Dance Books

Such a shame this comedy troupe broke up. Humour with surgical precision. Roots of Python found here. You'll listen over and over again.

After Spike Milligan and Peter Sellers came the Beyond the Fringe crowd. This is one of the foundation stones of transatlantic comedy. Cook and Moore preceded Pythons Cleese and Chapman at Cambridge. (They in turn preceded Frye and Laurie.) Ripeness is all, and they had it...

The team of Jonathan Miller, Alan Bennett, Peter Cook and Dudley Moore was originally conceived as a potentially successful show for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1960 - hence the name. None of them had ever worked together before, or not at any rate in this configuration, and each of them went into the project with some doubts. They ended up producing one of the most savagely funny comedy shows ever, a piece of work that was to play a large part in the transformation of the British cultural landscape during the 1960s.

It's all very well (and true) to say that this stuff is still funny after forty years. It's more useful to put yourself back into the mindset of a 1961 audience, utterly unprepared for such a comic assault on the sacred cows of post-war British culture: dodgily reverential productions of Shakespeare; dreary and self-aggrandising prime-ministerial broadcasts by then PM Harold Macmillan; a devastating swipe at the cheery platitudes of governmental advice on what to do during a nuclear attack (basically, hide inside a brown paper bag); a brutal demolition of piously cliched movies about the sacrifices of world war 2 - these lads dished it out in spades. The laughter you hear on the soundtrack is not the cosy laughter of an audience hearing what it likes to hear, it's the guilty and almost hysterical laughter of an audience having its worst fears and suspicions confirmed and provoked.

Fair enough, Dudley Moore (RIP) went on to make some dodgy movies. Jonathan Miller did some fine work in the theatre and in opera, but nothing quite as cutting-edge as here. Alan Bennett became an English (not British) institution. Peter Cook ended up with a reputation as the Guy Who Never Fulfilled His Promise - but none of these assessments are accurate. Between the talents of the four of them, they produced a comedy that has seldom been lived up to. They truly were the Bill Hickses of 60s England. As Michael Frayn points out in his excellent introductory essay, it's because they made the audience laugh at their own prejudices. Few have done so much, and they never slacked. (One of the sketches from the 1964 Broadway production, included here, confirms this, in a sardonic assessment of American culture and how-the-show-is-likely-to-go-down-there, still true today.)

This is great comedy. We shouldn't imitate its content - we should strive to reach for the level of insight and the accuracy of target that they met. Mind you, it's still damn funny. My personal faves are the civil defence sketch and Bennett's stunningly vacuous sermon "Take A Pew", chunks of which I know off by heart. Good comedy is never cosy, and while this may seem like we've heard it before, bear in mind that nobody had ever quite done anything like this at the time - or, anyway, not so successfully. Genius.

The legendary performance by 4 true geniuses. Oh, if we could only have this on vid....

I have spent a great deal of time playing this to people who finally get it. The launching pad for Monty Python, Lenny Bruce, Mort Sahl, et al, is right here. These 3 CDs contain the cream of the 60's satire crop by 4 very affable chaps not afraid to take convention and a sledgehammer and juxtapose the two. The material is first-rate and the performances practically flawless. One or two bits do require more visual, but the gist is just as good--gets the mind working.

Even the material that is dated (Harold Macmillan et al) holds up well because, in all honesty, have politicians really changed all that much in 40 years? I think not--it's just more public now.

Get this set by any means. You will truly treasure this gem for years to come.

Terrific. I've just spent the entire weekend listening to certain tracks over and over. The writing is fantastic and the talents of these 4 are really amazing. The characterizations are crystal clear and masterfully layered ("Words...and Things," "TVPM," "Take a Pew" among others) so that for any performer, writer or director, "Beyond the Fringe" is an education. Two of the three CDs were recorded in London and it is interesting to compare them with the third CD, recorded in the U.S. Although I questioned my hormone balances when I paid for the thing, I'm very happy to have it as a part of my collection. For any piano players, Dudley Moore does a wonderful job with humor and music. While some of the sketches aren't nearly as topical as they were in 1961, the time gap serves to clarify the choices of the actors. Even with that, the sketches have aged well.

