro as president. Platt looks at the efforts of murderous law enforcement to “pacify” the favelas and their ongoing battles with powerful gangs. Cocaine as a lubricant to almost instantaneous wealth. As well as the octopus like tentacles of Brazil’s ubiquitous, semi-clandestine lottery jogo do bicho. And plenty more.A well-written, compulsively readable accounting of contemporary Brazil.

An easily read and deeply insightful account if life in Rio which provides readers with an understanding of the close links between culture, Samba, organised crime, politics and violence.