A Stictly Girls Christmas Wish, 21 Oct 2008
Bright, Glossy with gossipy text and great photography. Flavia demonstrates many of the dances so you can have a go yourself. There is a quiz and judging page for you to mark. This is the perfect Christmas gift for my 9 year old grandaughter....... and I can see the whole family pressed into taking part on Christmas day!

A Stictly Girls Christmas Wish, 21 Oct 2008
Bright, Glossy with gossipy text and great photography. Flavia demonstrates many of the dances so you can have a go yourself. There is a quiz and judging page for you to mark. This is the perfect Christmas gift for my 9 year old grandaughter....... and I can see the whole family pressed into taking part on Christmas day!

A Waltz Through Life, 15 Sep 2008
This book Waltz's you through Len Goodman's life and you get to know the man behind the judge. Even if you are not a fan of Strictly Come Dancing you will still like the book because it also gives the reader an insight into growing up in the East End and Len Goodman comes across as a very witty likeable and affable gentleman. I found myself laughing out loud on many occasion much to the amusement of my fellow train passengers! I don't know if I will ever be able to eat beetroot again....you will have to read the book to find out why!!

A Stictly Girls Christmas Wish, 21 Oct 2008
Bright, Glossy with gossipy text and great photography. Flavia demonstrates many of the dances so you can have a go yourself. There is a quiz and judging page for you to mark. This is the perfect Christmas gift for my 9 year old grandaughter....... and I can see the whole family pressed into taking part on Christmas day!

A Waltz Through Life, 15 Sep 2008
This book Waltz's you through Len Goodman's life and you get to know the man behind the judge. Even if you are not a fan of Strictly Come Dancing you will still like the book because it also gives the reader an insight into growing up in the East End and Len Goodman comes across as a very witty likeable and affable gentleman. I found myself laughing out loud on many occasion much to the amusement of my fellow train passengers! I don't know if I will ever be able to eat beetroot again....you will have to read the book to find out why!!


Buy for the DVD, not the Book, 07 Sep 2008
The DVD is a joy. Really first rate instruction. Lovely music. Easy to follow.

The book is much less useful. He simplifies too much, not by being simple, but just by missing out too much information. The step-by-step instructions say nothing about direction (turn)or timing, and this is just cutting too many corners. The best parts of the book are those that give general information about the history and development of each dance, and the pictures are useful to ilustrate particular positions (but the text doesn't really to tell you how to get there).

I'm a great fan of Anton, and both his partners (Erin Boag and Flavia Cacace) are well worth watching, particularly Flavia. She has Latin motion to die for, and any beginner who REALLY watches how she shapes her moves and uses her feet will not go far wrong in acquiring a good style of their own.

Very highly recommended, particularly at the well-discounted price, but by no means without major faults as a piece of writing.

Brilliant for beginners (and anyone who likes dancing), 27 Nov 2007
As a couple starting to learn Ballroom and Latin (2 lessons so far) this book and DVD combo is very easy to follow. The book covers 10 dances step by step (literally - with a photo of each step and description).
Every dance starts with the basic steps and then builds from there to show and explain the extra moves.
The DVD has Anton taking you through the Waltz, Quickstep, Cha Cha Cha and the Jive (partnering Erin for the ballroom dances and Flavia for the Latin).
The instruction is clear, step-by-step, laced with humour and very easy to follow even for a "two-left feet" beginner like me! We managed to learn and make a decent go of the basic Jive just from following and practicing the DVD tuition for an hour.
Anton comes across very well with clear explanations, humour, useful extra tips and a complete lack of superiority or smugness.
My in-laws (who have been dancing for a very long time) were so impressed they want a copy for Christmas.

Excellent value and highly recommended.

TOP OF THE CLASS!!, 20 Nov 2007
At last, a dance manual that trips the light fantastic between all those overly simplistic beginners' dance books out there and the heavy-duty technical tomes (such as Alex Moore's 'Ballroom Dancing')! Anton's book is truly for the dance aficionado in that it combines interesting background information about each dance covered (foxtrot, rumba, waltz, cha cha cha, tango, paso doble, quickstep, samba, Viennese waltz, jive), together with detailed tuition through each dance step. Each step is illustrated by a photo of the correct position, with close-ups on the footwork. Anton's dance partner for the ballroom dances is his actual dance partner Erin Boag, and for the latin dances he has paired up with Flavia Cacace (who normally dances with Vincent Simone). This is echoed on the 45-minute DVD, which coaches you through the waltz, the quickstep, the cha cha cha and the jive (some of the hardest dances to master!). I found the DVD a refreshing change from a lot of other cringe-making dance DVDs on the market (notably the ones by Brendan Cole & Natasha Kaplinsky and Len Goodman's - sorry Len, you are lovely, but not everyone can dance to Cockney rhyming slang!). Anton's tuition is very natural, and even though he can't resist the odd cheesy remark about his gorgeous dance partners, you really feel as though he is giving you a live class in each dance. I loved the music selection on the DVD too, especially the Dean Martin classic 'Sway' for the cha cha cha and 'My Baby Just Cares for Me' for the jive. The archive photography and illustrations that feature in the book all combine to make this a really classy package. Amazon's £9.99 pricing is brilliant, as this book is worth every penny of its £19.99 RRP. Whether you're a die-hard Anton du Beke fan or simply a lover of ballroom and latin, this is a must-have purchase!!

A Stictly Girls Christmas Wish, 21 Oct 2008
Bright, Glossy with gossipy text and great photography. Flavia demonstrates many of the dances so you can have a go yourself. There is a quiz and judging page for you to mark. This is the perfect Christmas gift for my 9 year old grandaughter....... and I can see the whole family pressed into taking part on Christmas day!

A Waltz Through Life, 15 Sep 2008
This book Waltz's you through Len Goodman's life and you get to know the man behind the judge. Even if you are not a fan of Strictly Come Dancing you will still like the book because it also gives the reader an insight into growing up in the East End and Len Goodman comes across as a very witty likeable and affable gentleman. I found myself laughing out loud on many occasion much to the amusement of my fellow train passengers! I don't know if I will ever be able to eat beetroot again....you will have to read the book to find out why!!


Buy for the DVD, not the Book, 07 Sep 2008
The DVD is a joy. Really first rate instruction. Lovely music. Easy to follow.

The book is much less useful. He simplifies too much, not by being simple, but just by missing out too much information. The step-by-step instructions say nothing about direction (turn)or timing, and this is just cutting too many corners. The best parts of the book are those that give general information about the history and development of each dance, and the pictures are useful to ilustrate particular positions (but the text doesn't really to tell you how to get there).

I'm a great fan of Anton, and both his partners (Erin Boag and Flavia Cacace) are well worth watching, particularly Flavia. She has Latin motion to die for, and any beginner who REALLY watches how she shapes her moves and uses her feet will not go far wrong in acquiring a good style of their own.

Very highly recommended, particularly at the well-discounted price, but by no means without major faults as a piece of writing.

Brilliant for beginners (and anyone who likes dancing), 27 Nov 2007
As a couple starting to learn Ballroom and Latin (2 lessons so far) this book and DVD combo is very easy to follow. The book covers 10 dances step by step (literally - with a photo of each step and description).
Every dance starts with the basic steps and then builds from there to show and explain the extra moves.
The DVD has Anton taking you through the Waltz, Quickstep, Cha Cha Cha and the Jive (partnering Erin for the ballroom dances and Flavia for the Latin).
The instruction is clear, step-by-step, laced with humour and very easy to follow even for a "two-left feet" beginner like me! We managed to learn and make a decent go of the basic Jive just from following and practicing the DVD tuition for an hour.
Anton comes across very well with clear explanations, humour, useful extra tips and a complete lack of superiority or smugness.
My in-laws (who have been dancing for a very long time) were so impressed they want a copy for Christmas.

Excellent value and highly recommended.

