Chronicles the development of Western ballet focusing on the social and cultural forces which influenced the dancer's art.
A grand book - readable as any authoritative history of the subject could be, and indispensable to anyone interested in the dance.... A comprehensive history of the dance, ballet and pantomime, and a discussion of the teachers and dancers identified with its history. Goes back to the 6th century, and comes down to date. Valuable source book for those needing material on classic interpretations. The most interesting section is that dealing with the French ballet and with the Russians, closely interwoven through Didelot, French ballet master who was brought to Russia by the mad Paul. The history leads from Russia to America, and the author is the man who, with Balanchine and Vladimir Dimitriew, helped introduce the pure technical principles of the ballet into the American form. (Kirkus Reviews)
