Book Recommendations: 18th and 19th South America

In relation to an alternate history project I intend to look into this summer, I am interested in studying up on 18th and 19th century South American history, Brazilian history in particular. The goal of my project is to create a timeline in which the Brazilian Empire has taken over the role of the British Empire by the end of the 19th century (I am anticipating Napoleon to create a lot more problems in this timeline), and where South America is far more politically stable than Europe, far more industrialized and far wealthier. For that, I'd like someone to recommend me a few books on South American history, in English, as I fear I can speak neither Spanish nor Portuguese.

Thanks in advance.
 
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