This lavishly photographed book conveys all the bright imagery spectacular costumes and irrrestible pulsating music that is Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro.

The glorious photos take you right there to the fabulously costumed or scantily clad dancers to the samba schools escolas de samba dancing and parading through the streets. You'll read the history of the escolas the beginnings of carnival and the lavish preparations that go into the making of carnival. Read while you listen to the attached CD some selections recorded on site and absorb the textures and sounds of carnival. The CD has twelve live recordings and eight of the best sambas that defy you not to dance along.

The book is good sized definitely one to share with others and return to any time you need an uplift and a taste of the exuberance that is Rio in Carnival.

Author Helmut Teissl was born and still lives in Austria but he has visited Brazil many times and in this book he shares his love for Carnival.

Reviewed by Bonnie Hamre Guide to South America for Visitors. Bonnie is a published author of historical and contemporary novels.