Let's be honest, the title is a mouthful. But stick with me, because the story inside is a gripping puzzle. This book isn't a dry chronology of battles. Instead, it connects two events separated by three centuries and an entire ocean.

The Story

In the late 1800s, Brazil was torn apart by the War of Canudos, a massive conflict between a government and a rebellious settlement of poor folks in the backlands. The leader of this rebellion, Antônio Conselheiro, was seen as a mystic. Costa's book asks a bold question: was part of his appeal tied to an ancient Portuguese myth? That myth is Sebastianism—the belief that King Sebastian, who died in 1578, would one day return to save Portugal. This idea didn't just fade away; it morphed and traveled. Costa argues that this messianic hope, this longing for a savior-king, found new life in the Brazilian sertão, feeding the fervor of Canudos. The book traces how a legend born from one nation's loss became fuel for another's civil strife.

Why You Should Read It

What grabbed me was how it makes history feel alive and interconnected. It's not just about dates and decrees; it's about the power of ideas to survive and adapt. You see how the trauma of Portugal's lost king created a cultural story so powerful it could be repurposed centuries later in a completely different context. It makes you think about the stories we tell ourselves during hard times, and how those stories can lead people to do extraordinary, and sometimes tragic, things. Costa treats these beliefs seriously, not as silly superstitions, but as real forces that moved people and shaped events.

Final Verdict

This is a book for the curious reader who loves history but wants to see beyond the surface. It's perfect for anyone interested in Brazilian history, Portuguese culture, or the strange ways folklore intersects with politics. If you enjoyed books like War of the End of the World by Mario Vargas Llosa (which is about Canudos), this provides the deep historical and cultural background that makes that novel so rich. It's a specialized read, but if the premise intrigues you, you'll find it a rewarding and mind-expanding journey into the shadows of history.