TOP OF THE CLASS!!, 20 Nov 2007
At last, a dance manual that trips the light fantastic between all those overly simplistic beginners' dance books out there and the heavy-duty technical tomes (such as Alex Moore's 'Ballroom Dancing')! Anton's book is truly for the dance aficionado in that it combines interesting background information about each dance covered (foxtrot, rumba, waltz, cha cha cha, tango, paso doble, quickstep, samba, Viennese waltz, jive), together with detailed tuition through each dance step. Each step is illustrated by a photo of the correct position, with close-ups on the footwork. Anton's dance partner for the ballroom dances is his actual dance partner Erin Boag, and for the latin dances he has paired up with Flavia Cacace (who normally dances with Vincent Simone). This is echoed on the 45-minute DVD, which coaches you through the waltz, the quickstep, the cha cha cha and the jive (some of the hardest dances to master!). I found the DVD a refreshing change from a lot of other cringe-making dance DVDs on the market (notably the ones by Brendan Cole & Natasha Kaplinsky and Len Goodman's - sorry Len, you are lovely, but not everyone can dance to Cockney rhyming slang!). Anton's tuition is very natural, and even though he can't resist the odd cheesy remark about his gorgeous dance partners, you really feel as though he is giving you a live class in each dance. I loved the music selection on the DVD too, especially the Dean Martin classic 'Sway' for the cha cha cha and 'My Baby Just Cares for Me' for the jive. The archive photography and illustrations that feature in the book all combine to make this a really classy package. Amazon's £9.99 pricing is brilliant, as this book is worth every penny of its £19.99 RRP. Whether you're a die-hard Anton du Beke fan or simply a lover of ballroom and latin, this is a must-have purchase!!

Superb, 01 Jul 2008
This book is great it shows pictures and gives information about the judges, celebritys and professionals from 2007.

An absolute must for Strictly fans, 10 Nov 2007
I'm mad about Strictly Come Dancing and I love this book. I've got last year's 'Official Guide', and was worried that there might be some overlap - but there isn't! It's all completely new. It has interviews with all the judges, the show's stylist, the hair and make-up person, all the previous winners and all this year's celebs. Plus, there's a complete guide to all the past series, with photos of highlights, lowlights, tears, tantrums and triumphs. Also, Erin Boag and Karen Hardy put you through their own keep fit routine based on the dances. It's really easy to follow, and fun to do. I'm hoping I'll look like them if I do it often enough!
There's masses more and it's packed with photos. You get a fascinating glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes, but also blown away by the glamour and glitz of the show itself. Highly recommended!

Why the change?, 08 Nov 2007
Much prefer the previous books,very disappointed that there are no biography pages of the professionals this year or pictures,they do such a fantastic job. Also the ballroom and latin content has disappeared and been replaced by fitness which is not really Strictly Come Dancing!! Please keep the original format its much better.

A Stictly Girls Christmas Wish, 21 Oct 2008
Bright, Glossy with gossipy text and great photography. Flavia demonstrates many of the dances so you can have a go yourself. There is a quiz and judging page for you to mark. This is the perfect Christmas gift for my 9 year old grandaughter....... and I can see the whole family pressed into taking part on Christmas day!

A Waltz Through Life, 15 Sep 2008
This book Waltz's you through Len Goodman's life and you get to know the man behind the judge. Even if you are not a fan of Strictly Come Dancing you will still like the book because it also gives the reader an insight into growing up in the East End and Len Goodman comes across as a very witty likeable and affable gentleman. I found myself laughing out loud on many occasion much to the amusement of my fellow train passengers! I don't know if I will ever be able to eat beetroot again....you will have to read the book to find out why!!


Buy for the DVD, not the Book, 07 Sep 2008
The DVD is a joy. Really first rate instruction. Lovely music. Easy to follow.

The book is much less useful. He simplifies too much, not by being simple, but just by missing out too much information. The step-by-step instructions say nothing about direction (turn)or timing, and this is just cutting too many corners. The best parts of the book are those that give general information about the history and development of each dance, and the pictures are useful to ilustrate particular positions (but the text doesn't really to tell you how to get there).

I'm a great fan of Anton, and both his partners (Erin Boag and Flavia Cacace) are well worth watching, particularly Flavia. She has Latin motion to die for, and any beginner who REALLY watches how she shapes her moves and uses her feet will not go far wrong in acquiring a good style of their own.

Very highly recommended, particularly at the well-discounted price, but by no means without major faults as a piece of writing.

Brilliant for beginners (and anyone who likes dancing), 27 Nov 2007
As a couple starting to learn Ballroom and Latin (2 lessons so far) this book and DVD combo is very easy to follow. The book covers 10 dances step by step (literally - with a photo of each step and description).
Every dance starts with the basic steps and then builds from there to show and explain the extra moves.
The DVD has Anton taking you through the Waltz, Quickstep, Cha Cha Cha and the Jive (partnering Erin for the ballroom dances and Flavia for the Latin).
The instruction is clear, step-by-step, laced with humour and very easy to follow even for a "two-left feet" beginner like me! We managed to learn and make a decent go of the basic Jive just from following and practicing the DVD tuition for an hour.
Anton comes across very well with clear explanations, humour, useful extra tips and a complete lack of superiority or smugness.
My in-laws (who have been dancing for a very long time) were so impressed they want a copy for Christmas.

Excellent value and highly recommended.

TOP OF THE CLASS!!, 20 Nov 2007
At last, a dance manual that trips the light fantastic between all those overly simplistic beginners' dance books out there and the heavy-duty technical tomes (such as Alex Moore's 'Ballroom Dancing')! Anton's book is truly for the dance aficionado in that it combines interesting background information about each dance covered (foxtrot, rumba, waltz, cha cha cha, tango, paso doble, quickstep, samba, Viennese waltz, jive), together with detailed tuition through each dance step. Each step is illustrated by a photo of the correct position, with close-ups on the footwork. Anton's dance partner for the ballroom dances is his actual dance partner Erin Boag, and for the latin dances he has paired up with Flavia Cacace (who normally dances with Vincent Simone). This is echoed on the 45-minute DVD, which coaches you through the waltz, the quickstep, the cha cha cha and the jive (some of the hardest dances to master!). I found the DVD a refreshing change from a lot of other cringe-making dance DVDs on the market (notably the ones by Brendan Cole & Natasha Kaplinsky and Len Goodman's - sorry Len, you are lovely, but not everyone can dance to Cockney rhyming slang!). Anton's tuition is very natural, and even though he can't resist the odd cheesy remark about his gorgeous dance partners, you really feel as though he is giving you a live class in each dance. I loved the music selection on the DVD too, especially the Dean Martin classic 'Sway' for the cha cha cha and 'My Baby Just Cares for Me' for the jive. The archive photography and illustrations that feature in the book all combine to make this a really classy package. Amazon's £9.99 pricing is brilliant, as this book is worth every penny of its £19.99 RRP. Whether you're a die-hard Anton du Beke fan or simply a lover of ballroom and latin, this is a must-have purchase!!

Superb, 01 Jul 2008
This book is great it shows pictures and gives information about the judges, celebritys and professionals from 2007.

An absolute must for Strictly fans, 10 Nov 2007
I'm mad about Strictly Come Dancing and I love this book. I've got last year's 'Official Guide', and was worried that there might be some overlap - but there isn't! It's all completely new. It has interviews with all the judges, the show's stylist, the hair and make-up person, all the previous winners and all this year's celebs. Plus, there's a complete guide to all the past series, with photos of highlights, lowlights, tears, tantrums and triumphs. Also, Erin Boag and Karen Hardy put you through their own keep fit routine based on the dances. It's really easy to follow, and fun to do. I'm hoping I'll look like them if I do it often enough!
There's masses more and it's packed with photos. You get a fascinating glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes, but also blown away by the glamour and glitz of the show itself. Highly recommended!

Why the change?, 08 Nov 2007
Much prefer the previous books,very disappointed that there are no biography pages of the professionals this year or pictures,they do such a fantastic job. Also the ballroom and latin content has disappeared and been replaced by fitness which is not really Strictly Come Dancing!! Please keep the original format its much better.

