Book Description

The Souls of Your Feet is a comprensive guide to the art and language of tap dance. Complete with basic technique and creative variations, this guidebook shows the beginning dancer how to build a strong foundation in this wonderful American artform as well as expand the experienced dancer's choreographic and improvisational creativity.Traditional tap dance figures and choruses to include The B.S. Chorus and The Shim Sham Shimmy are some of many basic structures covered in this guidebook. Numerous references are made to the legends of tap dance including Charles "Honi" Coles, Brenda Bufalino, Jimmy Slyde, Sarah Petonio, Savion Glover and many others securing the artform to itshistorical roots. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

One of the most complete tap books available!
Great Book on Tap! Highly Recommend it!

A word of caution...
This book helped me a LOT, I have to admit to that. But experienced tap dancers beware: looking at words that describe steps can be extremely frustrating when you can't visually see them done. Acia has written some wonderful pearls of wisdom within this book, and I highly reccommend it to any serious tap dancer

Wonderful!
Thanks to Acia M. Gray for writing a book that's not just somebody elses steps! I was so excited to see that this book gives tools to make up your own stuff. I will say that some of the terminology is different than I'm used to but it clarifies tap dance in a way that makes sense and lays down a foundation on which to play! An intelligent guide to the "language" of rhythm with your feet.

A treasure for the open minded
This book is a must for beginners. Ms. Gray's definitions make sense. The concepts if taught from the beginning, carry the dancer easily into the advanced levels. Those who do not like the book are struggling with their own closed minds not any shortcomings on Ms. Gray's part. If we all had learned tap with these unique concepts so many bad habits would not have to be "re-learned." I have taught tap for 19 years and all my students have adapted the curriculum provided in "The Souls of Your Feet." The historical descriptions and resource information have proven invaluable as well.

Very confusing
It was more confusing than any other book I have ever read about tap or any other type of dance. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

A how-to book featuring the timeless art of belly dancing. Belly dancing is not only beautiful and mysterious; it?s also sexy and a serious workout! Rania will teach women the history and symbolism of belly dancing while helping them tone-up and dance their way to the body they?ve always wanted.Simple at-home routines will address problem spots and shed a decidedly different light on how to effectively shake the pounds off and shimmy the muscle tone on. An instrumental CD completes the package. ... Read more

Book Description

This text presents easy-to-follow lesson plans for instructors who have no previous experience in teaching dance to children. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Wonderful
Shipped quickly!!! Wonderful condition! I would buy from seller again!

Give Them Wings
First Steps in Teaching Creative Dance to Children is an excellent tool for the aspiring dance teacher. Mary Joyce prepares the beginning dance instructor and offers innovative ideas for seasoned teachers. As a dance educator, I have drawn on this text many times to spice up my lesson plans! I highly recommend this book to any teacher working with children as Joyce inspires adults as well as children to find the magic in creative dance. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

With this brilliantly imagined and beautifully achieved work, Gretchen Warren has created the fisrt comprehensive, photgraphicaly illustrated reference and teaching guie on classical ballet technique. In more than 2,600 photographs, Johan Renvall, Cynthia Harvey, Susan Jaffe, and an array o other dancers from such companies as the American Ballet Theatre and the Joffrey Ballet demonstrate in sequence every movement in the classical repertoire, from the most basic to the most advanced.

The book's design matches each photograph with captions that details appropriate teaching techniques and describe the proper teaching techniques and describe the proper execution of each step. A glossary defines common dance terms, and a pronunciation guide provides phonetic transcriptions of French ballet terms. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

The Ultimate Ballet book
This wonderful book is a must have for any person who claims an interest in ballet. Whether you are a serious student , a beginner, or just a passionate observer, this book provides excellent instruction and beautiful photographs that walk you through every step of a movement. Provides helpful hints on classroom ettiquite, dress, etc., and is arranged to show the typical ballet class order. I have worn my copy to a very dog-eared state from constant use both at home and in class. Wonderful for teachers and students alike.

