5 comments about The Secret Language of Belly Dancing.

1. I liked the style of this book. And you can relate to what she has gone thru as a dancer.



2. I really struggled with this book. It is not well written, with fairly average (OK, bad) grammar, a few instances of incorrect word usage and lots of typos. With the amount of editorial influence in this book, with multiple extracted quotations in the margins of each page, I would have thought they would bother to proofread and copy-edit the material of the book, as well.
   
   It is clear that the author is very passionate about bellydance, which I salute despite disagreeing with many of her viewpoints on various matters. I felt that in a number of instances, she tried using words outside her regular vocab to portray her feelings, or other aspects of bellydance, which gave the prose somewhat of a overbearing, superior tone. I would have liked to see her describe these things in her own words rather than pulling the thesaurus out at every turn.



3. Maria strives to uplift bellydance into an art form with deep roots in history that should be respected, and I think she achieves that. This book is all about the feminine experience and how bellydance can allow you to explore your body's potential and your soul's desire.
   
   At times Maria is very wordy and a tiny bit repetitive, but her message is so earnest that I didn't mind too much. I would have liked to see more concrete examples during the discussion of the symbols (more references to specific moves and what they mean, along with the symbolism).
   
   Overall the book is uplifting and inspires you to dance passionately.



4. My favorite part of this wonderful book was the autobiographical section called 'My Secret Dance'. There, Maria tells her own story. We get a glimpse into the life of a very interesting and courageous woman, and a taste of the kind of dedication it takes to follow one's art.



5. This book loses 5 stars for bad publishing and formatting, and for its sheer verbocity, but gains it all back for vivacious content. Not a primary reference book for dance, but a nice addition to anyone's dance library solely based on the author's intent and the scant few exercises the author prescribes.
   
   Look, I instantly shy away from books that have flotsam photos and illustrations as well as over-fonted re-quotes in the margins as they smack too much of a publisher's interference and attempts to market to those folks who appreciate shiny objects (like me). It also is sad to see autobiographical information taking up more than a few pages in any book that wasn't meant to be an autobiography. I was disappointed to find this book had all of these symptoms of kitsche writing styles and cheap marketing. I blame the publisher, solely and completely. If I could roll this book up like a newspaper and swat the publisher, exclaiming "BAD, BAD PUBLISHER" I would (but security won't let me in the front door anymore).
   
   I was pleasantly surprized to see that Ms. Strova actually listed her research references at the end of each chapter as well as in a full blown bibliography section at the end of the book. Now that is truly impressive and it made me want to actually READ the book instead of just look at the pretty fonts and pictures.
   
   The content was not ordinary at all, and this is its most saving grace. Despite the spotty-but-good attempt to justify her "her"storical assertions, Ms. Strova really, really tries hard to put across the idea that dance is sacred (no longer a marketing ploy to neo-pagans, but a true attempt to reawaken artistic self-expression). In my opinion, she succeeds. Here, this book earns all its stars back.
   
   I found myself "getting it" - now inspired to experiment a bit more beyond the mechanics of belly dance and the choreography of others, this book helps one to actually listen to the rhythm of Life. It inspires dancers and non-dancers alike to be better at recognizing their own, internal rhythms, without being too blunt (I did mention verbocity, but how can one put in words that which is without description otherwise, short of physically being in the room with you and demonstrating it?). Yes, Ms. Strova, I get it. You get waaaay more than 5 stars.
   
   If just for that inspiration, this book is worth every penny.

3 comments about Automated Lighting: The Art and Science of Moving Light in Theatre, Live Performance, Broadcast, and Entertainment.

1. Richard Cadena does it again (enjoyed his first book "Focus on Lighting Technology" and still use it in my Lighting Tech '101' class) with a text that takes the dry and technical, and makes it fresh, even palatable. I've used Richard Cadena's "Automated Lighting" for the last two semesters in my moving lighting class. Students in both semesters have remarked that it is a comprehensive view of "how things work" with the movers; past, present and future. It is also on my must-read book list for graduate students in the MFA lighting program.
   
   Specifically, the chapters on "basic" electricity and datacomm are quite thorough. Whether it was DMX-512/512A, RDM or ACN, Cadena's writing covers them well.
   
   Couple this book with a good hands-on class and you have an excellent initial experience into a much bigger, sometimes complicated world.
   
   I'm grateful to the author for his book and his work in the industry.



