Richard Bourne is Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at London University. He is author of several books including Assault on the Amazon, Getúlio Vargas of Brazil: Sphinx of the Pampas, and Political Leaders of Latin America.

List of Illustrations
Preface and Acknowledgments

1. A Tough Start in Life
2. Strike Leader
3. The PT, the Workers' Party
4. Persistent Candidate for the Presidency
5. Overview of the First Term
6. Domestic Policy
7. International and Economic Policy
8. Corruption and Scandal
9. The Elections of 2006
10. Lula So Far: An Interim Assessment

Notes
Select Bibliography
Index

"President Lula is perhaps the most elusive figure to have reached the top of Brazilian politics, and Richard Bourne's fine study of the man and his background is a well-researched and illuminating report. This is a trenchant, warts-and-all account of Lula's career, charting his rise from leftist, trade union activism to moderate statesmanship of a familiar Brazilian pattern. In spite of damaging incidents of political corruption, analyzed here in critical detail, Bourne explains convincingly how Lula's unusual popular touch, coupled with his astute manipulation of the existing political system, enabled him to outshine his rivals and win two election victories."