Best Reference Book
This book by Gretchen Ward has been the most useful and used book that I have as a reference for teaching ballet. The pictures are wonderful. They actually show photos and not poorly drawn pictures. It shows so many movements used in classical ballet, with pictures and descriptions. It also has a wonderful section for teachers, which give you tips and a teaching guide that gives you insight on the order of what you should teach at specific levels. This book is so organized and covers so much material. I love this book and highly recomend it to every teacher who teaches ballet!

Good Book
I think that this book is a very good book. It shows a lot of pictures so that we can follow to become a good ballerina. It also show pictures of common errors so that we can avoid making the common errors. I myself do not dance ballet, but I am very fond of this dancing. I have friends which dance ballet and they also found this book very useful.

A must for any dancer
This is the best and most complete book on ballet that I have ever seen. I like that this book uses pictures of professional dancers to demonstrate steps. This book is worth purchasing for the beautiful pictures alone. It covers the most basic movements to advanced combinations.
I want to stress that no book or video can substitute for lessons with a qualified teacher. The only way to master proper form is corrections from an experienced instructor. This book is an excellent supplement to lessons. It is a perfect way for students to review what they have been learning in class.

Good book, could use a lesson plan!
This is a wonderful book to reference proper ballet technique. I've returned to dancing on my own, for fitness, after 15 or so years away from proper lessons. With this book as a reference, I'm regaining confidence in how I move. If I were taking actual lessons, I would think it would be truly invaluable.

I'm a little disappointed that they didn't provide any sort of sample lesson plan. I had to find that in a different book. ... Read more

Book Description

GET IN SHAPE* HAVE FUN*TAP YOUR INNER BEAUTY

Packed with over 250 step-by-step photos and easy-to-follow instructions, Belly Dancing for Fitness offers you a quick and enjoyable way to learn all the basic belly dance movements, including:

slide*circles*twists*shimmies*undulations

figure eights*traveling steps*snake arms

World-renowned belly dancer Tamalyn Dallal shows you how to combine movements into spontaneous, creative dance routines that transform your physical, mental and spiritual well-being. The eight-week program in this book helps:

* Burn fat
* Tone abs, hips, thighs and arms
* Release stress
* Improve flexibility and posture
* Enhance your creativy and femininity

Belly Dancing for Fitness also offers fun tips on veils, hip scarves, costumes and finger cymbals; touches on the history of belly dance and Middle Eastern music; and provides recommendations (and ordering information) on the best workout CDs. ... Read more

Book Description

Should you ever give up the fast track? Could you settle down with the spirit of adventure still in your blood? And just how do you say "Mr. Wrong" in Spanish anyway? Fueled by tango addiction, the hope of romancing a sultry porteño, and a one-way ticket to Buenos Aires, Marina Palmer is about to find out.

Approaching her dreaded thirtieth birthday -- without a doting husband, a fabulous apartment, or children and a nanny -- Marina Palmer suddenly found herself adrift in anxiety. She was a successful advertising executive but was bored by her job. Lasting love was proving elusive and her weekly visit to the therapist had multiplied by three. Then, on a whimsical vacation to South America, Palmer discovered the passion that her life was missing. At a steamy two a.m. milonga, she caught her first glimpse of Argentina's signature dance and fell head over heels from the sidelines.

Leaving behind her fast-track career and her desperation to meet "the One," Palmer returned to Buenos Aires to pursue a new dream. Moving thousands of miles from friends and family, she arrived in Argentina seeking a dancing partner, storybook love, and the tango lessons that might ultimately help her earn a place on the professional circuit. Exploring her new city by day and seducing sexy Argentines on the dance floor by night, her tango obsession ruled her life. She'd never been thinner -- tango is the world's most erotic weight-loss plan! -- more confident, or closer to her definition of having it all.

From auditioning for the Broadway hit Forever Tango, to becoming a street dancer on the infamous calle Florida, to discovering just how irresistible the sizzling porteños can be, Marina Palmer chronicles her exhilarating misadventures in Buenos Aires in no-holds-barred diary-style confessions full of adventure, romance, heartbreak, and steamy sex.

Inspiring, outrageous, and bursting with passion, Kiss & Tango is the ideal book for anyone secretly daydreaming of taking their own gamble of a lifetime.