2. The book is somewhat well written, but it is more of a history and it has very limted info on how to rig or set up a lighting show, has really no info on what to buy or what to get for a light show, has more info on how the writer played a part of the development of some products, I'd say that this is a waste of money, if one is looking for info on setting up a light show



3. This book is an outstanding resource for anyone involved with Automated Lighting. It covers a wide range of lighting topics, but each with detail and accuracy. A must for anyone just starting to work with autoamtion (especially repairs), but has some great information for old pros as well. While this book has more for technicians than designers, any automation designer may find most of the content useful.

5 comments about Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual (Star Trek Next Generation (Unnumbered)).

1. I first purchased this book back when the series was still in it's early days and was actively being produced and aired on a weekly basis. I sat down with this book after getting home and started reading... and reading... and reading. I couldn't put it down. I was amazed at how in-depth this book was. I was astounded to learn that many of the shipboard systems are based on actual scientific theory and not just some dreamed up "widget" to make it all work together. Sure they took a little license here and there to create devices to work with others but it's done in such a way that you'd actually believe it existed. But from other publications I've seen from Sternbach & Okuda, you would expect nothing else.
   
   Also, As other reviews have stated, later copies of this book my not be as clear or well defined as this one... Make sure you examine before you buy.



2. Tech Manuals are rather dull as they go, but I enjoyed this book. I'm somewhat of a newbie to Star Trek, and indulge in the technical side. Which is why I bought it(not from amazon). I enjoy reading everything in it. I wish it were in full color though.



3. I bought the first book in 1991 and was very well pleased. Several years later, I lost it. I recently saw this one in a search and decided to purchase it. Much to my extreme disappointment, it was not what I was expecting. All of the color was gone and the text within the black ovals was hardly legible. There is a page which is supposed to have a picture of our spiral galaxy on it, it looks more like an ink smudge. The entire book looks like it was copied on a five year old copy machine.
   
   If you're replacing a copy, find one published in 1991 that's in good condition.



4. Love this in my Star Trek collection. All of the technical aspects of the ships. Great find.



5. Highly recommended for freshmen at Star Fleet Academy (and for Trekkers everywhere).
   
   For a couple of years I was a member of a local science fiction society in part just to see if there was any other science fiction comparable in quality to Star Trek (in whatever series, whether The Original Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space 9, Voyager, or Enterprise). The answer is No, Non, Nyet, Nada, Lo. If Star Trek is like graduate school, then most other science fiction is like pre-school. Or if Star Trek is like a blues master, then other science fiction sounds like the noise created by a hip hop "artist."
   
   The attention to detail and the care in presentation of Star Trek are represented very well in this Technical Manual. There are 17 chapters: USS Enterprise Introduction, Spacecraft Structure, Command Systems, Computer Systems, Warp Propulsion Systems, Impulse Propulsion Systems, Utilities and Auxiliary Systems, Communications, Transporter Systems, Science and Remote Sensing Systems, Tactical Systems, Environmental Systems, Crew Support Systems, Auxiliary Spacecraft Systems, USS Enterprise Flight Operations, Emergency Operations, and Conclusion. There is a fine Afterword by Rick Berman, the Executive Producer of Star Trek. There is also an Index and Key to Acronyms, and a list of Units of Measure. Illustrations abound.
   
   The logical consistency and logical extrapolation and creative imagination shown in Star Trek represent human beings at their best and brightest. If you like thinking about the far future, this Technical Manual is for you.

1 comments about Erte's Theatrical Costumes in Full Color.

1. The Russian born fashion and costume designer Romaine de Tirtoff was known as Erte for the simple reason that was the French pronunciation of his initials "R.T." Erte was one of the most prodigious designers of the twentieth century, known for his colorful and audacious Art Deco designs. Even if you do not recall his name, I bet your remember having seen his work before. "Erte's Theatrical Costumes in Full Color" offers 49 plates from 1911 to 1975, with captions, of the work Erte did for theatrical productions, where his imagination was most unfettered and where his popularity lasted considerably longer than it did in the real world of high fashion. Erte was designing costumes for Mata Hari way back in 1913 and was still designing costumes and sets for a production of the opera "Der Rosenkavalier" in 1980. From a worshipper of Horus and the wife of Russian boyar to Aladdin and Faust, Erte displayed a wide array of exotic and historical styles in his dazzling costumes. The only real complaint with this collection is that there are only 49 gorgeous plates of some of his most stunning creations.

4 comments about The Wadsworth Anthology of Drama, Brief Edition.

