Basic Ballet: The Steps Defined

I am a beginning adult student, had one class in college. I have enjoyed looking at the steps with the pictures. As I am learning this clarifies the technique. I like the explanations. Ballet is challenging and this de-mystifies alot of the process. The pictures are in black and white, which I do not mind. It is straight forward and easy to follow. I am glad I bought it.

I had this book 30 years ago when I started ballet as an adult. It helped me tremendously as far as learning ballet terminology. If the instructor called out a step that I didn't know, I would come home and look it up and understand what I needed to do to create it. I loaned it out the first time but won't do that again. I hope it helps my grandchildren.

Great price for a straight forward ballet "dictionary". Some of the moves were hard for me to grasp but that may just be because I have absolutely no dance background. It's a good book for gaining a basic understanding of ballet movements and terminology.

Perfect to keep in your dance bag.

This very complete volume is a lovely gift book as well as a useful reference book. The only weakness is the lack of emphasis on arm positions when doing the steps although they are illustrated in the photographs. I believe dancers who have experienced the following will find it useful too: When I was a student of ballet, I was frustrated by the subtle differences in the standards of different teachers. Sometimes I wondered, "So how EXACTLY am I supposed to do this?" I did not enjoy being corrected for what a prior instructor had taught me and pronounced well-executed. This book would have clarified things for me at the time. Now that I practice alone, I find this book invaluable. Also, I support Christine's review dated May 4, 2001.

This actually is a very good book to have no matter what level of Ballet or Pointe one is at!! Detailed with photos!

I'm a dance teacher, but it had been a while since my full immersion in ballet. Whenever I blank on the name of something or just need a quick reference, this book is perfect. Love it.

This book has a larger version with print and photos you can actually see. This book is so small and the photos are dark and impossible to see. Save your money. This book is USELESS

Not horrible but too many pictures not enough explanation on each one and what just not my favourite but definitely dance anatomy if you have a chance to get it and are studying ballet and anatomy of the body then it's the right book for you.

Totally useless! Professionally bound, glossy cover of photocopied content. The copy quality is so dark as to be barely visible. I didn't notice the format at the time of ordering - my fault - but is also a very small book. As I said, useless!!!

I would not consider the book to be in good condition. It had spillage stains on it. Also, it dated from the 1970s. Had that been in the description I would not have bought it. I was disappointed and will not be buying any used items from Amazon again as your idea of "good" condition is not mine.