Book Description

ROUND ABOUT THE BALLET is a beautfiul full color coffeetable book featuring photos by renowned dance photographer Roy Round and profile/interviews by dance writer Joseph Carman.The New York Times dance critic Jennifer Dunning has contributed the introduction, and publisher William Cubberley is producer of this exquisite book.

Eight major artists from American Ballet Theatre and seven from New York City Ballet are revealed in Roy Round's breathtaking photos and Joseph Carman's fascinating and very personal interviews. They are: Maxim Beloserkovsky, Angel Corella, Irina Dvorovenko, Albert Evans, Marcelo Gomes, Nikolaj Hubbe, Julie Kent, Maria Kowroski, Vladimir Malakhov, Benjamin Millepied, Gillian Murphy, Jenifer Ringer, Jennie Somogyi, Ethan Stiefel and Wendy Whelan ... Read more

Book Description

Discusses all basic principles of ballet, grouping movement by fundamental types. Diagrams show clearly the exact foot, leg, arm and body positions for the proper execution of many steps and movements. Offers dancers, teachers and ballet lovers information often difficult to locate in other books.
... Read more

Reviews (6)

Beautiful Book
As a student dancer I usually like to brush up on things that I wish I could at school or on the bus. It's a great book emphising on Russian Technique and basic steps. For eight bucks it was one of the most cheapest ballet books I have boughten. It goes straight into the positions of the feet. It tells you of what are the correct ways and what are the incorrect ways. It gives little drawings of a ballet practicing the step. If you can remember those little diagrams of the silloutte of feet for ballroom dancing, most of the diagrams are like that. In the drawings when a leg is suppose to switch or the body, little lines are drawn and it is almost impossible not to understand what the steps are drawn out to be. The only thing I wish was more of introduction to pointe. There are only a chapter dedicated to pointe work, clear and understandable on how to develop strength with echapes and releves. Even in the diagrams they give you Russian and French and Italian for some to show you the possible difference. This is a very detailed book, the only problem you would have if you didn't live in the ballet world at all. If your looking for an introduction I suggest the Royal Academy Ballet Book, but if you know your ballet terminology and learning how this manual will save you steps, get it. It helped me understand really what I was suppose to do. Visually you don't learn everything but it breaks it down perfectly to really know what your doing physically than visually.

Not the best book for reviewing the basics!
I would recomend ballet basics. This is better illistrated!
Ballet teacher in Tx

Excellent for teachers and dancers!
It dose a wonderful job showing how each movement is suppose to be done step by step and showing all the names of each movement. Even if you do not know how to read you can look at the pictures, which show how, do every movement. The one thing I was disappointed the translator did not explain about the expression of each movement such as effacee expression is proud. The expression of each movement is something unique to the Vaganova Syllabus.

recommended for musicans too
It would be extremely difficult to add anything to the comment of Pamela Moberg below, exept that I would also like to recommend this book for musicians who are involved with ballet. As a (former) accompanist, I can tell you that the more you know about ballet the better you will do in classes. The book obviously is a great one or it would not have stood the test of time, but let's face it, I really bought it because it has a sample lesson at the end of the book that has music written out for each exercise! I did not end up using that music, but it really gave me a better understanding of what was going to take place in the class since I had never accompanied before. Musicians, do yourself a favor and buy the book.

For the student and the teacher!
I first received a copy of this book when I was 9 years old...it was recommended by one of my first ballet teachers. I loved looking at the illustrations, and discovering the spelling of terms that I was learning in class. I loved looking at the more advanced steps and their complexity. I still have that copy 20 years later. Now, I use it as a wonderful reference for teaching, and recommend it to my students. A valueable book that every dancer should have! ... Read more

Book Description

Bedlah, Baubles, and Beads is a book about designing and crafting the elaborate bra and belt sets worn by contemporary belly dancers. Also known as "dance oriental" and "raks sharki," belly dancing has numerous sub-styles that are defined not only by their movement vocabulary, but also by their distinctive costuming.