I bought this for myself before i started classes., 24 Apr 2008
I found this book immensly helpful and very clear to follow. It goes through important exercises and dance moves from pre-primary grade to grade 5, so gives you alot of help when practicing no-matter what standard you are! i reccommend this book to anyone interested in improving their technique, or wanting to start ballet lessons. I hope you enjoy it too.

fantastic, 03 Jun 2005
This book is a wonderful godsend. It is writen in a way that everybody can understand including the children learning. It goes through grades in detail with full explinations and drawing, broken down in stages which I felt were easy to follow. It was great to be able to put pictures to words I had heard and more detailed explinations than sometimes you get during a class. There are lots of helpful tips and reminders and a good glossary of terms it even shows you where to sew on elastics correctly on your shoes!!! I highly recomend this book to anyone of any age interested in ballet. The only downside is I wished it was longer! and covered every single exercise possible it was that good a book.

Very, very realistic, 22 Jan 2000
This book is real good, as it is based on RAD Ballet Training for pre primary -> grade 5. It was written in a way that can be understood really well. The best parts are the drawings. Very accurate and realistic. This book contains ballet vocabulary,ballet training (character too), little pargraphs written by dancers, and a few more things. It wa so useful that my teacher asked if she could borrow it!

A Stictly Girls Christmas Wish, 21 Oct 2008
Bright, Glossy with gossipy text and great photography. Flavia demonstrates many of the dances so you can have a go yourself. There is a quiz and judging page for you to mark. This is the perfect Christmas gift for my 9 year old grandaughter....... and I can see the whole family pressed into taking part on Christmas day!

A Waltz Through Life, 15 Sep 2008
This book Waltz's you through Len Goodman's life and you get to know the man behind the judge. Even if you are not a fan of Strictly Come Dancing you will still like the book because it also gives the reader an insight into growing up in the East End and Len Goodman comes across as a very witty likeable and affable gentleman. I found myself laughing out loud on many occasion much to the amusement of my fellow train passengers! I don't know if I will ever be able to eat beetroot again....you will have to read the book to find out why!!


Buy for the DVD, not the Book, 07 Sep 2008
The DVD is a joy. Really first rate instruction. Lovely music. Easy to follow.

The book is much less useful. He simplifies too much, not by being simple, but just by missing out too much information. The step-by-step instructions say nothing about direction (turn)or timing, and this is just cutting too many corners. The best parts of the book are those that give general information about the history and development of each dance, and the pictures are useful to ilustrate particular positions (but the text doesn't really to tell you how to get there).

I'm a great fan of Anton, and both his partners (Erin Boag and Flavia Cacace) are well worth watching, particularly Flavia. She has Latin motion to die for, and any beginner who REALLY watches how she shapes her moves and uses her feet will not go far wrong in acquiring a good style of their own.

Very highly recommended, particularly at the well-discounted price, but by no means without major faults as a piece of writing.

Brilliant for beginners (and anyone who likes dancing), 27 Nov 2007
As a couple starting to learn Ballroom and Latin (2 lessons so far) this book and DVD combo is very easy to follow. The book covers 10 dances step by step (literally - with a photo of each step and description).
Every dance starts with the basic steps and then builds from there to show and explain the extra moves.
The DVD has Anton taking you through the Waltz, Quickstep, Cha Cha Cha and the Jive (partnering Erin for the ballroom dances and Flavia for the Latin).
The instruction is clear, step-by-step, laced with humour and very easy to follow even for a "two-left feet" beginner like me! We managed to learn and make a decent go of the basic Jive just from following and practicing the DVD tuition for an hour.
Anton comes across very well with clear explanations, humour, useful extra tips and a complete lack of superiority or smugness.
My in-laws (who have been dancing for a very long time) were so impressed they want a copy for Christmas.

Excellent value and highly recommended.

TOP OF THE CLASS!!, 20 Nov 2007
At last, a dance manual that trips the light fantastic between all those overly simplistic beginners' dance books out there and the heavy-duty technical tomes (such as Alex Moore's 'Ballroom Dancing')! Anton's book is truly for the dance aficionado in that it combines interesting background information about each dance covered (foxtrot, rumba, waltz, cha cha cha, tango, paso doble, quickstep, samba, Viennese waltz, jive), together with detailed tuition through each dance step. Each step is illustrated by a photo of the correct position, with close-ups on the footwork. Anton's dance partner for the ballroom dances is his actual dance partner Erin Boag, and for the latin dances he has paired up with Flavia Cacace (who normally dances with Vincent Simone). This is echoed on the 45-minute DVD, which coaches you through the waltz, the quickstep, the cha cha cha and the jive (some of the hardest dances to master!). I found the DVD a refreshing change from a lot of other cringe-making dance DVDs on the market (notably the ones by Brendan Cole & Natasha Kaplinsky and Len Goodman's - sorry Len, you are lovely, but not everyone can dance to Cockney rhyming slang!). Anton's tuition is very natural, and even though he can't resist the odd cheesy remark about his gorgeous dance partners, you really feel as though he is giving you a live class in each dance. I loved the music selection on the DVD too, especially the Dean Martin classic 'Sway' for the cha cha cha and 'My Baby Just Cares for Me' for the jive. The archive photography and illustrations that feature in the book all combine to make this a really classy package. Amazon's £9.99 pricing is brilliant, as this book is worth every penny of its £19.99 RRP. Whether you're a die-hard Anton du Beke fan or simply a lover of ballroom and latin, this is a must-have purchase!!

Superb, 01 Jul 2008
This book is great it shows pictures and gives information about the judges, celebritys and professionals from 2007.

An absolute must for Strictly fans, 10 Nov 2007
I'm mad about Strictly Come Dancing and I love this book. I've got last year's 'Official Guide', and was worried that there might be some overlap - but there isn't! It's all completely new. It has interviews with all the judges, the show's stylist, the hair and make-up person, all the previous winners and all this year's celebs. Plus, there's a complete guide to all the past series, with photos of highlights, lowlights, tears, tantrums and triumphs. Also, Erin Boag and Karen Hardy put you through their own keep fit routine based on the dances. It's really easy to follow, and fun to do. I'm hoping I'll look like them if I do it often enough!
There's masses more and it's packed with photos. You get a fascinating glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes, but also blown away by the glamour and glitz of the show itself. Highly recommended!

Why the change?, 08 Nov 2007
Much prefer the previous books,very disappointed that there are no biography pages of the professionals this year or pictures,they do such a fantastic job. Also the ballroom and latin content has disappeared and been replaced by fitness which is not really Strictly Come Dancing!! Please keep the original format its much better.

I bought this for myself before i started classes., 24 Apr 2008
I found this book immensly helpful and very clear to follow. It goes through important exercises and dance moves from pre-primary grade to grade 5, so gives you alot of help when practicing no-matter what standard you are! i reccommend this book to anyone interested in improving their technique, or wanting to start ballet lessons. I hope you enjoy it too.

fantastic, 03 Jun 2005
This book is a wonderful godsend. It is writen in a way that everybody can understand including the children learning. It goes through grades in detail with full explinations and drawing, broken down in stages which I felt were easy to follow. It was great to be able to put pictures to words I had heard and more detailed explinations than sometimes you get during a class. There are lots of helpful tips and reminders and a good glossary of terms it even shows you where to sew on elastics correctly on your shoes!!! I highly recomend this book to anyone of any age interested in ballet. The only downside is I wished it was longer! and covered every single exercise possible it was that good a book.

Very, very realistic, 22 Jan 2000
This book is real good, as it is based on RAD Ballet Training for pre primary -> grade 5. It was written in a way that can be understood really well. The best parts are the drawings. Very accurate and realistic. This book contains ballet vocabulary,ballet training (character too), little pargraphs written by dancers, and a few more things. It wa so useful that my teacher asked if she could borrow it!