This book is much more informative and essential to the working actor than the countless others you can find on a bookshelf. Instead of giving the same advice (which usually isn't good to use in an audition situation), it expounds on the idea that you already have some idea about what you need and gives you real, nose-to-the-grindstone advice on how to tighten things up and give a real whammy of an audition.
As well as advice on choosing the appropriate 16 bars or monologue, it gives advice about representation, Actors Equity, resumés, headshots, you name it.
Here's a hint: This book is soo worth it, we used it as a textbook in a collegiate course about auditioning.

I don't know how I auditioned before this book. For any high school or college student going through program or emphasis auditions, this book is essential. And even better, for professional auditions, this book is a handbook on how to do everything you will need to know.
I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to be enlightened.

As a student of Music Theatre, this book is a fantastic guide to the well rounded audition. This book even landed me the audition! This book is well worth a read for ANYONE who is autioning in Acting, Singing and Musical Theatre.

My son plans a career in musical theatre and this is the fourth book that I have read on the topic. The others included the book by Shurtleff and the one by Silver. They were all good but I liked this one best because it covered all of the practical aspects of performing songs and monologues for auditions. It guides one through all of the details. Since this is the most current of all the books the frames of reference are more appropriate.

Actors, whether seasoned or new, who regularly audition for musicals and plays should not omit taking at least a peek at the advice in The Complete Professional Audition: A Commonsense Guide To Auditioning For Musicals And Plays: it's a 'must' for would-be pros and provides an edge over the competition in both musical theater and regular play auditions, from locating the right music or monologue to demonstrating unique talents in a mere 2 minutes. An added bonus: chapters which discuss the realities of a working actor's life beyond the audition, from union regulations and the roles of agents to further reference tips, including web sites. Simply invaluable.

I was expecting each knit to be a different pattern and was surprised to see only 2 types of patterns for tops. At the beginning of the book, there is 1 pattern for a cardigan, a pull-over and a hat/mittens (6,12 and 18mth sizes). You are basically directed to knit the particular pattern and add the mofifs as you go. So, for example, if you don't like the pullover pattern a significant proportion of the book is not useable, or you need to adapt the motifs to a pattern from another book. Adapting the motifs to a design you do like (or know that fits) is probably not a difficult task and the motifs and colours are sweet.
There is a nice range of mofif styles, with the cover picture a good indication of the types of designs in the book.

At last! Knits for "Wee Ones" without "wee" needles! I have never liked to use size 2 or 3 needles which most baby and toddler patterns call for. This book has great designs but it gives you the basic patterns first, and colors to please everyones taste.

This book is wonderful. It offers very basic patterns for sweaters, hats, booties, then offers the variations in design and color patterns. I now have knitted many of the patterns in this book (even adding my own variations) and the patterns are amazingly accurate, well written, and explained simply and understandably. Anyone who is looking for a book that gives simple pattern instructions, suitable for an ambitious beginner, with memorable designs that make you look like an expert, should pick this one.

absolutely love this book. i have made several of the sweaters and plan and plan on making more. they make wonderful presents at showers and baby gifts after. i am waiting for her next book.

This book contains so many patterns that you will want to knit you will have a diffiicult time selecting the one to do first. Each is unique with some enhancement on each. I want to knit them all even though I have no one in mind (at the present) to give them to.

There is no way to change the ending. We all die. That's a fact. But Marion Rosen brings some cheer into the search for the end. She survives two major bouts with cancer. It's a surprise ending in a way. I enjoyed her novels and now Her book on cancer is very special indeed. Congratulations to the author!