1. This Anthology's shortcomings in no way reflect poorly on the material in the book, but rather in what the editors chose to exclude. All the pieces (and there are many) come with excellent background information, interesting and relevant theory, and most importantly source text from many of the relevant playwrights, including original essays by Brecht and Artaud. The anthology includes many of the classics, and where it proves itself especially useful is in its inclusion of sociopolotical plays such as "Information for Foreigners" and "Los Vendidos", contemporary rewrites such as "Hamletmachine" and the clever pairing of the classic "Tempest" with the lesser known searing colonization commentary "A Tempest" by Cesaire. But totally lacking is treatment of the entire Roman and Medieval periods, as well as the post-Shakespeare pre-Ibsen area. The anthology remains an invaluable tool for survey courses (I used it for a Intro Theatre Studies Class) but perhaps is too limited for more specific Theatre applications.



2. I would first like to mention that this book has stunning supplementary materials (theory, performance discussions, etc.) that make the book well worth using for a general survey of Western dramatic history.
   But it is what is excluded or glossed that makes this collection fall somewhat short. I teach out of this book for a major university (it is the required text for multiple other classes, so it is requested that I use this text as well.) While it does cover many major and significant periods, the Romans are entirely ignored and non-western theatre is seemingly thrown in as a sidethought... leading many of my students to question whether there is really a worthwhile eastern theatre tradition. When teaching Greeks and Renaissance drama, it is critical to understand the approach that the Romans took to the theatre. Even a Senecan tragedy would have enlivened the "Classical" section of the anthology.
   I do understand that not ALL periods can be given equal weight, but by disrgarding periods and regions (or even worse, by giving them such short shrift that nobody even considers them beyond a passing comment) our students are presented an incomplete history of theatre. I must order a number of other texts to fill these holes in the historical timeline.
   That being said, what this anthology does include is well documented and supported by appropriate texts. As I mentioned, it is a good basic introduction to theatre history and theory (and is possibly the strongest out there for this task) and should deserve 4 stars, but the 3 stars reflects my reservations above.



3. I read so much about the anthology, but nowhere did I find what plays were actually presented, for those interested here is the list: Orestia, Agamemnon, Liberation Bearers, Eumenides, Oedipos King, Medea, Lysistrata, Matsukaze, Chushingura, Second Shepards' Pageant, Everyman, Doctor Faustus, Hamlet, The Tempest, Life is a Dream, Tartuffe, Phaedra, The Rover, Loa DIvine Narcissusm Recruiting Officer, Doll House, Father, Cherry Orchard, Major Barbara, Six Characters..., Mother Courage, Endgame, Homecoming, Hamletmachine, Cloud Nine, Our Country's Good, Trifles, Hairy Ape, Glass Menagerie, Dutchman, Vedidos, True West, Fences, M Butterfly, Angels in America I, Fires in the Mirror, America Play, Lady Aoi, My Beatles, A Tempest, Information for Foreigners, Death and King's Horseman, Translations, Gangsters, No Sugar, Dry Lips Oghta..., Valley Song. On top of it all, there are incredible and insightful critical reviews.



4. I had to buy this book for my dramatic lit classes in school and fell in love with it. It covers plays from the early Greeks to modern plays. Before every play there is a bio of the writer that outlines their history and how they came to write the play you are about to read. At the beginning of each section there is an essay about that time period. It talks about what was happening then, the different writing styles that evolved, the layout of theatres and how they changed and the different prominent writers of that time. The book also includes many pictures from different productions of the plays in the book. It shows pictures with traditional stagings and also updated or stylized stagings. Pretty much all of the plays also have at least one critical essay included as well. This is a great assortment of plays with lots of good background info to get you going. Whether you are just looking for a good collection pf plays to read or are a drama student looking to broaden your play collection for scene study and monologue work this is the book for you.

4 comments about The Complete Voice and Speech Workout: 74 Exercises for Classroom and Studio Use.

1. This book is standard nothing special and aimed at children who need to learn to speak properly that's all. Like most books in this genre you don't leave feeling that you and tackle any songs as the exercises are weak or usually lack of them. Its nothing but poetry and rhymes What I would recommend is `an introduction to singing with style' I came across this book quite by accident on amazon.co.uk and it has helped me a lot. It goes into great depth about how to develop a great singing voice, vocal projection, vocal clarity and this book even tells you what diet to avoid and what food is good for healthy living it's amazing! If you're looking for vocal stamina then this book has it! `An introduction to singing with style' covers most styles and the emphasis is on vocal tone scales and breathes control you won't need a singing teacher either as you are left in control over your own progress



2. I'm a PT and got this book for ideas for breath support activities. It has a lot of good ideas for older children that are high functioning (I would say cog. level of about 4yrs+.