A most vital and valuable insight, 22 Jan 2008
This book is required reading for anybody who is interested in Tango. The more I re-read it, the more I like it. It takes us back to the roots and very reason for Tango's existence and survival into our own era. Christine Denniston's unique experiences offer us the missing link between the Golden Age of Tango popularity and today. Her encounters with older dancers in Buenos Aires at an exciting time when Tango was being reborn after many years of neglect are interesting in their own right but also explain so much about the dance as a vital part of Argentine culture.
In another sense, this book squares the circle. Those who currently learn Tango often find themselves taught a shallow pastiche of the dance and, particularly after one or two unpleasant experiences at Milongas, may come to wonder why they should bother. They may even have come to believe that Tango is no different from any other couple dance. Christine explains why the real thing is so much more rewarding when taken to heart as a vehicle for couple intimacy raher than aerobics or attention-seeking display.
This is a book for reading over and over again. Yes, the publisher has economised on paper. It really doesn't matter. A copy should be handed out by every Tango teacher to every newcomer to Tango

properly researched and authentic, 22 Oct 2007
Christine is very well respected amongst the Tango community. She made the effort to live amongst, dance with and learn from surviving milongueros from the Golden Age. Through her research she brings a more credible history of Tango, avoiding the usual cliched caricatures. Her book covers the social history, the evolution of the music and the dance itself.

Her discussion of the dance is particularly interesting. Tango is much more nuanced and subtle than the strutting acrobatics often associated with the term "tango". It is a language for communicating with your partner, it has a grammar, a vocabulary and is incredibly expressive. Christine goes into some detail about the social dance as it was danced, and in particular the rationale behind its technique. Argentine tango is about "two hearts" moving as one, in a pleasant and comfortable way ... and not about strenuous kicks and flicks, and Christine gets this. Many books and even teachers do not get this.

This is a small easy to read book, but its full of valuable content. I have many books on Tango and this one is my favourite.

The only things that stops this being a 5-star is the book is printed on horrible cheap paper and the photos and illustrations are not very good. If she does a second edition I hope they sort this out!

Excellent news for all dance lovers, 08 Oct 2007
This book is a gift to all dancers, it offers detailed information about tango, its history and technique. The book also covers philosophical aspects of couples dancing as well as giving subtle hints about loving, caring and being in trance with each other whilst dancing. This book is a gift.

The Essence of Tango!, 04 Oct 2007
Learning to dance the Tango can be a confusing and sometimes frustrating experience. For those of us not brought up in the Tango culture of Buenos Aires, our first impressions are often of roses between teeth, and slick, stylish Tango shows. When you first see the social dance, you are presented with yet another variation. Different teachers provide their own take on the dance and may often appear to contradict each other. Even a visit to Buenos Aires - the source and spiritual home of the Tango - may add to the confusion. The Tango developed across a large city over a period of more than a century, as a result of which different styles have developed.

In this book, Christine Denniston has identified the essence of the dance. From her first visit to Buenos Aires in the early 1990s, she sought out dancers who had first started to learn in Tango's Golden Age - the period from the mid 1930s to the mid 50s when the three elements of Tango - the music, song and dance - were at their height. Her time spent dancing with and talking with these older, experienced dancers allowed her to discover the essence that was common to all, regardless of their neighbourhood of origin or style of dance.

This is the book that the Golden Age dancers themselves never wrote! Even if you don't dance Tango, but have an interest in dance and love watching the dance shows on TV, this book will give you a valuable insight into one of the world's most fascinating and exciting dances. If you are already a Tango dancer, whatever your style, this book provides a link to those dancers who came before, and perhaps answers some questions you may still have. If you are already addicted, this book will help you to understand why!

A Stictly Girls Christmas Wish, 21 Oct 2008
Bright, Glossy with gossipy text and great photography. Flavia demonstrates many of the dances so you can have a go yourself. There is a quiz and judging page for you to mark. This is the perfect Christmas gift for my 9 year old grandaughter....... and I can see the whole family pressed into taking part on Christmas day!

A Waltz Through Life, 15 Sep 2008
This book Waltz's you through Len Goodman's life and you get to know the man behind the judge. Even if you are not a fan of Strictly Come Dancing you will still like the book because it also gives the reader an insight into growing up in the East End and Len Goodman comes across as a very witty likeable and affable gentleman. I found myself laughing out loud on many occasion much to the amusement of my fellow train passengers! I don't know if I will ever be able to eat beetroot again....you will have to read the book to find out why!!


Buy for the DVD, not the Book, 07 Sep 2008
The DVD is a joy. Really first rate instruction. Lovely music. Easy to follow.

The book is much less useful. He simplifies too much, not by being simple, but just by missing out too much information. The step-by-step instructions say nothing about direction (turn)or timing, and this is just cutting too many corners. The best parts of the book are those that give general information about the history and development of each dance, and the pictures are useful to ilustrate particular positions (but the text doesn't really to tell you how to get there).

I'm a great fan of Anton, and both his partners (Erin Boag and Flavia Cacace) are well worth watching, particularly Flavia. She has Latin motion to die for, and any beginner who REALLY watches how she shapes her moves and uses her feet will not go far wrong in acquiring a good style of their own.

Very highly recommended, particularly at the well-discounted price, but by no means without major faults as a piece of writing.

Brilliant for beginners (and anyone who likes dancing), 27 Nov 2007
As a couple starting to learn Ballroom and Latin (2 lessons so far) this book and DVD combo is very easy to follow. The book covers 10 dances step by step (literally - with a photo of each step and description).
Every dance starts with the basic steps and then builds from there to show and explain the extra moves.
The DVD has Anton taking you through the Waltz, Quickstep, Cha Cha Cha and the Jive (partnering Erin for the ballroom dances and Flavia for the Latin).
The instruction is clear, step-by-step, laced with humour and very easy to follow even for a "two-left feet" beginner like me! We managed to learn and make a decent go of the basic Jive just from following and practicing the DVD tuition for an hour.
Anton comes across very well with clear explanations, humour, useful extra tips and a complete lack of superiority or smugness.
My in-laws (who have been dancing for a very long time) were so impressed they want a copy for Christmas.

Excellent value and highly recommended.

TOP OF THE CLASS!!, 20 Nov 2007
At last, a dance manual that trips the light fantastic between all those overly simplistic beginners' dance books out there and the heavy-duty technical tomes (such as Alex Moore's 'Ballroom Dancing')! Anton's book is truly for the dance aficionado in that it combines interesting background information about each dance covered (foxtrot, rumba, waltz, cha cha cha, tango, paso doble, quickstep, samba, Viennese waltz, jive), together with detailed tuition through each dance step. Each step is illustrated by a photo of the correct position, with close-ups on the footwork. Anton's dance partner for the ballroom dances is his actual dance partner Erin Boag, and for the latin dances he has paired up with Flavia Cacace (who normally dances with Vincent Simone). This is echoed on the 45-minute DVD, which coaches you through the waltz, the quickstep, the cha cha cha and the jive (some of the hardest dances to master!). I found the DVD a refreshing change from a lot of other cringe-making dance DVDs on the market (notably the ones by Brendan Cole & Natasha Kaplinsky and Len Goodman's - sorry Len, you are lovely, but not everyone can dance to Cockney rhyming slang!). Anton's tuition is very natural, and even though he can't resist the odd cheesy remark about his gorgeous dance partners, you really feel as though he is giving you a live class in each dance. I loved the music selection on the DVD too, especially the Dean Martin classic 'Sway' for the cha cha cha and 'My Baby Just Cares for Me' for the jive. The archive photography and illustrations that feature in the book all combine to make this a really classy package. Amazon's £9.99 pricing is brilliant, as this book is worth every penny of its £19.99 RRP. Whether you're a die-hard Anton du Beke fan or simply a lover of ballroom and latin, this is a must-have purchase!!

Superb, 01 Jul 2008
This book is great it shows pictures and gives information about the judges, celebritys and professionals from 2007.

An absolute must for Strictly fans, 10 Nov 2007
I'm mad about Strictly Come Dancing and I love this book. I've got last year's 'Official Guide', and was worried that there might be some overlap - but there isn't! It's all completely new. It has interviews with all the judges, the show's stylist, the hair and make-up person, all the previous winners and all this year's celebs. Plus, there's a complete guide to all the past series, with photos of highlights, lowlights, tears, tantrums and triumphs. Also, Erin Boag and Karen Hardy put you through their own keep fit routine based on the dances. It's really easy to follow, and fun to do. I'm hoping I'll look like them if I do it often enough!
There's masses more and it's packed with photos. You get a fascinating glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes, but also blown away by the glamour and glitz of the show itself. Highly recommended!