The first part of the book provides a conceptual framework by starting with a history of this costuming style and its origins here in the United States. From there, it concentrates on introducing the reader to design principles, methods, and techniques for developing figure-flattering styles.

The second part presents the materials, tools, and processes for putting together an elaborately decorated bra and belt set. Step-by-step illustrations for applying beads, a fabric shopping guide, and directions for constructing the bra and belt bases are all illustrated with descriptive diagrams to aid the reader.

Finally, the book finishes with a portfolio of styles and ideas for expanding the performance wardrobe. From skirts to accessories, these chapters introduce the essential garments that transform the bra and belt into a complete costume.

Detailed topics include:

* Step-by-step illustrations of beading techniques, including back stitch, couching, tambour beading, scatter beading, and more.
* Directions for making high-quality bedlah, from concept to finished costume.
* Techniques for developing beading patterns using clip art sources and transforming images into dynamic designs.
* Fitting and covering bras and belts.

An extensive bibliography and a list of mail-order resources is included. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Fantastic!
This book is more than just directions for putting together bras and belts! Davina does a wonderful job starting in Chapter 1 as she gives the reader a brief summary of the costumes seen in the US over the past 100 years.

The true jewel in this book is going to be Chapter 3! Davina provides invaluable insight on the principles of design and wonderful examples of how it can translate to the cabaret bra/belt costume. Even if you have no desire to ever pick up needle and thread, you should read this book and make it a practice to sketch costume ideas on your personal croquis, as it will help you discover what looks good on you and what doesn't all without having to spend hours trying on various costumes!

Best of the series so far
Of Dawn and Barry's series of Belly dance costumes books, this one is the best and most comprehensive. A good basic book explaning costume elements, design basics and simple construction techniques. As a very useful chapter on how to emphasise each dance move and enhance a dancer's physique through design details. Line drawings illustrate most the complex ideas although a few sewing stitches could have used pictures, too. An excellent addition to any library for the dancer or costumer alike.

The best!
This book has all the information needed to make or select a spectacular, flattering costume. It is clear, practical and comprehensive.
I especally liked the Design section. Her method to design for individual body types is very objective. For example, she tells you how to both emphasize and de-emphasize wide shoulders. She makes no value judgements here - the dancer decides what effect she wants to make.
Construction details seem very complete. This chapter can help dancers select a well-made costume that will last thru many performances. All the essentials for making a complete ensemble! ... Read more

Amazon.com

With a hey diddle diddle, the creators of Why Cats Paint return with another version of feline (and human) reality. And suffice it to say that in Burton Silver and Heather Busch's hands, Kipling's cat that walked by himself has turned into a deeply codependent dervish. Their first book was a brilliant parody of artspeak--Busch's photos of creative felines matched by Silver's text. Their second, Dancing with Cats--an epic three years in the making!--juxtaposes psychological and spiritual mumbo-jumbo with the language of dance criticism. As Silver explores everything from visualization to mirroring to empathy, Busch is busy with her human-feline pairs. In one sequence, Fred, clad in tabby tights, kitty-cat body paint, and a tanga with a long black tail, leaps about the place with a slightly puzzled pussy: "I share its grace, power, and oneness with the universe. I relate to Fluff and the whole spectrum of feline physicality on a profound level--I even regard birds differently."

On the very next page, chubby Helen, sporting a tie-dyed purple gown and a deeply sworn belief in feng shui, identifies perhaps a bit too deeply with chunky, amber-eyed Boots (who looks suspiciously like "Trans-Expressionist" Bootsie from Why Cats Paint). And then there's Sue and Zoot. In one photo, the recumbent gray and peach cat raises his left paw to the sky as his ecstatic human does the same. Then Sue dons a feathery jerkin "in order to dance out some of her past traumas." It's difficult to say which is funnier, the photos or the text, as Silver catches pseudo-therapy's mixture of self-affirmation and non sequitur: "Dancing with Zoot helps Sue reenact and come to terms with the joy and sorrow of a brief but painful relationship: when she fell in love with her daughter's father while he was photographing bridges in the neighborhood." Though the two-legged models must have been prepared for this inspired silliness, one does wonder what on earth the cats made of their eurythmic adventures. Alas, until interspecies communication reaches a greater height, we can only dance amid our uncertainty! --Kerry Fried ... Read more

Reviews (28)

Buy this book for the pictures!
I have a weakness for cats, I admit that freely, and it leaves me predisposed to a book like "Dancing with Cats," which is crammed with photographs of cats (and their humans) leaping, stretching and "dancing" with abandon.

