Laurentino Gomes, a Brazilian journalist, is the author of 1808: how a mad queen, a fearful prince and a corrupt court deceived Napoleon and changed the History of Portugal and Brazil forever, last year's best-selling nonfiction book in the Portuguese language. With over 600,000 copies sold in Brazil and Portugal, the book describes the Portuguese royal family's move to Rio de Janeiro two hundred years ago, fleeing Napoleon's invasion of Portugal. The book also won major literary prizes in Brazil in 2008, such as the prestigious Jabuti "Book of the Year." It was also voted the best essay of 2008 by the Brazilian Academy of Letters. Laurentino lives in São Paulo. For more information on the writer visit www.laurentinogomes.com.br.