Why the change?, 08 Nov 2007
Much prefer the previous books,very disappointed that there are no biography pages of the professionals this year or pictures,they do such a fantastic job. Also the ballroom and latin content has disappeared and been replaced by fitness which is not really Strictly Come Dancing!! Please keep the original format its much better.

I bought this for myself before i started classes., 24 Apr 2008
I found this book immensly helpful and very clear to follow. It goes through important exercises and dance moves from pre-primary grade to grade 5, so gives you alot of help when practicing no-matter what standard you are! i reccommend this book to anyone interested in improving their technique, or wanting to start ballet lessons. I hope you enjoy it too.

fantastic, 03 Jun 2005
This book is a wonderful godsend. It is writen in a way that everybody can understand including the children learning. It goes through grades in detail with full explinations and drawing, broken down in stages which I felt were easy to follow. It was great to be able to put pictures to words I had heard and more detailed explinations than sometimes you get during a class. There are lots of helpful tips and reminders and a good glossary of terms it even shows you where to sew on elastics correctly on your shoes!!! I highly recomend this book to anyone of any age interested in ballet. The only downside is I wished it was longer! and covered every single exercise possible it was that good a book.

Very, very realistic, 22 Jan 2000
This book is real good, as it is based on RAD Ballet Training for pre primary -> grade 5. It was written in a way that can be understood really well. The best parts are the drawings. Very accurate and realistic. This book contains ballet vocabulary,ballet training (character too), little pargraphs written by dancers, and a few more things. It wa so useful that my teacher asked if she could borrow it!

A most vital and valuable insight, 22 Jan 2008
This book is required reading for anybody who is interested in Tango. The more I re-read it, the more I like it. It takes us back to the roots and very reason for Tango's existence and survival into our own era. Christine Denniston's unique experiences offer us the missing link between the Golden Age of Tango popularity and today. Her encounters with older dancers in Buenos Aires at an exciting time when Tango was being reborn after many years of neglect are interesting in their own right but also explain so much about the dance as a vital part of Argentine culture.
In another sense, this book squares the circle. Those who currently learn Tango often find themselves taught a shallow pastiche of the dance and, particularly after one or two unpleasant experiences at Milongas, may come to wonder why they should bother. They may even have come to believe that Tango is no different from any other couple dance. Christine explains why the real thing is so much more rewarding when taken to heart as a vehicle for couple intimacy raher than aerobics or attention-seeking display.
This is a book for reading over and over again. Yes, the publisher has economised on paper. It really doesn't matter. A copy should be handed out by every Tango teacher to every newcomer to Tango

properly researched and authentic, 22 Oct 2007
Christine is very well respected amongst the Tango community. She made the effort to live amongst, dance with and learn from surviving milongueros from the Golden Age. Through her research she brings a more credible history of Tango, avoiding the usual cliched caricatures. Her book covers the social history, the evolution of the music and the dance itself.

Her discussion of the dance is particularly interesting. Tango is much more nuanced and subtle than the strutting acrobatics often associated with the term "tango". It is a language for communicating with your partner, it has a grammar, a vocabulary and is incredibly expressive. Christine goes into some detail about the social dance as it was danced, and in particular the rationale behind its technique. Argentine tango is about "two hearts" moving as one, in a pleasant and comfortable way ... and not about strenuous kicks and flicks, and Christine gets this. Many books and even teachers do not get this.

This is a small easy to read book, but its full of valuable content. I have many books on Tango and this one is my favourite.

The only things that stops this being a 5-star is the book is printed on horrible cheap paper and the photos and illustrations are not very good. If she does a second edition I hope they sort this out!

Excellent news for all dance lovers, 08 Oct 2007
This book is a gift to all dancers, it offers detailed information about tango, its history and technique. The book also covers philosophical aspects of couples dancing as well as giving subtle hints about loving, caring and being in trance with each other whilst dancing. This book is a gift.

The Essence of Tango!, 04 Oct 2007
Learning to dance the Tango can be a confusing and sometimes frustrating experience. For those of us not brought up in the Tango culture of Buenos Aires, our first impressions are often of roses between teeth, and slick, stylish Tango shows. When you first see the social dance, you are presented with yet another variation. Different teachers provide their own take on the dance and may often appear to contradict each other. Even a visit to Buenos Aires - the source and spiritual home of the Tango - may add to the confusion. The Tango developed across a large city over a period of more than a century, as a result of which different styles have developed.

In this book, Christine Denniston has identified the essence of the dance. From her first visit to Buenos Aires in the early 1990s, she sought out dancers who had first started to learn in Tango's Golden Age - the period from the mid 1930s to the mid 50s when the three elements of Tango - the music, song and dance - were at their height. Her time spent dancing with and talking with these older, experienced dancers allowed her to discover the essence that was common to all, regardless of their neighbourhood of origin or style of dance.

This is the book that the Golden Age dancers themselves never wrote! Even if you don't dance Tango, but have an interest in dance and love watching the dance shows on TV, this book will give you a valuable insight into one of the world's most fascinating and exciting dances. If you are already a Tango dancer, whatever your style, this book provides a link to those dancers who came before, and perhaps answers some questions you may still have. If you are already addicted, this book will help you to understand why!




Salsa as a universal language, 25 Aug 2008
I heard this book on Radio 4 and as a keen salsa addict, I immediately got hold of a copy. I'd like to go on a salsa holiday, and this book explained what the 'scene' is like in half-a-dozen Latin American cities

Lindop went on his own. It's really hard to turn up at bars and dance among people you've never met before. But he made contacts and organised enough lessons to get a feel for the places and people. His prose is poetic and rich, I enjoyed reading it in short bursts. There is lots of insight into the great pleasure that salsa gives: the music, the women and the movement. It works as a travelogue, and as a book about dance. You also learn a few things about an Englishman of a certain age.

I'm not sure what someone who had never danced salsa would make of it. Goethe used to say that love poetry had a reinforcing effect. Reading the poetry improved the appreciation of the lovemaking, and lovemaking gave a greater sense of the quality of of the poetry. For salsa addicts, it's very much the effect of this book!

A Stictly Girls Christmas Wish, 21 Oct 2008
Bright, Glossy with gossipy text and great photography. Flavia demonstrates many of the dances so you can have a go yourself. There is a quiz and judging page for you to mark. This is the perfect Christmas gift for my 9 year old grandaughter....... and I can see the whole family pressed into taking part on Christmas day!

A Waltz Through Life, 15 Sep 2008
This book Waltz's you through Len Goodman's life and you get to know the man behind the judge. Even if you are not a fan of Strictly Come Dancing you will still like the book because it also gives the reader an insight into growing up in the East End and Len Goodman comes across as a very witty likeable and affable gentleman. I found myself laughing out loud on many occasion much to the amusement of my fellow train passengers! I don't know if I will ever be able to eat beetroot again....you will have to read the book to find out why!!


Buy for the DVD, not the Book, 07 Sep 2008
The DVD is a joy. Really first rate instruction. Lovely music. Easy to follow.

The book is much less useful. He simplifies too much, not by being simple, but just by missing out too much information. The step-by-step instructions say nothing about direction (turn)or timing, and this is just cutting too many corners. The best parts of the book are those that give general information about the history and development of each dance, and the pictures are useful to ilustrate particular positions (but the text doesn't really to tell you how to get there).

I'm a great fan of Anton, and both his partners (Erin Boag and Flavia Cacace) are well worth watching, particularly Flavia. She has Latin motion to die for, and any beginner who REALLY watches how she shapes her moves and uses her feet will not go far wrong in acquiring a good style of their own.

Very highly recommended, particularly at the well-discounted price, but by no means without major faults as a piece of writing.