Is the dancing real? Well, I don't knowm and judging by some of the other reviews, there is room for doubt...but I defy any cat to resist some of the visual stimuli directed towards the cats in this book (a swishing faux-"tail," scarves, etc.).

Some of the new age psycho-babble spouted by the human subjects made my eyes glaze, so I ultimately chose to largely ignore the text and instead focus on the pictures themselves. Since the pictures, and not the text, are what made me buy the book in the first place, this was probably a wise move.

"Dancing with Cats" is a very enjoyable book, full of delightful photos that are sure to appeal to cat lovers everywhere.

Dancing With Cats is hilarious!
Dancing With Cats is hilarious! The claim that the cats were tortured is kind of pushing it, especially considering that of the 4 cats I've had as pets in my life, 3 of them were prone to leaping out of 2nd story windows in hot pursuit of squirrels! I learned when I was still quite young that my cat loved it when I held her in my arms and twirled in circles. It was only a short while before we were actually dancing together-cheek to whisker-just like Fred and Ginger.

I didn't think it could get any better than Why Cats Paint, but when I saw that this book was on its way, I danced for joy!

Thank you Burton Silver and Heather Busch, for the wonderful photographs and the incredibly entertaining text!

Buy this book!!!!
Your sides will hurt from laughter. Make no mistake, this is a brilliant, all-out assualt on the absurdity of new age spiritual mumbojumbo etc-but it is written, rather performed, with such discipline, many are fooled. I was home from school last summer staying with my parents who happen to be fundamentalist christians, and repeatedly I found my "evil new age" cat book out in the trash! Just today, at a book store I found the book in the "animal" section, not the humor. When I brought this up to the manager, she adamently avered that this dancing is for real! Well, after reading some of these posts, maybe it is real in the hearts of dear cat lovers. Well, I'm off to punt kick ol' fluff.

Pretentious
This has to be one of the stupidest books I've ever read. When I first picked it up, I thought it was a cat/humor type book. Wrong. These people actually dance with cats. Talk about nutcases. The pictures of the cats were cute but the people dancing about in weird costumes was a bit out there. I adore cats just as much as the next cat lover but this book is a bit too much. Now, if I could get my cat to dance...

A waste of time, money, and intelligence.
This book is the most pathetic excuse for marketing and is an embarrassment to the cat lover's community. I gave this book to my brother-in-law to use as he is a great cat lover, and this book scarred their relationship to this day; his cat refuses to go near him for fear of him lifting up his hand/leg even a little bit. His cat is now paranoid of any people. The pictures are obviously digitally edited. I have seen better ... than this. Please do not think twice (or once) about buying this book. Please, do it for the cats. ... Read more

Book Description

A comprehensive yet highly readable reference for rookie cheer squad coaches and seasoned veterans alike. Covers virtually every aspect of developing and running a successful cheerleading program, including:Planning the season, tryouts, teamwork and motivation, practice planning, skills and drills, stunting and safety, school spirit, game day considerations, competition, season-ending responsibilities, and off-season training. Also includes chapters on fundraising and working with parents. Contains dozens of straightforward checklists, charts, and photographs to make using the information and implementing the ideas easy—no matter what level of experience the coach is. ... Read more

