Biography of Carlos Lacerda narrates the virulence with which he defended everything from communism to coup plotting

Carlos Lacerda, a figure who "never seemed to sleep and didn't let others sleep either," according to journalist Newton Carlos, was a force of nature in Brazilian politics. His "extremist" approach, even when he positioned himself at the center, was a hallmark of his career. Jurist Evandro Lins e Silva, a friend who eventually distanced himself from Lacerda, described him as behaving "like a monkey in a china shop."

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He never seemed to sleep and didn't let others sleep either.

Lacerda's intensity was evident even when he was urged to temper his criticism of Getúlio Vargas's government in 1954. He believed that "if I weren't violent, the campaign wouldn't have an effect" and that "the country is still too desensitized." He felt it was necessary to "shake it up like you shake someone who slept poorly at night and has to wake up at dawn to not miss the plane."

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He behaved like a monkey in a china shop.

Journalist Mário Magalhães has spent over a decade meticulously researching Lacerda's life for his new biography. This work builds on Magalhães's previous success with "Marighella: The Guerrilla Who Set the World on Fire," a highly acclaimed book about another significant Brazilian figure. Magalhães emphasizes his neutral approach in both biographies, stating, "In both books, I maintain the same behavior. I don't judge the characters. I don't accuse and I don't defend."

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He really was extreme even when he placed himself at the center.

Magalhães's deep dive into Lacerda's life was spurred by the release of previously unpublished documents from U.S. agencies concerning Brazil, offering fresh insights into the politician's actions. The biography aims to illuminate Lacerda's complex legacy, acknowledging that "it is impossible to understand the history of Brazil without knowing the history of Carlos Lacerda."

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He lost his temper in attack.