German-speaking immigrants who left Europe between 1890 and 1975 for Brazil's southern states - Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and Paraná - contributed far out of proportion to their percentage in the population to development and modernization of Brazil's agriculture, business and small-scale industry. They functioned as agents of change, as entrepreneurs willing to assume great risks, thus becoming a decisive factor in Brazil's industrial development.
"This historical account of the entrepreneurial thrust of German migration to southern Brazil is original, well-documented and informative. By focusing on the role of outsiders as entrepreneurs, it provides a dynamic chapter, one generally overlooked in Luso-Brazilian history. Filled with insightful perspectives, this is a must for economists as well as for historians." (Professor Nelson H. Vieira, Director, Center for Portuguese and Brazilian Studies, Brown University)
"Having watched Marion Pinsdorf develop the theme of this book, it is a pleasure to commend it to serious students of Brazil. She is uniquely qualified to address this important contribution of immigrant streams to Brazil's diversity and greatness." (Ambassador Frank J. Devine, Retired, President, Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce)
"Dr. Pinsdorf has identified the economic contributions of German speaking immigrants, innovators who developed untapped sectors of the Brazilian economy and transferred their advanced skills to an underdeveloped country. Dr. Pinsdorf provides thoughtful insight into the contribution of these early pioneers, including Pinsdorf who migrated in the 1890s to Mato Grosso." (Arthur R. Taylor, Dean, Fordham University, Graduate School of Business Administration)
"Having watched Marion Pinsdorf develop the theme of this book, it is a pleasure to commend it to serious students of Brazil. She is uniquely qualified to address this important contribution of immigrant streams to Brazil's diversity and greatness." (Ambassador Frank J. Devine, Retired, President, Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce)
"Dr. Pinsdorf has identified the economic contributions of German speaking immigrants, innovators who developed untapped sectors of the Brazilian economy and transferred their advanced skills to an underdeveloped country. Dr. Pinsdorf provides thoughtful insight into the contribution of these early pioneers, including Pinsdorf who migrated in the 1890s to Mato Grosso." (Arthur R. Taylor, Dean, Fordham University, Graduate School of Business Administration)