D. Duarte, um Homem de Causas

[rchainho]

The book about the Duke of Bragança
DOM DUARTE, UM HOMEM DE CAUSAS
(trad. Dom Duarte, a man of causes)

Author: CORREIA, PALMIRA
Colection: TEMAS DE HOJE FIGURAS
Editor: DOM QUIXOTE
Language: Portuguese
Price: 12.00 €

In: http://www.fnac.pt

[Elsa M.]

D. Duarte got married 10 years ago (on May 13th, 1995), at the age of 50 years old. Ten years later, the journalist Palmira Correia heard from the heir to the disestablished Portuguese throne about the balance of his married life and about his experience as a delayed father that so much catches his enthusiasm. Dom Duarte equally speaks about his causes, about his connections with the European royal houses, about the trips he has made around the world, as well as his childhood, his parents, the time lived in the exile, his memories of Switzerland (where he was born), along with his experience in the Military College and later the military service in Angola, on active service to the Portuguese Air Force.
Timor, the Democracy conquered after April 25th 1974, the independence of the former colonies, the defence of the environment, mutualism and the traces of the Portuguese culture disseminated around the world are also some of the subjects treated in this book.

It is available in:
http://www.webboom.pt/ficha.asp?ID=110947

[Marengo]

I assume the book is only in portuguese?

[BeatrixFan]

Editor: DOM QUIXOTE

Wasn't that the Man from La Mancha?

[Elsa M.]

Originally Posted by Marengo

I assume the book is only in portuguese?

Yes. It's only in Portuguese...

Originally Posted by BeatrixFan

Wasn't that the Man from La Mancha?

Yes, D. Quijote de la Mancha is the hero of Cervantes' novel... but it's also the name of a Portuguese editor.

[Marengo]

Did you read the book Elsa? And do you know if it sells well?

[Elsa M.]

I took a glance of it in the library, but I didn't buy it. Actually, it's a short edition (I don't exactly remember how many copies is it, but it's not a big edition). To tell the truth, monarchy is not that popular in Portugal and I believe the book is only bought by a few monarchists and perhaps some other people, who may be curious about what the heir to the throne has to say.
We have strong republican convictions here and, although the royal family is looked with sympathy (especially after the wedding, 10 years ago), the truth is that nobody takes them quite seriously...

[Marengo]

Thanks Elsa, I have the same impression. But still, the wedding of Dom Duarte was so magnificent, even compared to crownprinces of reigning houses. And of course the republic is very respectfull to him & invites him to many state events, especially if foreign royalty comes to visit Portugal.

[Elsa M.]

Originally Posted by Marengo

Thanks Elsa, I have the same impression. But still, the wedding of Dom Duarte was so magnificent, even compared to crownprinces of reigning houses. And of course the republic is very respectfull to him & invites him to many state events, especially if foreign royalty comes to visit Portugal.

You are right, Marengo. Their wedding was a peculiar thing to be seen: the head of a disestablished royal house got married and not only it was attended by the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister and most members of the cabinet, but the whole celebration was turned into a state occasion, with a mega TV live transition and a multitude shouting "Viva o rei"! All this in a country where nobody takes the royal family's pretensions quite seriously... Perhaps that's why they are treated with so much sympathy... they don't represent any danger