"Dance Like Nobody's Watching", what a positive and uplifting book. As I closed the book after reading about Marion's positive experiences and how she was always there for those who needed her, I felt a big warm hug from my dear friend and colleague. This is a book that I will read more that one time.

"Dance Like Nobody's Watching" is an unusual insight into how people diagnosed with cancer face their everyday problems. The author skillfully blends the emotional, spiritual and clinical aspects of fighting this disease.

I was recommended this book by Amazon when I purchased a "Living with Cancer" cookbook. I have been recently diagnosed with breast cancer and decided to read this so I could hear a "survivors's" story, and get hope and inspiration for my complete recovery. Whereas the storyteller does survive 2 major cancers, and does give good insight on body-spirit connection,nutrition, meditation, and reaching out for support, I was left feeling quite depressed after finishing the book. The storyteller survives, Thank Goodness, and apparently remains cancer free, but pretty much all the other characters in the book whom she befriended thru various support groups, eventually succumb to their cancer and pass away.
This may indeed be reality, but not one that I needed to be confronted with repeatedly at the beginning of my journey. So, if you are just starting down this cancer path, and you are looking for hope and inspiration, beware, this book may not be the answer to your prayers!! To be totally honest, even though the storyteller survives, and I am really happy about that, there was so much death in this book that I would not recommend it to anyone who does not want to dwell on where their journey might take them.

My heartfelt thanks to Marian Rosen for this amazing book and sharing her battle with two forms of cancer. It is honestly and beautifully written, transcending any story I have read about cancer. This is an intimate account of what the author experienced and how she learned to cope with life-threatening diseases (breast and ovarian cancers),embrace life, and survive. Dance Like Nobody's Watching shows that one can move from a feeling of helplessness to hopefulness, from fearing death to choosing life, from feeling out of control to taking charge, and from feeling alone to finding a wealth of support from family, friends, and support groups.

Dance Like Nobody's Watching is not only a story about cancer, but also a highly informative or instructional manual/how-to guide for dealing with cancer. I was greatly impressed with the wealth of information presented on treatment,research, legislation, and groups dealing with cancer.

I highly recommend this book for everyone, including those with cancer or those who have friends or family members with cancer.

There are many insights inside this book. The book makes me ponder ordinary assumptions about how I deal with life. Dr. Scafallato also brings his personal experience with his life and relationships as a learning tool for the reader. The quest for understanding the dualities we find in life is palpable when reading his book. Furthermore, if we (as a culture) can learn to embrace the dualities we confront, then possibly we can be more civil and understanding to each other. It's easy to consider people, strange ideas, etc. as the "other" rather than see the duality nature. In short, I heartily recommend the book but be prepared for the challenge to think in different ways.

Words of wisdom from a truly inspired mind. Dr. Scarfalloto manages to bridge the gap between the eternal search for profundity and the confusion that plagues so many of us. Ever the faithful agnostic, I was deeply moved by the simple truths revealed in this surprisingly logical study of humanity. Dr. Scarfalloto's exploration of theological and philosophical travesty is amazingly easy to read and follow. Furthermore, it manages to be both deeply meaningful and thought provoking, while remaining joyously lighthearted. Thank you, Dr. Scarfalloto, I hope there is more on the way.

Everyone should have a copy of this book, as it lends perspective on most emotions we feel in our life.

This reading is as good as it gets in terms of offering some very thoughtful, provocative explantions on those really difficult questions about life--questions that we as human beings all face. I would recommend this book to anyone who is seriously contemplating the "meaning of it all" and doing some deep soul searching. To sum it up, this reading was liberating, stimulating and healing...it changed my entire outlook on life, gave me new points of reference and took the sting out of some of life's most challenging moments.

The Dance of Opposites is one of those books that once you pick it up you can't seem to put it down. You will never look at everyday life in the same way again. This book gives you insight like no other as well as a refreshing twist that you hadn't considered before. We go through each day taking things as they come, when in fact we have the unique ability to change how we perceive the world around us. We just needed to be educated on how to do so. Thank you Dr.Scarfalloto.