Brilliant for beginners (and anyone who likes dancing), 27 Nov 2007
As a couple starting to learn Ballroom and Latin (2 lessons so far) this book and DVD combo is very easy to follow. The book covers 10 dances step by step (literally - with a photo of each step and description).
Every dance starts with the basic steps and then builds from there to show and explain the extra moves.
The DVD has Anton taking you through the Waltz, Quickstep, Cha Cha Cha and the Jive (partnering Erin for the ballroom dances and Flavia for the Latin).
The instruction is clear, step-by-step, laced with humour and very easy to follow even for a "two-left feet" beginner like me! We managed to learn and make a decent go of the basic Jive just from following and practicing the DVD tuition for an hour.
Anton comes across very well with clear explanations, humour, useful extra tips and a complete lack of superiority or smugness.
My in-laws (who have been dancing for a very long time) were so impressed they want a copy for Christmas.

Excellent value and highly recommended.

TOP OF THE CLASS!!, 20 Nov 2007
At last, a dance manual that trips the light fantastic between all those overly simplistic beginners' dance books out there and the heavy-duty technical tomes (such as Alex Moore's 'Ballroom Dancing')! Anton's book is truly for the dance aficionado in that it combines interesting background information about each dance covered (foxtrot, rumba, waltz, cha cha cha, tango, paso doble, quickstep, samba, Viennese waltz, jive), together with detailed tuition through each dance step. Each step is illustrated by a photo of the correct position, with close-ups on the footwork. Anton's dance partner for the ballroom dances is his actual dance partner Erin Boag, and for the latin dances he has paired up with Flavia Cacace (who normally dances with Vincent Simone). This is echoed on the 45-minute DVD, which coaches you through the waltz, the quickstep, the cha cha cha and the jive (some of the hardest dances to master!). I found the DVD a refreshing change from a lot of other cringe-making dance DVDs on the market (notably the ones by Brendan Cole & Natasha Kaplinsky and Len Goodman's - sorry Len, you are lovely, but not everyone can dance to Cockney rhyming slang!). Anton's tuition is very natural, and even though he can't resist the odd cheesy remark about his gorgeous dance partners, you really feel as though he is giving you a live class in each dance. I loved the music selection on the DVD too, especially the Dean Martin classic 'Sway' for the cha cha cha and 'My Baby Just Cares for Me' for the jive. The archive photography and illustrations that feature in the book all combine to make this a really classy package. Amazon's £9.99 pricing is brilliant, as this book is worth every penny of its £19.99 RRP. Whether you're a die-hard Anton du Beke fan or simply a lover of ballroom and latin, this is a must-have purchase!!

Superb, 01 Jul 2008
This book is great it shows pictures and gives information about the judges, celebritys and professionals from 2007.

An absolute must for Strictly fans, 10 Nov 2007
I'm mad about Strictly Come Dancing and I love this book. I've got last year's 'Official Guide', and was worried that there might be some overlap - but there isn't! It's all completely new. It has interviews with all the judges, the show's stylist, the hair and make-up person, all the previous winners and all this year's celebs. Plus, there's a complete guide to all the past series, with photos of highlights, lowlights, tears, tantrums and triumphs. Also, Erin Boag and Karen Hardy put you through their own keep fit routine based on the dances. It's really easy to follow, and fun to do. I'm hoping I'll look like them if I do it often enough!
There's masses more and it's packed with photos. You get a fascinating glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes, but also blown away by the glamour and glitz of the show itself. Highly recommended!

Why the change?, 08 Nov 2007
Much prefer the previous books,very disappointed that there are no biography pages of the professionals this year or pictures,they do such a fantastic job. Also the ballroom and latin content has disappeared and been replaced by fitness which is not really Strictly Come Dancing!! Please keep the original format its much better.

I bought this for myself before i started classes., 24 Apr 2008
I found this book immensly helpful and very clear to follow. It goes through important exercises and dance moves from pre-primary grade to grade 5, so gives you alot of help when practicing no-matter what standard you are! i reccommend this book to anyone interested in improving their technique, or wanting to start ballet lessons. I hope you enjoy it too.

fantastic, 03 Jun 2005
This book is a wonderful godsend. It is writen in a way that everybody can understand including the children learning. It goes through grades in detail with full explinations and drawing, broken down in stages which I felt were easy to follow. It was great to be able to put pictures to words I had heard and more detailed explinations than sometimes you get during a class. There are lots of helpful tips and reminders and a good glossary of terms it even shows you where to sew on elastics correctly on your shoes!!! I highly recomend this book to anyone of any age interested in ballet. The only downside is I wished it was longer! and covered every single exercise possible it was that good a book.

Very, very realistic, 22 Jan 2000
This book is real good, as it is based on RAD Ballet Training for pre primary -> grade 5. It was written in a way that can be understood really well. The best parts are the drawings. Very accurate and realistic. This book contains ballet vocabulary,ballet training (character too), little pargraphs written by dancers, and a few more things. It wa so useful that my teacher asked if she could borrow it!

A most vital and valuable insight, 22 Jan 2008
This book is required reading for anybody who is interested in Tango. The more I re-read it, the more I like it. It takes us back to the roots and very reason for Tango's existence and survival into our own era. Christine Denniston's unique experiences offer us the missing link between the Golden Age of Tango popularity and today. Her encounters with older dancers in Buenos Aires at an exciting time when Tango was being reborn after many years of neglect are interesting in their own right but also explain so much about the dance as a vital part of Argentine culture.
In another sense, this book squares the circle. Those who currently learn Tango often find themselves taught a shallow pastiche of the dance and, particularly after one or two unpleasant experiences at Milongas, may come to wonder why they should bother. They may even have come to believe that Tango is no different from any other couple dance. Christine explains why the real thing is so much more rewarding when taken to heart as a vehicle for couple intimacy raher than aerobics or attention-seeking display.
This is a book for reading over and over again. Yes, the publisher has economised on paper. It really doesn't matter. A copy should be handed out by every Tango teacher to every newcomer to Tango

properly researched and authentic, 22 Oct 2007
Christine is very well respected amongst the Tango community. She made the effort to live amongst, dance with and learn from surviving milongueros from the Golden Age. Through her research she brings a more credible history of Tango, avoiding the usual cliched caricatures. Her book covers the social history, the evolution of the music and the dance itself.

Her discussion of the dance is particularly interesting. Tango is much more nuanced and subtle than the strutting acrobatics often associated with the term "tango". It is a language for communicating with your partner, it has a grammar, a vocabulary and is incredibly expressive. Christine goes into some detail about the social dance as it was danced, and in particular the rationale behind its technique. Argentine tango is about "two hearts" moving as one, in a pleasant and comfortable way ... and not about strenuous kicks and flicks, and Christine gets this. Many books and even teachers do not get this.

This is a small easy to read book, but its full of valuable content. I have many books on Tango and this one is my favourite.

The only things that stops this being a 5-star is the book is printed on horrible cheap paper and the photos and illustrations are not very good. If she does a second edition I hope they sort this out!

Excellent news for all dance lovers, 08 Oct 2007
This book is a gift to all dancers, it offers detailed information about tango, its history and technique. The book also covers philosophical aspects of couples dancing as well as giving subtle hints about loving, caring and being in trance with each other whilst dancing. This book is a gift.

The Essence of Tango!, 04 Oct 2007
Learning to dance the Tango can be a confusing and sometimes frustrating experience. For those of us not brought up in the Tango culture of Buenos Aires, our first impressions are often of roses between teeth, and slick, stylish Tango shows. When you first see the social dance, you are presented with yet another variation. Different teachers provide their own take on the dance and may often appear to contradict each other. Even a visit to Buenos Aires - the source and spiritual home of the Tango - may add to the confusion. The Tango developed across a large city over a period of more than a century, as a result of which different styles have developed.

In this book, Christine Denniston has identified the essence of the dance. From her first visit to Buenos Aires in the early 1990s, she sought out dancers who had first started to learn in Tango's Golden Age - the period from the mid 1930s to the mid 50s when the three elements of Tango - the music, song and dance - were at their height. Her time spent dancing with and talking with these older, experienced dancers allowed her to discover the essence that was common to all, regardless of their neighbourhood of origin or style of dance.

This is the book that the Golden Age dancers themselves never wrote! Even if you don't dance Tango, but have an interest in dance and love watching the dance shows on TV, this book will give you a valuable insight into one of the world's most fascinating and exciting dances. If you are already a Tango dancer, whatever your style, this book provides a link to those dancers who came before, and perhaps answers some questions you may still have. If you are already addicted, this book will help you to understand why!




