A Revolução Portugueza: O 31 de Janeiro (Porto 1891) by Francisco Jorge de Abreu

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A Revolução Portugueza: O 31 de Janeiro (Porto 1891) by Francisco Jorge de Abreu

(5 User reviews) 1206

By Angela Green Posted on Jan 17, 2026

In Category - Extreme Travel

Authors: Abreu, Francisco Jorge de, 1878-1932 Published By : Abreu, Francisco Jorge de, 1878-1932

Book Language: Portuguese

Hey, have you ever heard about the time Portugal almost had a revolution in 1891? I just finished this incredible book that feels like a forgotten spy thriller, but it's all true. It's called 'A Revolução Portugueza: O 31 de Janeiro' and it's by Francisco Jorge de Abreu. Forget dry history – this reads like you're right there in the streets of Porto on a freezing January night. It's about a group of military officers, republicans, and everyday citizens who tried to overthrow the Portuguese monarchy in one dramatic, doomed uprising. The author was actually there, which makes it feel so immediate. You get the secret meetings, the coded messages, the last-minute plans gone wrong, and the sheer chaos of a city in revolt. It's not just about kings and politics; it's about what drives ordinary people to risk everything for an idea. The tension is real because you know how it ends, but you can't help hoping this time might be different. If you like stories about underdogs, real-life conspiracies, and moments that change a nation's path, you need to read this. It's a hidden piece of European history that packs a serious emotional punch.

File: A Revolução Portugueza: O 31 de Janeiro (Porto 1891) by Francisco Jorge de Abreu

So, what's this book actually about? Let's break it down.

The Story

On January 31, 1891, in the city of Porto, a rebellion exploded. This book is the blow-by-blow account of that day. The author, Francisco Jorge de Abreu, doesn't just report the facts; he puts you in the middle of it. You follow the republican plotters—army officers, lawyers, shopkeepers—as they scramble to organize a revolt against the Portuguese monarchy. Their goal was simple and huge: to end the king's rule and establish a republic.

The plan involved seizing key military barracks and government buildings. But from the start, things go sideways. Messages are missed. Allies fail to show up. The loyalist forces are quicker to react than anyone expected. What unfolds is less a clean military operation and more a messy, passionate, and tragic street fight. Abreu shows you the confusion, the bravery, and the heartbreaking moments when the revolutionaries realize their dream is slipping away. The rebellion is crushed in less than a day, but its impact echoes for decades.

Why You Should Read It

This isn't a distant history lesson. Abreu writes with the urgency of someone who witnessed it. You feel the cold Porto rain, hear the confusion of shouted orders, and see the hope drain from people's faces. What stuck with me wasn't just the politics, but the human cost. These were real people who bet their lives on a better future and lost.

The book makes you ask big questions. What makes a cause worth dying for? How does a failed event become a legendary stepping stone? (This 1891 uprising became a rallying cry, and Portugal did become a republic less than 20 years later). It's about how failure can sometimes plant the seeds for eventual success.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for anyone who thinks history is boring. It's the opposite. It's for readers who love true stories of conspiracy and courage, like Killers of the Flower Moon or Devil in the White City, but set in 19th-century Europe. It's also a must-read for anyone interested in how modern Portugal was shaped. You don't need to be an expert; Abreu guides you through. Just be ready for a story that is exciting, sobering, and deeply human. It’s a powerful reminder that history is made by people, not just dates and treaties.