I started reading this book on vacation and found it hard to put down. It was fun, informative, helpful, and a really great read. I just had to know how it all worked out for Soli and Kenn (the two primary characters in the book). The structure of the book - narrative supported by deepening exercises all tied together by the story of their journey - was excellent. If you want an introduction to modern-day shamanism that is also entertaining, this is your book!

From the very beginning, this book drew me. Utilizing an intriquing manner, the author describes the modern day role of a Shaman and connections to deeper levels of our selves. This is a must read for anyone who is interested in learning who we really are and the potential of spirtual journeys.

The brilliance of this book is in its readability--Kenn Day provides a wonderful introduction to shamanism in a very down-to-earth format. He uses the structure of a travel narrative in very clever ways--while the major story follows two characters as they travel in Europe, it also contains the stories of the deeper journeys these two characters experience along the way. I appreciated both the candour and vividness with which it was written.

Wow, what a trip! From the first page to the last, this book drew me along in a journey that, on one level, was purely entertaining, but on a deeper level, profoundly touched the other realms in which we all dwell - whether consciously or not. The information and exercises in the aptly named "Deepenings" are easily accessible to novices, as well as holding valuable information for the more advanced student. A brilliant new primer for the modern shaman.

I had the pleasure of attending a book review and signing with the author, when I purchased my copy. The story is a vivid telling of a journey through the Celtic lands. Interspered with Shamistic, meditative excercised designed to enhance one's own mental and spiritual journey as well as inclusion in the story. This is a highly reccommended read.

It is hard to believe this book was written by two people; the division in their creative contributions is seamless, and they communicate clearly as one. One of the most satisfying things about this book is that it rings true. The situations and conversations could be yours, mine, or one of our friends'. These people, their lives, their challenges are so believable and real--and so are the many different forms love takes as the story unfolds. I am quite impressed by these authors and hope another book will come our way soon.

Dare to Dance sparks your interest from the very first page. Is Karen seeing things? Or has she just "lost it" like she has her beloved husband...

This is a book which tackles timely and difficult subjects, deftly and seamlessly woven through the story of a family facing the challenges of loss and change. Character development is excellent; one finds oneself relating to each person as they make their way from pain to understanding and finally, peace - facilitated by love.

One hopes this is just the first of many such efforts by Truswell and Kling. Brava!

Sandi S. Paramedic and aspiring writer of children's books

I rarely read a book twice but this is one that will remain on my bookshelf to be read again and again. Dare to Dance is easy to read although the characters are complicated, just like real life. I really got wrapped up in the comprehensive tale of a family in crisis and their day to day lives as they try to move forward.
Hoorah for the two authors who were able to write this together. I can't even imagine how I would co-author a book with such flawless narrative.
I look forward to your next book. I hope there will be a sequel to this one at some time.

I read this book in just two evenings. I loved everything about it, the style of the authors, the characters, the twists and development of
the interaction between them. I loved the beginning as well as the
ending. It left me with a positive feeling that members of one
family can stay connected while finding their own way.
I loved it yet hated to see it conclude. I do hope we will see
more from Truswell and Kling.

Dare to Dance is an easy read, the kind of book you keep reading straight through to the end. I felt for all the characters, especially Karen when Jocelyn was being so nasty to her and Drew seemed to be barely tolerating her while she was dealing not only with her loss, but also her anger - yet I understood their feelings as well. I liked the ending ; it left me with a feeling of positiveness, that families can heal with communication, understanding, openness, but it was real - I knew it would still take work, even with the changed attitudes. That's what I liked about it most - it was real, neither a fairy tale ending nor overly dramatic.

The focus of this book is the automobile crash that ended the life of actor James Dean. Dean only ever made three movies but those three had a huge impact on folks of that period.

In any case, the details given here will present you with a clearly defined account of why and how this youth noir-icon died.

