On the 50^th anniversary of the beginning of the military dictatorship in Brazil, FGV Press launches ?O golpe de 1964: momentos decisivos? (The 1964 coup: turning points). Written by the historian Carlos Fico, the work does not only details events which took place during that period, but also invites society to reflect on the strength of democratic institutions in the country today.Considered a key event in the recent history of Brazil, the 1964 coup sealed the beginning of a military regime that lasted 21 years. But on that March 31, when the then president João Goulart was deposed, people didn't know that the coup did not necessarily presuppose the dictatorship that followed.Fico reinforces that the coup had the support of a part of the society and that many people and institutions who approved the initiative at first regretted it over time - the press, the Catholic Church and broad sectors of the urban middle class.The book presents some background to the 1964 coup, such as the unexpected arrival of Goulart to power and the political crisis that preceded his overthrow. It then addresses the coup itself and the dramatic moments lived in Brazil between March and April of that year. Finally, we'll see how the coup turned into a dictatorship, that is, how the event of March 1964 became the opening event of the longest authoritarian regime of the republican Brazil.For the historian, there is a tendency in society to see the coup as an opening event; however, he believes that the event is the most contemporary expression of the persistent Brazilian authoritarianism.With a light and objective narrative, the author tries to talk to the reader, exposing his doubts and uncertainties. History sees the truth as a utopian horizon. It's not a mirage, but we can only see it - allow me the apparent contradiction - closing our eyes. The word horizon does not only mean a person's field of vision, but it also means the representation of the limits of consciousness, memory, and mental visual images that formed when we close our eyes. Dialoguing with the reader seems to me the right way to the often fruitless search of the truth, he explains.This book is part of FGV Pocket Collection, which comprises the synthetic works on various subjects. Through clear objectives and texts, this collection of FGV Press allows the reader to delve into various topics, quickly and effectively.The launch will be today, March 18, at Livraria da Travessa, in Leblon. The author will welcome visitors with a chat about this important moment in the history of Brazil from 7:30 pm.