Salsa as a universal language, 25 Aug 2008
I heard this book on Radio 4 and as a keen salsa addict, I immediately got hold of a copy. I'd like to go on a salsa holiday, and this book explained what the 'scene' is like in half-a-dozen Latin American cities

Lindop went on his own. It's really hard to turn up at bars and dance among people you've never met before. But he made contacts and organised enough lessons to get a feel for the places and people. His prose is poetic and rich, I enjoyed reading it in short bursts. There is lots of insight into the great pleasure that salsa gives: the music, the women and the movement. It works as a travelogue, and as a book about dance. You also learn a few things about an Englishman of a certain age.

I'm not sure what someone who had never danced salsa would make of it. Goethe used to say that love poetry had a reinforcing effect. Reading the poetry improved the appreciation of the lovemaking, and lovemaking gave a greater sense of the quality of of the poetry. For salsa addicts, it's very much the effect of this book!

a flawed account, 28 Jan 2008
Julie Kavanagh seemingly had access to a number of people important in Nureyev's life who had never before spoken to a biographer. Given this, it's surprising that she seems to have so little regard for her subject either personally or professionally. If you want to read about what went on in the gay bars of New York in the 60s and 70s, then this is the book for you. If you want to read about a dancer and director who had a significant effect on classical dance in the second half of the last century, look elsewhere. Nor will you find an account of the complex and interesting man who was Rudolf Nureyev. And beware: the book is peppered with factual inaccuracies.

This book is a no-holds-barred triumph, 27 Jan 2008
Rudolf Nureyev, one of very few icons of 20th-century high culture who entirely transcends the art form in which he earned his fame, deserves a biography befitting his status. In Julie Kavanagh's Rudolf Nureyev: The Life he has found one. I knew next to nothing about ballet before picking up this wonderfully hefty volume. I came away from it wanting to rent every available DVD of Nureyev dancing. The author finds a way of walking the layman (or woman) through the complex technical passages, explaining exactly how his greatness grew out of a combination of cussed perfectionism and a charismatic humanity that cannot be worked up at the barre. But the exhaustively researched narrative is about so much more than dance. You turn the pages eager to discover what fresh celebrity he will befriend, which new city he will conquer, which nose he will put out of joint. It is a riveting portrait of an epically complex man - a sensitive monster, a Soviet-reared libertine who accumulated homes, money and lovers with unbridled avidity. His biographer does not flinch in the face of the bestialities, although she is also careful to attribute them to a horrific childhood and the shock to Nureyev's moral system that came with his dramatic escape to the west. The story of his rise is intoxicating. The story of his decline is almost unbearable. The dying fall of the last fifty pages, his powers bled away by arthritis and Aids till he ended up living all but ferally like Prometheus on a lonely Italian rock, counts as the most powerful climax to a biography I've ever read. I cannot recommend it highly enough.







ALL RUDI, ALL THE TIME, 08 Nov 2007
Kavanagh's "Nureyev" is another first-rate dance biography, fully matching her marvelous account of Frederick Ashton. Nureyev was more a great star than a great dancer, yet his impact on male ballet dancers worldwide was transformative. Before Rudi, they were mostly earthbound dullards, either crudely straight or mincingly effeminate; after Rudi, men in ballet became nearly as turned out, pulled up, and extended as ballerinas, with a protean animalism that enabled them to live gay yet seem to love their women onstage.

Unlike her predecessor Richard Buckle, whose dance bios read like transcribed engagement books, Kavanagh offers a nearly perfect balance of details and distillation, compellingly tracing arcs in her subject's life. She pays extra attention to Rudi's first years in the West, richly detailing his two key relationships--with Margot Fonteyn, whom he ignited just as she was about to retire, and with Eric Bruhn, the one dancer he would learn from and the love of his life--plus the recasting of his dancing into a fusion of Russian and Western. Rudi's restless gay life is all there, yet without prurience. Eventually he settled down, for a time, with Wallace Potts, an all-American gay boy whose goodness and devotion shine through very attractively (other acolytes followed). In these pages, Rudi lives just like a coddled star athlete: no matter how beastly his conduct, somebody always satisfies his needs and keeps his ego fully inflated. A fine biography and a great read.

A Stictly Girls Christmas Wish, 21 Oct 2008
Bright, Glossy with gossipy text and great photography. Flavia demonstrates many of the dances so you can have a go yourself. There is a quiz and judging page for you to mark. This is the perfect Christmas gift for my 9 year old grandaughter....... and I can see the whole family pressed into taking part on Christmas day!

A Waltz Through Life, 15 Sep 2008
This book Waltz's you through Len Goodman's life and you get to know the man behind the judge. Even if you are not a fan of Strictly Come Dancing you will still like the book because it also gives the reader an insight into growing up in the East End and Len Goodman comes across as a very witty likeable and affable gentleman. I found myself laughing out loud on many occasion much to the amusement of my fellow train passengers! I don't know if I will ever be able to eat beetroot again....you will have to read the book to find out why!!


Buy for the DVD, not the Book, 07 Sep 2008
The DVD is a joy. Really first rate instruction. Lovely music. Easy to follow.

The book is much less useful. He simplifies too much, not by being simple, but just by missing out too much information. The step-by-step instructions say nothing about direction (turn)or timing, and this is just cutting too many corners. The best parts of the book are those that give general information about the history and development of each dance, and the pictures are useful to ilustrate particular positions (but the text doesn't really to tell you how to get there).

I'm a great fan of Anton, and both his partners (Erin Boag and Flavia Cacace) are well worth watching, particularly Flavia. She has Latin motion to die for, and any beginner who REALLY watches how she shapes her moves and uses her feet will not go far wrong in acquiring a good style of their own.

Very highly recommended, particularly at the well-discounted price, but by no means without major faults as a piece of writing.

Brilliant for beginners (and anyone who likes dancing), 27 Nov 2007
As a couple starting to learn Ballroom and Latin (2 lessons so far) this book and DVD combo is very easy to follow. The book covers 10 dances step by step (literally - with a photo of each step and description).
Every dance starts with the basic steps and then builds from there to show and explain the extra moves.
The DVD has Anton taking you through the Waltz, Quickstep, Cha Cha Cha and the Jive (partnering Erin for the ballroom dances and Flavia for the Latin).
The instruction is clear, step-by-step, laced with humour and very easy to follow even for a "two-left feet" beginner like me! We managed to learn and make a decent go of the basic Jive just from following and practicing the DVD tuition for an hour.
Anton comes across very well with clear explanations, humour, useful extra tips and a complete lack of superiority or smugness.
My in-laws (who have been dancing for a very long time) were so impressed they want a copy for Christmas.

Excellent value and highly recommended.

TOP OF THE CLASS!!, 20 Nov 2007
At last, a dance manual that trips the light fantastic between all those overly simplistic beginners' dance books out there and the heavy-duty technical tomes (such as Alex Moore's 'Ballroom Dancing')! Anton's book is truly for the dance aficionado in that it combines interesting background information about each dance covered (foxtrot, rumba, waltz, cha cha cha, tango, paso doble, quickstep, samba, Viennese waltz, jive), together with detailed tuition through each dance step. Each step is illustrated by a photo of the correct position, with close-ups on the footwork. Anton's dance partner for the ballroom dances is his actual dance partner Erin Boag, and for the latin dances he has paired up with Flavia Cacace (who normally dances with Vincent Simone). This is echoed on the 45-minute DVD, which coaches you through the waltz, the quickstep, the cha cha cha and the jive (some of the hardest dances to master!). I found the DVD a refreshing change from a lot of other cringe-making dance DVDs on the market (notably the ones by Brendan Cole & Natasha Kaplinsky and Len Goodman's - sorry Len, you are lovely, but not everyone can dance to Cockney rhyming slang!). Anton's tuition is very natural, and even though he can't resist the odd cheesy remark about his gorgeous dance partners, you really feel as though he is giving you a live class in each dance. I loved the music selection on the DVD too, especially the Dean Martin classic 'Sway' for the cha cha cha and 'My Baby Just Cares for Me' for the jive. The archive photography and illustrations that feature in the book all combine to make this a really classy package. Amazon's £9.99 pricing is brilliant, as this book is worth every penny of its £19.99 RRP. Whether you're a die-hard Anton du Beke fan or simply a lover of ballroom and latin, this is a must-have purchase!!

