This volume of collected articles is the first to focus exclusively on the history of homosexuality in the Portuguese-speaking world. Of the thirteen studies included, nine make available for the first time in English the work of eminent Luso-Brazilian historians, including no less than three by the preeminent researcher in the field, Professor Luiz Mott of the Federal University of Bahia. Two others analyze in detail the first novels, "The Baron of Lavos" in Portugal and "Bom-Crioulo" in Brazil--both written in the 1890s--that portray a homosexual relationship in a frankly realistic way. The collection should serve as essential reading for courses in Portuguese and Brazilian social history.

Even before its budget crisis and recall election, California held a unique position in the United States. Often lauded as having the fifth largest economy in the world, California leads the nation in other measures as well, particularly cultural and political trends. But were it an independent state, it would have one of the world's most unusual democracies. In The California Republic Brian P. Janiskee and Ken Masugi bring together a diverse group of contributors to shed light on the Progressive nature of California government. In addition to thorough treatment of perennial issues like affirmative action, gun control, and education, the work goes outside the conventional understanding of political issues to examine such topics as the Hollywood western, the electronic media, and California's revolutionary founding. Accordingly, the contributors include not only political scientists and historians, but journalists and political activists as well. The result is a clear exploration of the evolution of Progressive government in California and its contemporary policy consequences.