This isn't your typical historical narrative. Portugal enfermo por vicios, e abusos de ambos os sexos (which translates to 'Portugal Sick from the Vices and Abuses of Both Sexes') is more like a long, urgent public letter or a doctor's grim report.

The Story

There's no plot in the novel sense. Instead, author José Daniel Rodrigues da Costa lays out his diagnosis for what's ailing Portugal in his time. He goes through what he sees as the major moral failings and bad habits of Portuguese society, criticizing both men and women. He argues these personal vices—things like laziness, vanity, and corruption—aren't just private matters. He believes they add up to a national sickness that's making the country weak and vulnerable. The whole book is his attempt to sound the alarm and prescribe a cure based on a return to stricter morals.

Why You Should Read It

You read this for the voice. Costa isn't a detached historian; he's in the arena, frustrated and shouting. It’s fascinating to see which behaviors he singles out as destructive. His perspective is a product of its time, often strict and judgmental by our standards, but that's what makes it a powerful primary source. You get to peer directly into the anxieties and values of the late 18th century Portuguese elite. It's less about whether he was 'right' and more about understanding the fears that shaped his world.

Final Verdict

Perfect for history buffs and anyone who loves analyzing society through a critical, contemporary lens. If you enjoy reading old pamphlets, fiery sermons, or social critiques, this offers that same raw energy. It's not a light read, but it’s a short, concentrated dose of one man's passionate worldview. You'll come away with a much more vivid, opinionated, and human understanding of Portugal's past than any textbook could provide.