This standard work by Brazilian author Ruy Castro reconstructs the life of the Bohemian scene and the cultural awakening in Brazil during the 1950s and 1960s. From there, Bossa Nova began its triumphant journey, eventually spreading across the globe. To assemble this fascinating mosaic that explains both the music genre and the associated lifestyle, Ruy Castro interviewed numerous eyewitnesses and earwitnesses for 18 months: composers, singers, and instrumentalists. The result is a narrative that reads like a novel, complete with all the necessary elements: love, passion, and rejection, comedic and tragic events, alliances and intrigues. Key figures include Joao Gilberto, Tom Jobim, Carlinhos Lyra, and Elis Regina, along with the legions of young people around the world who are drawn to their charm.