Portuguese history is some of the most interesting (for interesting read: bloody, imperial, adventurous and war-like) on the planet. Every human trait, good and bad, is on display. All set against the epic backdrop of one of the largest maritime empires the world has known. Modern Portuguese history makes a good read, too. Replete with quasi-fascist dictatorships, corrupt and weak democracies, heroics statesmen and women and the daily toil of those who pay for it all. Just like home, really, but Portuguese!