Don't Blame It on Rio: The Real Deal Behind Why Men Go to Brazil for Sex

by Karen Hunter and Jewel Woods

Book Overview

This title reveals a secret society of cheating savvy businessmen and attempts to explain why they are going to Brazil to do it. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0446178063
• ISBN13: 9780446178068
• Release Date: April 2008
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Length: 305 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.7" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Not the whole story

This an interesting book. I agree with some of the authors ideas. But one would have to say that men are going there because the woman can be enjoyed and exploited due to economics. If these woman had the options would they be so available to be with the men as companions. It is sad that Black male and Female relationships are so complex at times and not beneficial to either party. I am glad I read the book.

Why Blame Anybody? [Leon's Rating: 3.50]

First of all, I would like to say that I was excited to see someone writing a book about this subject. This phenomenon (black men traveling overseas for sex and companionship) isn't really new. This has been going on for years, but people are just now talking about it. There's not very many books about black male sexuality in the African-American book market. And for the few that are out there, most of them do not celebrate black male sexuality, due to the fact that they paint unhealthy pictures (which is quite acceptable in America). Although black men traveling to Brazil for sex and other "good times" is a reality (yet an overrated reality), I can't say that I am really satisfied with the level Jewel Woods has taken it to. For those of you who have yet to read this book, expect nothing more than a Brazilian heterosexual version of "On the Down Low". The only differences is that this book isn't based on Jewel's personal experiences (if he's ever had any) and there's no homosexual behavior involved. This book is mainly based on the interviews/commentaries & observations of a few select men who has traveled to Brazil before (who doesn't represent an entire group of men). I applaud the fact that the author doesn't bore us with scientific data and academic terminologies. However, not only does this man coddle to black women, he makes some unnecessary assumptions based on how a few men feel about black women, women with "extra meat on their bones", men who has been to Brazil those who encourages their friends, sons and neighbors to go, etc... This book was obviously written for black women. I say this because for one, he starts this book by saying that black men traveling to Brazil is "The New Down Low" (or "Black America's biggest secret"); claiming that this is destroying black women (in regards to their health & psyche) as well as the black family structure. He adds, too, that this is creating a further distance between black men and women. He shares the sentiments of black women who are against this simply by accusing black men of "objectifying" women, being hypersexual and saying these men will never make decent role models for young black men (regardless of class). Similar to J.L. King's "On the Down Low", he dishes out scare tactics and (eight) warning signs that can tell a woman if her black husband/boyfriend is traveling to Brazil for sex. He "warns" black women that if the black men in their lives are learning to speak an alternative language, to be careful, because they could be doing so to woo women overseas in non-English speaking countries. What Jewel Woods (the author) is doing, whether he realizes it or not, is producing even more paranoia and friction in the souls of black women simply by assuming that black men are only educating themselves just to "get away" from black women and get their "freak" on. Jewel claims that there is no "shortage" of black men and that it's just a myth. I do agree with this. Contrary to public opini

Good book, provocative and thought provoking.

I really enjoyed reading the book. The book talks about the frustrations of some African American men in the middle class, and how this plays out in their trips to Brazil and interaction with Brazilian prostitutes. All of the issues that were laid out in the book aren't mine, but even if they aren't, I can remember those points being discussion points when hanging out with some of my friends. I like how the book was written, easy to digest and not lost in a bunch of academic terminology. I think that his writing style will get a lot more people to read it. The question of are Black women necessary is an interesting one. As an African American man who has been to "Copa" -Copacabana in Rio, I like how Woods' dealt with the contrast between the dream created in Copa and the reality lived in the U.S. What I like best is the issue at hand for many African American men, which is to come home to a safe environment, where they feel respected for the battles they fight everday. I think it is pretty acceptable in a lot of literature to explore African American women's needs, but what about the Brotha's. I know "Copa" is fake, but what is real is that many African American men are looking for things they are just not getting. The Chapter just drinking and sexing is real accurate about the "Copa" experience. I can't say Brazil experience, because Copa is a tourist area, which caters to foreigners. If you move into other areas of the city, or other cities in Brazil, the experience is different, and in my view much better -or real. The quotes from the men who have went do good job of describing how intoxicating the experience is, and the type of impression it leaves on some of the men who experience it. I also like how it describes how African American men treat one another there. In Copa, for the most part, there is no fighting, no disrespect, and you can find guys who may not interact otherwise, having good conversations with one another. The Hip Hop and porn issues are interesting. I liked how Woods, through the stories of the guys, explored how men in Brazil were defining their own sexuality, and then in turn, questioned the validity of it. I liked the chapters that dealt with some of the gender confusion African American men have with African American women -have been through some of them- and how it causes a lot of frustration amongst brotha's. I think if anything, it is hard for some African American men to find their voice -outside of locker rooms- about their gender issues with African American women. It is more than just sex. It's the whole role issue of who is supposed to do what in a relationship. I think the projection of femininity put on prostitutes who are getting paid to provide an illusion is about as much of a stretch as looking to pornography to define what sex in a relationship is supposed to be like. The weight issue is deep. Again, there aren't many legitimate forums to discuss these issues without getting bashed for be

Very Good And Intelligent Book That Covers Plenty Of Points If View From Black Men

I am an african american male who owns a travel event website and company that deals with black male and female travel excursions so I read the book with great interest. In fact I finished the 300 plus page book in 4 hours, it was THAT good. I have traveled to Brazil a few times and can relate to what the author was saying as it relates to why black men travel to Brazil. I love all the personal experience from many different men on the reasons why they go to Brazil. I originally heard about the author in Essence magazine. The magazine article gave a small glimpse of what happens in Brazil for many black men who come for the first time so when I heard he was doing a book I thought the book was very well researched and gave a good balance on the many different reasons why men travel to this destination. Alot of people think that sex is a driving force. Now make no mistake it is important but not really the most important because most men can get sex in the US. It has to do with much more then that. For example: Most women from the time they become teenagers to present are so used to getting attention and chased by all types of men on a daily basis that they almost become immune and it becomes expected. They expect men to pay for everything. They expect gifts. They expect men to compete for their affection and there is nothing wrong with that. However Most black men do not get that type of yearly let alone daily attention that women receive...so after 30 years and finally becoming that successful businessman, lawyer, doctor, teachers or any successful occupation and being able to want to relax and meet attractive nice women ....they are looking for a place where they can get attention too. They land in a place where thousands of extremely beautiful women chase you down the street ( whether fantasy or not) saying things and DOING things .... that you never thought would happen in your lifetime which in turn becomes a life changing event for many men who travel for the first time. In one solid week, everything you have always wanted in a women or relationship becomes a reality. I think the author touched on so many feelings on why so many men travel to Brazil that it deserves a rock solid A+ for covering so many area. Now the only thing I would disagree with ( if at all ) is the scare tactic that the book presents. Although there are alot of many who go to Brazil, its a myth to think that black women are in danger of this phenomenon and that most professional black men are going to Brazil and leaving women in the US behind. Sure, I think there are many men who travel to Brazil but NOWHERE near any sizable numbers of men compared to how many black men are in the US. 99% of men will NEVER go to Brazil because of cost, travel distance and the amount of effort it takes to fly to Brazil.. We are talking about a select few individuals in country of millions who have found about what I like to call the "Black Fantasy Island" In