Salazar: A Political Biography

António de Oliveira Salazar, a Portuguese dictator who ruled for 40 years (1928–1968), is the subject of Salazar: A Political Biography. He was an academic who focused on government and administration, managing the country's finances during the Great Depression and preserving neutrality during the Second World War. He was conservative and relied on secrecy and a police state to maintain order, rejecting anti-colonialist movements and plunging Portugal into wars in Africa. This book is a valuable resource for historians of the far right, international diplomacy, and Portugal.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 622 pages
Publication date: 05 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

António de Oliveira Salazar, a prominent Portuguese dictator, is the subject of Salazar: A Political Biography, which is widely regarded as the definitive account of his life. Salazar's political career began when Herbert Hoover was the President of the United States and concluded during the Johnson administration. He held power for a remarkable forty years (1928-1968), one of the longest tenures in modern history. Unlike other dictators of the twentieth century, Salazar was an academic who deeply immersed himself in the intricacies of government and administration. He maintained an impressive work rate until illness forced his retirement. Despite the challenges posed by the Great Depression, Salazar successfully managed the finances of his country, implementing a harsh policy of austerity. He also played a crucial role in preserving Portugal's neutrality during the Second World War, ultimately siding with Great Britain and the United States. However, it is important to note that Salazar was a deeply conservative and even reactionary statesman. He relied on secrecy and a police state to maintain order, believing that this was necessary to control progress. He rejected anti-colonialist movements in Asia and Africa, leading Portugal into a series of wars in Africa that it could ill afford.

This book has been thoroughly revised and updated to provide the most comprehensive and accurate account of Salazar's life. It will be of interest to historians of the far right, international diplomacy, and Portugal.

Weight: 940g
Dimension: 158 x 236 x 39 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032455747
Edition number: 2 ed