A distinguished dance critic offers an enchanting introduction to the
art of ballet
As much as we may enjoy Swan Lake or The Nutcracker, for many of us
ballet is a foreign language. It communicates through movement, not
words, and its history lies almost entirely abroad -- in Russia, Italy,
and France. In Celestial Bodies, dance critic Laura Jacobs makes the
foreign familiar, providing a lively, poetic, and uniquely accessible
introduction to the world of classical dance. Combining history,
interviews with dancers, technical definitions, descriptions of
performances, and personal stories, Jacobs offers an intimate and
passionate guide to watching ballet and understanding the central
elements of choreography.
Beautifully written and elegantly illustrated with original drawings,
Celestial Bodies is essential reading for all lovers of this
magnificent art form.