8 breathtaking books written by journalists

The work of reporters is essential to keeping society informed about the most relevant events. These professionals, for example, play a key role in democracy, investigating and disseminating cases of corruption and other irregularities, often involving public figures and authorities.

The importance of the profession was highlighted in 1910, when Rui Barbosa, in a remarkable speech at the Brazilian Press Association (ABI), defended freedom of expression as a fundamental right. With that in mind, we have prepared a list of 8 books written by reporters. Readings involve themes such as military dictatorship, wars and personal experiences. Check it out!

1. Crime without punishment

The unprecedented opening of a lawsuit for homicide and concealment of the former federal deputy Rubens Paiva, on May 26, 2014, made a new path in the Brazilian judiciary against the impunity of crimes committed by military during the dictatorship that began in 1964.

In this book, the author Juliana Dal Piva Smiúça thousands of pages on investigations made since 1971 on the disappearance of the former deputy. It is also reported as the dictatorship has closely monitored every step of those interested in unraveling the case to ensure that it was not reached the truth.

An interview with Nicolás Maduro that lasted only 17 minutes reveals the backstage of a meeting scheduled for tension, censorship and resistance. Reporter Jorge Ramos exposes details of the confrontation with the Venezuelan president, who confiscated equipment, stopped journalists and tried to silence the truth. The work brings the transcription of the censored interview and reports of a country devastated by hunger and repression, defending journalism as a voice against tyranny.

3. Days of hell in Syria

A large report on one of the most relevant subjects in the world today. With rare competence and not without a certain lack of responsibility for the risks he decided to take, Klester Cavalcanti puts us in the epicenter of the conflict and leads us to feel the emotion and fear of those who were within the war. In Syria, the author was arrested by the official troops, tortured and imprisoned for six days in a cell that divided with dozens of detainees. The result is this book, which presents the Syrian conflict of an unprecedented perspective.

4. And the truth will set them free

Journalist Ricardo Alexandre, winner of the Jabuti Award, investigates the complex relations Between Brazilian politics and the evangelical segment, which gained prominence in the elections of Jair Bolsonaro. The work travels striking moments, such as the 2013 demonstrations, the impeachment of Dilma Rousseff and the Lava Jato scandals, until she reaches the rise of the former president. Based on a solid historical analysis and scriptures, the author reflects on the impacts of polarization in Brazil and proposes new ways for the reconciliation of society.

5. Crime Officers

This book is a deep and devastating immersion in the bowels of the Rio de Janeiro Military Police, where corruption led by the high patents erodes the integrity of a fundamental institution for public safety, causing the command elite to become part of an organization criminal as dangerous as the factions it should fight.

Sérgio Ramalho’s work is an alert for all citizens who believe in justice and ethics as pillars of a dignified society. By reading, you will understand why the fight against corruption is urgent and unavoidable, and how the future of Brazil depends on facing these challenges head on.

6.

Reverse by its passages in major vehicles of the Brazilian press, journalist Barbara Gancia has become a symbol of the fight against alcoholism. The book presents the testimony of the author’s own journey with the disease, which kills 12 people per hour in the country, according to data from the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz). With your honest and deep report on the challenges of recoverythe author encourages collective support to those seeking a new beginning.

7. Storm of the Storm

This book describes the lessons that the journalist Daniel Scola learned after discovering and facing the biggest storm of his life: a rare cancer on his head. The value he gave to things and now worth much more. The disease has reached its main capacity, to speak. He had surgery, thirty radiotherapy sessions and six cycles of chemotherapy. He partially lost his leg movement, but survived to tell the story. And to make a warning: that life is to be lived and valued at all times and in all situations.

8. Live from Ukraine

This book shows the horrors of the war in Ukraine, told by Brazilian journalist João Alencar, who was witness to the key moments of the conflict, from the beginning of the Maidan Revolution in 2013, the annexation of Crimea in 2014 to the Russian invasion, In 2022. A moment of sadness and anguish, which unfolds over the soaked soil, leaving behind a trail of shattered dreams, lost lives and devastated families. In the midst of the carnage, the work shows scenes of compassion, as a fragile glimpse of hope.

By Lucas Koehler