This work investigates the historical development and cultural evolution of capoeira as a distinct Afro-Brazilian martial art. Matthias Röhrig Assunção, a scholar specializing in Latin American history, utilizes extensive archival research and oral histories to reconstruct the origins of the practice. He argues that capoeira serves as a vital expression of resistance and identity for the African diaspora in Brazil, tracing its transformation from a marginalized street practice to a global cultural phenomenon.

Experts recognize this text as the definitive historical account of capoeira available in the English language. Scholars frequently cite the book for its rigorous academic approach and its ability to contextualize the martial art within the broader history of the African diaspora.