He was on his way to a race, in a racecar, when a young man pulled out from an intersecting highway. So, the question arises, 'Was Dean's speed the cause of the spectacular crash or, was it carelessness on the young man's part who possibly failed to yield the right-of-way?' (HINT: Dean was just issued a speeding ticket about an hour or so before the crash!)

This book has plenty of nice illustrations and I found it a real page-turner of a mini-biography.

We invite you to learn more about James Dean and other Warren Beath titles at http://jamesdeanindeath.com/

I first read this book almost 15 years ago and lost the original paperback whilst at college.But I can still recall the creepy passages of Beath's descripton of Dean's death and Beath's veiled admission of his own descent into madness and obsession-the young man that Beath describes throughout the book IS the author himself because if you read his bibliography at the front,he lists NOTES ON DYING which is the thesis the character writes in the book.Bits that stick out are the Japanese business-man buying the hulk of the tow-truck that carried away the crumpled porshe after the crash and the author stealing a high-way cornice and storing it in his room,only to find it infested with hornets and flies.Quite superb.

I read this book when it first was published, so I am obviously not in the best position to critique it at least a couple years later. However, when it comes to James Dean I am an admitted addict and have read almost everything that has been published about him over the past 30 years. What makes this book a standout is that it concentrates on Dean's death as opposed to his life. It provides very detailed information re: his last ride and how his death and the subsequent hoopla surrounding it was handled. It also provides quite a lot of previously unpublished material in regard to the period immediately before and after his death. The author has saved us all a lot of pain and irritation by researching this material in a factual and precise manner.
What makes this book a positive departure from the other Dean book is that there is no psychological stuff about Dean's tortured youth or attempts to affix a death wish to him, just a lot of good hard facts. Joe Friday couldn't do a better job in that area.
The best part of this book? It sticks to the truth and makes for an interesting read.

Beath makes the death of James Dean a very personal experience for the reader. This is not a book one reads and forgets - the reader has participated in the author's passionate search for the substance behind the tragedy and the reader is changed. I'm ready for more from this author.

If you have a child like mine who will quite happily spend hours discussing Doctor Who's pasts, present and futures, then this tome is a perfect way to satisfy their hunger for all things Whovian while literally buying you a moment's peace.

As another reviewer has noted, this encyclopedia focuses virtually exclusively on the adventures of the "new" Doctors from the series reboot, covering Eccleston's single season and Tennant's first two. It's very handsomely illustrated with numerous color photos and packed with short and pithy entries and character biographies. It is NOT an episode guide, so be certain you know that you're getting a quick reference manual and not detailed synopses and reviews.

There's a lot of material here, but a surprising amount of it smacks of filler. For instance, every song that was ever heard for more than three pico-seconds in any episode is included here--along with separate entries for the band or singer. And in some cases, for the composer. So, we get to read a bit about Jeff Lynne--because he wrote an ELO song that was featured in one episode. That's...just a little oddly obsessive to me. Where do you draw the line? Why not comment on the brand of spark plugs used by a taxi the Doctor rode in?

Another minor annoyance is that the author seems to pay overwhelming attention to two animated episodes ("Attack of the Graske" and "The Infinite Quest") that are probably not canonical and that are not very likely to be known to American viewers. I mean--sometimes it seems that every third or fourth entry pertains to one of these. It's a bit frustrating.

The wealth of photos makes this a pretty good value, but overall this encyclopedia just seems a bit lightweight and has a lot of questionable entries. Try to get someone to buy it for you as a gift.

This book is a great companion to the first three seasons of the Doctor's return. Almost anything you can think of from Eccelston's debut in Season 1's Rose to the end of Season 3's Last of the Time Lords is in here. As well as some things in between like the Tardisodes and Attack of the Graske.

The introduction does make apolgies for not including references to the Christmas 2007 Titanic episode and Donna's return in the Season 4 opener Partners in Crime, but they have to draw the line somewhere I guess!

