The Ballet Book: Learning and Appreciating the Secrets of Dance

I received this book last Christmas as a present and was so thrilled to have it that I literally sat down for 2 hours slowly flipping through the pages and forgot about the rest of the presents to open. My husband and father-in-law actually left me with my book to do other things since I wasn't going to budge. I cannot open this book without looking through it entirely. There are very few vivid and enticing books of ballet. I love seeing dancers, true professionals at the top of their game, performing or posing to evoke emotions from their audience. Since I am a perfectionist, I am looking at their form, their shapes, seeing what I can do better. Books such as this one renew my mind and push me harder in class to create that perfect line, find that correct position. I am one of the few that love ballet as much as breathing, and this book captures my love quite excellently. If you are looking for an excellent visual reference for technique, get Classical Ballet Technique by Gretchen Ward Warren. This is full of step by step photos of rudimentary and advanced steps.

This book is nothing but spectacular photography and interesting behind-the-scenes looks at one of the most beautiful arts in the world. I love ballet and I can't get enough of it. This book is one of my favorite things ever and it's a great addition to any book collection. Stories, costumes, and props for various major ballets from Nutcrakcer to Sleeping Beauty were a pleasant surprise that added to the quality of this book.

A beautiful book with photos and some text. There is no real explanation of how to do anything ballet. That is OK. Just understand that this is basically a book for decoration, not instruction.

I love everything about the text, photos. I use do ballet, but I didn't know anything about it when I took ballet. So this book is showing and telling about it. Its defintly a keepsake for me and my kids, grandkids, and so on. Thank you.

"The elegant images that accompany Hanna Rubin's text in THE BALLET BOOK features Amercian Ballet Theatre dancers, as photographed by Nancy Ellison. The pictures which show dance in the studio, during rehearsal and onstage, speak volumes about the artform and will inspire any principal-in-training . The entire span of a ballet career is described in images and words, from the initial dream and the learning process through preparation and performance and even retirement.