Superb, 01 Jul 2008
This book is great it shows pictures and gives information about the judges, celebritys and professionals from 2007.

An absolute must for Strictly fans, 10 Nov 2007
I'm mad about Strictly Come Dancing and I love this book. I've got last year's 'Official Guide', and was worried that there might be some overlap - but there isn't! It's all completely new. It has interviews with all the judges, the show's stylist, the hair and make-up person, all the previous winners and all this year's celebs. Plus, there's a complete guide to all the past series, with photos of highlights, lowlights, tears, tantrums and triumphs. Also, Erin Boag and Karen Hardy put you through their own keep fit routine based on the dances. It's really easy to follow, and fun to do. I'm hoping I'll look like them if I do it often enough!
There's masses more and it's packed with photos. You get a fascinating glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes, but also blown away by the glamour and glitz of the show itself. Highly recommended!

Why the change?, 08 Nov 2007
Much prefer the previous books,very disappointed that there are no biography pages of the professionals this year or pictures,they do such a fantastic job. Also the ballroom and latin content has disappeared and been replaced by fitness which is not really Strictly Come Dancing!! Please keep the original format its much better.

I bought this for myself before i started classes., 24 Apr 2008
I found this book immensly helpful and very clear to follow. It goes through important exercises and dance moves from pre-primary grade to grade 5, so gives you alot of help when practicing no-matter what standard you are! i reccommend this book to anyone interested in improving their technique, or wanting to start ballet lessons. I hope you enjoy it too.

fantastic, 03 Jun 2005
This book is a wonderful godsend. It is writen in a way that everybody can understand including the children learning. It goes through grades in detail with full explinations and drawing, broken down in stages which I felt were easy to follow. It was great to be able to put pictures to words I had heard and more detailed explinations than sometimes you get during a class. There are lots of helpful tips and reminders and a good glossary of terms it even shows you where to sew on elastics correctly on your shoes!!! I highly recomend this book to anyone of any age interested in ballet. The only downside is I wished it was longer! and covered every single exercise possible it was that good a book.

Very, very realistic, 22 Jan 2000
This book is real good, as it is based on RAD Ballet Training for pre primary -> grade 5. It was written in a way that can be understood really well. The best parts are the drawings. Very accurate and realistic. This book contains ballet vocabulary,ballet training (character too), little pargraphs written by dancers, and a few more things. It wa so useful that my teacher asked if she could borrow it!

A most vital and valuable insight, 22 Jan 2008
This book is required reading for anybody who is interested in Tango. The more I re-read it, the more I like it. It takes us back to the roots and very reason for Tango's existence and survival into our own era. Christine Denniston's unique experiences offer us the missing link between the Golden Age of Tango popularity and today. Her encounters with older dancers in Buenos Aires at an exciting time when Tango was being reborn after many years of neglect are interesting in their own right but also explain so much about the dance as a vital part of Argentine culture.
In another sense, this book squares the circle. Those who currently learn Tango often find themselves taught a shallow pastiche of the dance and, particularly after one or two unpleasant experiences at Milongas, may come to wonder why they should bother. They may even have come to believe that Tango is no different from any other couple dance. Christine explains why the real thing is so much more rewarding when taken to heart as a vehicle for couple intimacy raher than aerobics or attention-seeking display.
This is a book for reading over and over again. Yes, the publisher has economised on paper. It really doesn't matter. A copy should be handed out by every Tango teacher to every newcomer to Tango

properly researched and authentic, 22 Oct 2007
Christine is very well respected amongst the Tango community. She made the effort to live amongst, dance with and learn from surviving milongueros from the Golden Age. Through her research she brings a more credible history of Tango, avoiding the usual cliched caricatures. Her book covers the social history, the evolution of the music and the dance itself.

Her discussion of the dance is particularly interesting. Tango is much more nuanced and subtle than the strutting acrobatics often associated with the term "tango". It is a language for communicating with your partner, it has a grammar, a vocabulary and is incredibly expressive. Christine goes into some detail about the social dance as it was danced, and in particular the rationale behind its technique. Argentine tango is about "two hearts" moving as one, in a pleasant and comfortable way ... and not about strenuous kicks and flicks, and Christine gets this. Many books and even teachers do not get this.

This is a small easy to read book, but its full of valuable content. I have many books on Tango and this one is my favourite.

The only things that stops this being a 5-star is the book is printed on horrible cheap paper and the photos and illustrations are not very good. If she does a second edition I hope they sort this out!

Excellent news for all dance lovers, 08 Oct 2007
This book is a gift to all dancers, it offers detailed information about tango, its history and technique. The book also covers philosophical aspects of couples dancing as well as giving subtle hints about loving, caring and being in trance with each other whilst dancing. This book is a gift.

The Essence of Tango!, 04 Oct 2007
Learning to dance the Tango can be a confusing and sometimes frustrating experience. For those of us not brought up in the Tango culture of Buenos Aires, our first impressions are often of roses between teeth, and slick, stylish Tango shows. When you first see the social dance, you are presented with yet another variation. Different teachers provide their own take on the dance and may often appear to contradict each other. Even a visit to Buenos Aires - the source and spiritual home of the Tango - may add to the confusion. The Tango developed across a large city over a period of more than a century, as a result of which different styles have developed.

In this book, Christine Denniston has identified the essence of the dance. From her first visit to Buenos Aires in the early 1990s, she sought out dancers who had first started to learn in Tango's Golden Age - the period from the mid 1930s to the mid 50s when the three elements of Tango - the music, song and dance - were at their height. Her time spent dancing with and talking with these older, experienced dancers allowed her to discover the essence that was common to all, regardless of their neighbourhood of origin or style of dance.

This is the book that the Golden Age dancers themselves never wrote! Even if you don't dance Tango, but have an interest in dance and love watching the dance shows on TV, this book will give you a valuable insight into one of the world's most fascinating and exciting dances. If you are already a Tango dancer, whatever your style, this book provides a link to those dancers who came before, and perhaps answers some questions you may still have. If you are already addicted, this book will help you to understand why!




Salsa as a universal language, 25 Aug 2008
I heard this book on Radio 4 and as a keen salsa addict, I immediately got hold of a copy. I'd like to go on a salsa holiday, and this book explained what the 'scene' is like in half-a-dozen Latin American cities

Lindop went on his own. It's really hard to turn up at bars and dance among people you've never met before. But he made contacts and organised enough lessons to get a feel for the places and people. His prose is poetic and rich, I enjoyed reading it in short bursts. There is lots of insight into the great pleasure that salsa gives: the music, the women and the movement. It works as a travelogue, and as a book about dance. You also learn a few things about an Englishman of a certain age.

I'm not sure what someone who had never danced salsa would make of it. Goethe used to say that love poetry had a reinforcing effect. Reading the poetry improved the appreciation of the lovemaking, and lovemaking gave a greater sense of the quality of of the poetry. For salsa addicts, it's very much the effect of this book!

a flawed account, 28 Jan 2008
Julie Kavanagh seemingly had access to a number of people important in Nureyev's life who had never before spoken to a biographer. Given this, it's surprising that she seems to have so little regard for her subject either personally or professionally. If you want to read about what went on in the gay bars of New York in the 60s and 70s, then this is the book for you. If you want to read about a dancer and director who had a significant effect on classical dance in the second half of the last century, look elsewhere. Nor will you find an account of the complex and interesting man who was Rudolf Nureyev. And beware: the book is peppered with factual inaccuracies.

This book is a no-holds-barred triumph, 27 Jan 2008
Rudolf Nureyev, one of very few icons of 20th-century high culture who entirely transcends the art form in which he earned his fame, deserves a biography befitting his status. In Julie Kavanagh's Rudolf Nureyev: The Life he has found one. I knew next to nothing about ballet before picking up this wonderfully hefty volume. I came awa