1808 by Laurentino Gomes 1822 also by Laurentino Gomes 1808-1834 by Paulo Setubal
All three of them have to do with the circumstances surrounding the Portuguese Royal Family fleeing from Napoleon and settling in Rio de Janeiro, and the time period following Brazil's declaration of Independence. In particular Laurentino Gomes' books became very popular in Brazil and are very informal and fun in how they treat this information. Paulo Setubal's book is more focused on the biography of Emperor Pedro I, who declared Brazil's independence.
Empire Adrift by Patrick Wilcken
Same as above, except the author is Australian and the book was originally published in English, therefore it's probably easier to find a copy you can read.
The Brazilian Sun by Lilia Moritz Schwarcz
About the French Artistic Mission, who were supposedly hired by the Brazilian Emperor on commission to paint pictures of Brazilian scenery and lifestyle, but in reality they were also artists fleeing from Napoleon and begged the Emperor for a job to justify their stay, which he granted out of pity. I haven't finished it yet but it's really interesting so far!
And for something that isn't about Brazil,
Unexplained Mysteries of WWII by William Breuer
A book about weird shit that went down during the war. Some stories are really funny, some are rather disturbing but they're all pretty fascinating and would probably entertain a Hetalia fan. It's like a collection of little anecdotes and speculations and snippets of unknown history, and I had a lot of fun reading it.
Re: ITT: rec some historical non-fiction
1822 also by Laurentino Gomes
1808-1834 by Paulo Setubal
All three of them have to do with the circumstances surrounding the Portuguese Royal Family fleeing from Napoleon and settling in Rio de Janeiro, and the time period following Brazil's declaration of Independence. In particular Laurentino Gomes' books became very popular in Brazil and are very informal and fun in how they treat this information. Paulo Setubal's book is more focused on the biography of Emperor Pedro I, who declared Brazil's independence.
Empire Adrift by Patrick Wilcken
Same as above, except the author is Australian and the book was originally published in English, therefore it's probably easier to find a copy you can read.
The Brazilian Sun by Lilia Moritz Schwarcz
About the French Artistic Mission, who were supposedly hired by the Brazilian Emperor on commission to paint pictures of Brazilian scenery and lifestyle, but in reality they were also artists fleeing from Napoleon and begged the Emperor for a job to justify their stay, which he granted out of pity. I haven't finished it yet but it's really interesting so far!
And for something that isn't about Brazil,
Unexplained Mysteries of WWII by William Breuer
A book about weird shit that went down during the war. Some stories are really funny, some are rather disturbing but they're all pretty fascinating and would probably entertain a Hetalia fan. It's like a collection of little anecdotes and speculations and snippets of unknown history, and I had a lot of fun reading it.