Book Description

This book chronicles one hundred years of dramatic developments in ballet, modern, and experimental dance for stage and screen in Europe and North America. The volume is magisterial in scope, encompassing the history of theatrical dance from 1900 through 2000. Beginning with turn-of-the-century dancer-choreographers like Loie Fuller, Isadora Duncan, Michel Fokine, and a bit later Vaslav Nijinsky, and proceeding through the profusion of dance styles performed today, the book provides an unparalleled view of dance in performance as it changed and grew in the twentieth century.Nancy Reynolds and Malcolm McCormick set dance in broader cultural and historical contexts, examine specific dance works, and explore the contributions of outstanding choreographers, performers, visual artists, impresarios, composers, critics, and other figures. They discuss the breakaway barefoot dance of the early 1900s and demonstrate its links with later forms and styles. With unusual detail, fascinating illustrations, and wide-ranging insights, this book is an indispensable guide to the transformations in the dance scene of the twentieth century. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Helps to preserve Martha's legacy
What an incredible life she lived! Honored on almost every continent, described by some Japanese artists as having developed a dance technique perfectly suited for the Asian body, received the French Legion of Honor medal, a grove of trees was recently planted in her memory in Israel's national forest, and Martha is the only dancer in US history to receive the highest national honor for civilians - the Medal of Freedom, and compared by many to Picasso. And yet she never let any of the fame and praise distract her from her one true love: dance. Such a varied life and long life (she lived to 96) is hard to describe in the setting of a linear autobiography, which thankfully this is not. This book is not broken into chapters, but simply divided with inventive border use and beautiful pictures. Being mostly a collection of memories, musing, and anecdotes, this book perfectly illustrates what Agnes De Mill wrote in "Martha: The Life and Work of Martha Graham", that Martha wanted to leave behind a legend rather than an accurate biography. But it is an interesting legend that she leaves, and the stories, musings, and anecdotes are beautifully written and often illustrated with accompanying pictures. Martha most likely had no concept of linear, but being an artist she probably lived in a circular world where beginnings were endings and endings were middles. "Life happens in spirals," Martha had said to a dance student in reference to her floor exercise of the same name. And this was years before spiral shape of the DNA structure was discovered.

My favorite story is about the time Martha and her sister Gertie, both of whom were members of the legendary Denishawn dance school and company, were thrown off of a train. Unbeknownst to the train conductor, the Denishawn company was famous for their exotic dances. Still in costume, they had been mistaken for gypsies (this was early in the 20th century). They tried to explain to the conductor that they were dancers, but he did not listen. Before they left the train, Martha writes, "Gertie gave a savory Irish insult, 'I spit on you.'"

This book was a bible of my teen years and even inspired me to attend classes at the Martha Graham school in New York (thanks to the generous scholarship of Diane Gray), as well as considering becoming a Martha Graham dancer. I chose not to become a professional dancer, but this book still retains great memories for me. Martha's memoir initiated many other interests of mine, such as the poetry of Emily Dickinson and the curious subject of intuition - Martha wrote that often her dances came from a type of intuition, or "Blood Memory." And she quoted Emily Dickinson, "Intuition picks up the key that memory dropped."

Important memoir of an important dancer
When asked whether she wanted to be remembered as a dancer or choreographer, Martha replied, "As a dancer, of course!" And so I will refer to this as the memoir of a dancer who, by her own description, did not "choreograph," but simply made up dances. She did not set out to be the great innovator she became, but wanted to express things inexpressible with then-available techniques, so she had to make her own technique. "Choreography," Martha writes in this book, "is a big word that can hide a lot of sins."

What an incredible life she lived! Honored on almost every continent, described by some Japanese artists as having developed a dance technique perfectly suited for the Asian body, received the French Legion of Honor medal, a grove of trees was recently planted in her memory in Israel's national forest, and Martha is the only dancer in US history to receive the highest national honor for civilians - the Medal of Freedom, and compared by many to Picasso. And yet she never let any of the fame and praise distract her from her one true love: dance. Such a varied life and long life (she lived to 96) is hard to describe in the setting of a linear autobiography, which thankfully this is not. This book is not broken into chapters, but simply divided with inventive border use and beautiful pictures. Being mostly a collection of memories, musing, and anecdotes, this book perfectly illustrates what Agnes De Mill wrote in "Martha: The Life and Work of Martha Graham", that Martha wanted to leave behind a legend rather than an accurate biography. But it is an interesting legend that she leaves, and the stories, musings, and anecdotes are beautifully written and often illustrated with accompanying pictures. Martha most likely had no concept of linear, but being an artist she probably lived in a circular world where beginnings were endings and endings were middles. "Life happens in spirals," Martha had said to a dance student in reference to her floor exercise of the same name. And this was years before spiral shape of the DNA structure was discovered.

