published by editora fgv, un século de favela (a century of favelas) tells rio's story through the different viewpoints off eleven intellectuals. the information was selected and edited by award winning and internationally recognized urban anthropologist alba zaluar and professor marcos alvito.

this book examines very different representations of favelas, ranging from their exclusion from rio's official maps, to their presentations on colorful pamphlets for international tourists.

through a century-old journey, favelas are shown to be micro-cosmos in continuous expansion, mutation, and integration into the rest of rio following separate rules and hierarchies. 

further, favelas are shown as precarious homes for the poor and a source of human ingenuity -  this book is also available via google books and can be read on this link.