This two-volume publication presents the history of the response to the AIDS epidemic in Brazil based on the report of its protagonists over the years 1983-2003. In the first volume, it shows in details the creation processes of the first measures taken when the epidemic started to spread in various states of the country, the first treatment clinics that were created, and the beginning and the structuring of the National AIDS Programme. It also describes the consolidation of AIDS public policies in Brazil, and how much the impacts of preventive educational campaigns and strategies have contributed to strengthen the action for combating the disease. All these actions have made the country to become an international model for responding to the AIDS epidemic. In the second volume, the publication broadly presents the involvement, the participation, and the fostering actions taken by civil society. These initiatives have been fundamental to successful results in Brazil in the fight against this terrible disease. In addition, the publication is in line with the United Nations Millennium Development Goal (MDG) number 6 to combat AIDS and other diseases, in an attempt to contribute to other countries to accelerate development processes in the combat of AIDS. The two volumes are accessible to all through Open Access.