My favorite story is about the time Martha and her sister Gertie, both of whom were members of the legendary Denishawn dance school and company, were thrown off of a train. Unbeknownst to the train conductor, the Denishawn company was famous for their exotic dances. Still in costume, they had been mistaken for gypsies (this was early in the 20th century). They tried to explain to the conductor that they were dancers, but he did not listen. Before they left the train, Martha writes, "Gertie gave a savory Irish insult, 'I spit on you.'"

One of the interesting things is the revelation that Catholicism had a deep impact on Martha Graham's work. As a young girl, Martha had a Catholic governess who took her to a few masses. Joseph Campbell, author of "The Power of Myth," says that rituals are the enactment of myth, and some of Martha's signature dances are the re-enactment of classical myth, mostly Greek. But I can't help but think the pageantry of Catholic ritual had an impact on Graham's mind. Interestingly, Joseph Campbell was Catholic and his wife Jean was once a Martha Graham dancer.

This book was a bible of my teen years and even inspired me to attend classes at the Martha Graham school in New York (thanks to the generous scholarship of Diane Gray), as well as considering becoming a Martha Graham dancer. I chose not to become a professional dancer, but this book still retains great memories for me. Martha's memoir initiated many other interests of mine, such as the poetry of Emily Dickinson and the curious subject of intuition - Martha wrote that often her dances came from a type of intuition, or "Blood Memory." And she quoted Emily Dickinson, "Intuition picks up the key that memory dropped."

interesting autobio of a true pioneer
This is an interesting book if you are into modern dance. Graham was, of course, one of the great innovators of an entirely new genre of artistic expression, modern dance, and she is very open about her constant struggles and triumphs. She is a true American original.

In this book, you meet St-Denis, Eric Hawkins, and Merce Cunningham, and manz others, all of whom were influences on her and whom she influenced. They are fascinatingly placed in both personal and historical context.

While the content of this book is exceptional and extremely valuable, it is oddly structured, kind of a series of vignettes that are not even broken down into chapters. This was disconcerting to me and it made the thread of her narrative hard to follow at times. It was edited by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, opne of her last books.

I recommend it to those already interested, but not to those who are not deeply hooked on dance. This work is full of love, some pride, and the obscure tragedies of her life.

An Athlete of God
This is my favorite book ever. Martha Graham claims that she is simply a dancer but she is an excellent writer. And, from what I read from Blood Memory a formidable woman. An "artiste" whose thoughts, both deep and candid, are very profound. In all aspects she is truly an "Athlete of God."

a great woman's state of mind
Reading this book, I found myself eagerly copying down quote after quote of Martha Graham's philosophy. Although I'm not a dancer, I thoroughly enjoyed hearing Martha Graham's perspective on modern dance, art, and life in general. Moreover, I have great admiration for a woman who has been said to encourage *vagina* envy. You go, girl! ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

"A practical, down-to-earth guide...Well organized and easy to read and to understand."

CAT FANCY

World-renowed pet behaviorist Warren Eckstein shows you how to walk with your cat, make it come when called, play for hours without ruining your plants and furniture, and more, in this warm, readable guide for feline lovers everywhere. Here are on-the-mark observations, wonderful insights, and step-by-step advice for: Alleviating kitty stress and nervousness; Coping with feline old age; Exercising your beloved mouser, and much more. Plus: diet, grooming, and dentistry tips. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

My favorite cat book!
I recently got my boyfriend a kitten for his birthday. I am not a cat person and know nothing about them, much less raising a kitten. So I bought three books, one of which was this. Of all the books, this one was by far the easiest to read, the most helpful, and the most fun. I have already trained my kitten to come to his name and to sit, thanks to the tips in this book. I can't wait to teach him to walk on a leash! It also helped me to understand that cats need variety and spice in life, much like dogs do. They deserve more than to just nap around the house all day. I highly recommend purchasing this book.

