The Paulista War Vol.2 Book Review
By David L. Veres
| Date of Review | February 2022 | Title | The Paulista War Vol.2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Javier Garcia de Gabiola | Publisher | Helion |
| Published | 2021 | ISBN | 9781913336370 |
| Format | 102 pages, hardbound | MSRP (USD) | $29.95 |
Review
Javier G. de Gabiola completes his spellbinding study of “The Last Civil War in Brazil, 1932” in volume 2 of The Paulista War – 24th in Helion’s terrific “Latin America@War” range.
Available in North America from Casemate, contents commence with addenda and errata to volume 1. That account detailed the conflict’s principal Paraíba Valley fighting in secessionist São Paulo state.
De Gabiola’s illuminating effort then segues to combat in other sectors.
Rebel “Constitutionalist” forces – also called “Paulistas” – faced locally formidable Federal formations of dictator Getúlio Vargas.
Despite months of bitter fighting, such disparate odds spelled certain Paulista defeat. And superior numbers of Federal forces – both land and air – eventually bludgeoned rebels into submission.
De Gabiola chronicles key actions, encounters, and incidents – both land and air, including the Western Hemisphere’s first aerial victory claim. Maps graphically chart combat. Tables distill narrative details. And text recaps other failed revolts.
Color plates – vehicles, armored trains, aircraft, and uniforms – will stimulate your modeling muse. And period photos, archival images, even recruiting posters further adorn the account.
Nitpicks?
That’s a Curtiss JN-4 Jenny on page 5, lower-right – not a DH.60 Moth. And Brazilian warplanes bore serials – not “license plates”.
Additionally, De Gabiola probably means “cowling” – not “engine protection”. And many shots of “1915” Adrian steel helmets lack characteristic rim bulges of M15 models. So do they actually depict later M26 versions?
Finally, I wish de Gabiola replicated volume 1’s map of Brazilian states for us who’ve forgotten such geographic details. And I wish he hadn’t replicated volume 1’s awkward diction errors!
Stuff like that.
Still, none of this diminishes the value of this superb study. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
References and endnotes complete coverage.
Recommended!
With thanks to Casemate Publishing for the review copy!