All the photos are full color and there's at least one on every page making this book a real delight even if you just flip through a few pages to find something visually interesting.

It's also packed with the kind of trivia only the devoted would know by heart.

If you follow Dr. Who the last 3 seasons and like to know more about the characters then this is the book for you. My kids love looking at this and having me remind them of the different characters and such.

I found that this book is a must-read for both die-hard fans of Doctor Who, and people who are new to the series. I am a die-hard fan, and there were things in here that I didn't even know. The pictures are excellent, also.

I picked this book by using the "pick a random book with your eyes closed" method at the library.

For an American this book can be tough to start. The "poor talk" that Lovelace used throughout the book can be a little tough to get through, but don't give up! It is too good of a book to let one minor flaw stop you. (And a little secret: As the book progresses, Lovelace seems to have trouble keeping up the "poor talk" and becomes a lot smoother to read).

Lovelace's use of description is almost without comparison. He has Hugo's gift of description without having to use chapters to describe a building, person, or general area. His one line descriptions hit so dead on that you almost feel as if you are standing in "the Hill".

The story itself is also an amazing read, but most reviewers seemed to have missed the biggest purpose behind this book (whether Lovelace intended it or not, it is the overall theme). The major theme is that we all judge people without knowing them fully. We hold people back because we don't like the partial picture we are presented. We never take the time to learn the whole story. As you read the book, you think to yourself how you want to be better. You don't want to judge. You vow to yourself that you will stop, when suddenly the last paragraph hits and you realize, "Wow, I am STILL judging without the whole story, maybe it's not possible to stop." If the last paragraph did not make you think this, I suggest you reread the book and think about each character and how you feel about them.

Overall, an amazing read. Lovelace writes an amazing book, with the only flaw being that the "poor talk" seems a little forced. As the book progressed, he seemed to get into a more comfortable area.

Definitely Recommended!

Don't get me wrong I enjoyed this story but in all honesty I thought it was a GOOD but not GREAT story. A little too stiff for me. I did like the characters but at times the reading got a little too much like work just trying to get to another part of the story that was a little more fun and not as much work. [I think I said that right], nothing personal just one reader's opinion.

The "double vision" of Caribbean life is portrayed in the life of Aldrick who is caught between generational and cultural conflicts. And all of this during Carnival! The Dragon Can't Dance was almost prophetic in the depiction of the commercialization of Mas. Change always brings choice and Lovelace's characters highlight the necessary pain that comes with any decision.

In Earl Lovelace, without exception, we have the Master Storyteller of the Caribbean. Even years after its publication (1979 and 1998), "Dragon" remains peerless as an authentic, forceful voice of postcolonial Trinidadian society. Nowhere else have the intricacies of carnival been more profoundly explored and dissected than here by the artful mastery of prose in this defining portrait. Lovelace's stinging critique of race and politics is poignant and luminously presented. With heavy symbolism and sensitivity, the story reaches successfully beyond Caribbean life to touch the larger human condition itself. The central figure of Aldrick (whose "mission" is to performa the Dragon dance during carnival) embodies a entire people's frustrations and aspirations. This is an unexaggerated powerful tale by one my absolute favorite Caribbean writers. This story is timeless and one of Lovelace's best creations, far surpassing, in my opinion, his other wonderful novels like "The Wine of Astonishment", "The Schoolmaster", or even "Salt." Anyone sincerely interested in Caribbean culture and literature will find this novel indispensable reading.

Alan Cambeira
Author of AZUCAR! The Story of Sugar (a novel)

I loved this book so much that I recommended it to all my family and friends. Earl Lovelace captured everything that Carnival means for Trini people. The characters are so real that the faces that I chose to see them as, were faces of people that I actaully knew in my family. LOL. This novel will make all readers want to take a trip to Trinidad and experience life there. This book is just too sweet for words!!!!