A Whole New Prospective on Cat Ownership!
This book was the quickest read I've had in a long time! Not only was it informative, but it was funny and easy to relate to! I have been around pets my whole life and have worked with them since I have been 11 years old, when I started volunteering at the local humane society. With my experience, and being a former veterinary technician, I thought I understood what cat's need and want, but this book sure put me in my place! I learned everything I always thought I knew about what goes on it those little kitty minds and I gained a new prospective on what they need to live a satisfying life. The most important thing I learned in this book was that cats are so smart that they have CONVINCED the world that they are untrainable so that humans won't make them do anything! It taught me that cats have tricked the world and that they are more intelligent that anyone gives them credit for. Since I finished the book, I can see that my cats are happier and more fulfilled, and I am happier, healthier, and we all sleep soundly at night. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that has a cat, is thinking of adopting a cat, or as a gift to the cat lover in your life.

I have the BEST cats because of this book
I had this book on my bookshelf, but didn't read it until the day I found an abandoned kitten in the bushes in front of the house. She had her first road trip the very next weekend. She loves car rides, wears a harness, walks on a leash, comes when she is called...I cannot say enough about this book. I grew up with cats and have always had my own cats, but until I had this book, I had NO idea what I was missing. We have three more cats, all successfully introduced into the family following this book's guidelines. Now we have rescued a colony of feral kittens and using this advice. I'm sorry anyone ever had a bad experience, but from all the cats I've known, this book is invaluable and should be handed out with every adoption!!!!!

Not Practical
I found the book fairly entertaining to read, and was preparing for adopting a cat myself. However, once reality set in (i.e., I had a cat living in my house with me), I determined that many of the assumptions he makes about cats and their ability to adapt and respond to human behavior are, at best, only applicable to SOME cats, and, at worst, not really true at all. Life with cats can be great, but encouraging people to expect them to behave in a more responsive way (like a dog, I guess) is setting people- like me - up for a big disappointment.

Great book for cat lovers
I had heard Warren Eckstein often on the radio and have seen himon the Today Show so I was anxious to see if this book was as good as his media appearances. It is,and then some.For all of us who share our lives with our feline companions,this book is an entertaining and invaluable tool to help us understand our cats better and make living with them easier and more enjoyable for all parties. Sure, a lot of the advice Warren gives seems to be just common sense but sometimes it takes a very smart man to simplify things so you finally say "aha, that's it!". Some of the "problem" situations discussed in the book may have common sense solutions but when you are the one dealing with the problem, you don't always have the insight to recognize and correct the problem by yourself. That is where an expert like Warren Eckstein comes in. Writing in an engaging, straightforward and witty manner, he gives advice that really does work.I'd recommend this book to all cat lovers. ... Read more

Book Description

Collects the far-reaching and influential work of an eminent dance critic and scholar. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great for Rythm Tapping
I was trained in traditional and flash tap dancing, so I knew very little about rhythm tap. This book goes over the basics of tap and many traditional tap steps. What makes it so great, though, are the in-depth explanations of rhythm, dynamics, syncopation, accents, and new forms of tap, including rhythm tap and orchestrated tap. The explanations are clear and easy and the practice exercises are excellent. This is a must-have book for anyone wishing to expand their tap knowledge and artistry.

Excellent how to book, but it's no dictionary
I'm an advanced tapper who just recently began teaching an intermediate tap class. I decided to find a dictionary of tap in case one of my students asked me about a step I may not know. I ordered this book and realized that it was no dictionary. So if you're looking for a dictionary I suggest looking somewhere else. It is a wonderful how to book though! For instance it talks about syncopating the beat, has pictures of proper placement of your your foot on shuffles, tons of combinations, etc. I suggest this book to tap teachers of all levels and students interested in bettering themselves!

A must-have for tap teachers and students
This book has been a wealth of ideas and information. I use many of the drills and combinations in my classes. They are clearly notated and easy to understand (which is unusual for a "book" on tap dance). I would recommend this book for anyone at an intermediate level or higher. Well worth the money! ... Read more