3. A great book with practical exercises useful for singers, as well as actors. Concisely and well described, and fun, too!



4. This is an good book to use to practice intonation, pronunciation and articulation. I actually use this book when teaching phonetics in my speech courses.

5 comments about The Actor Speaks: Voice and the Performer.

1. 
   Ms. Rodenburg is one of the most wise and trusted teachers in the theater today. Her books are a veritable map of how to have and maintain a free voice - that which any good actor yearns to have, especially doing 8 shows a week as in the regionals or on Broadway. The books are the next best thing to being in the classroom with her - something every actor should experience at least once. Whether you are just beginning your acting studies, or in the thick of a professional career, this book will be an asset to you.



2. Patsy's work I think is fantastic. Patsy learnt from Cecily Berry, and Clifford Turner which laid her foundation down for her work.
   
   She is very thorugher, and so thorugher I am still working my way through it (since last year!) So if you want something quick, fast and easy this book isnt for you.
   Although I am not an actor , I bought the book to help me work with my voice so I can give better speeches.
   Patsy covers everything I need to know, and although It is taking me some time I am improving.I think it is extremly challenging at times because some of her work ask you to do a lot of exercises . And you really need to make the time to do them all. I was reccomended to this book after completing a short actors course in Sydney by the voice director. And although I was a little skeptical at first, after all why buy an acting book to help with speech work? But the same principles apply.
   For speakes, actors, performers, etc this is A MUST to have on your book shelf. Buy it and continuelly use it.
   You can not afford to pass this book up for the sake of your career!



3. The book is useful only to actors because it contains too many exercises and details on voice production and support. It's very complicated and very large. However as the actors said, it's a bible for them. Buy it only if you are an actor...



4. I highly recomend this book for budding young actors, it is filled with great tips and techniques. I loved it.



5. The Actor Speaks is a practical guide to acting. It tells you what to do with your instrument. It is a great book for any performer. However it is purely practically, it doesn't get you out of playing Hamlet perfectly in the livingroom. To prepare for the real industry outside the practical I also recommend picking up "My Fractured Life" by Rikki Lee Travolta. It gives a very detailed and graphic look at real life as actors trying to make it in modern society and some tips on getting luck to play in your favor.

5 comments about Step-By-Step Ballet Class: The Official Illustrated Guide.

1. Everything is explained thoroughly and well illustrated. Its definitely a good book to have if you're starting ballet or getting back to dancing (like me).
   A must have for every parent, student and teacher.



2. I really enjoyed reading about the different levels and what they encompassed. I had been through these levels but couldn't recall what each offered. As an instructor, it was a great review.



3. This is great for the first time dance teacher to break down things by age. Super if you are having a time trying to remember what the basics were! Great book with pictures :)



4. Good illustrations and text especially for the beginner. It was too basic for my daughter who has had 5 years of ballet classes. I recommend it for the 1-2 year ballet student.



5. Since I come from a family that moves around a lot, sometimes it's hard to find a serious quality dance studio. This book was a tremendous help in keeping me toned and in gear. It gives me the help I need to reach the height of my aptitude.

No comments about Invitation to Public Speaking.

2 comments about Gypsy.

1. I agree with everything in the previous review, especially the Russell versus Midler versions of the movie. This is a wonderful show, and I am the lucky woman who gets to play Rose in my local theatre's production. I bought this book because Tams-Witmark sends out "sides" for each role -- a small book that includes only the character's lines with just a few words of the cue before. Having the full script is a great help, but be aware that this book is slightly different from the version used by Tams-Witmark. I'm marking the changes in my full script and using it, though, because it's much more convenient.

   Do get the memoir Gypsy by Gypsy Rose Lee. It's amazing to see how much of this show was taken directly from the pages of her autobiography. Rose and Herbie were somewhat romanticized in the show, as was Tessie the stripper and many other aspects of the story -- hey this is Broadway! There can't be *too* much misery! But the cow really did come to Rose in a dream and really did get them on the Orpheum Circuit. They really did bleach a gaggle of girls' hair blonde. Both books are great reads.




2. I am a student in Chicago's New Tuners Workshop, an organization devoted to the writing of new works of musical theatre. In our first year, we are required to read GYPSY. Our artistic director, John Sparks, considers GYPSY to be one of the finest book musicals ever written.

   The lead part of the Mama Rose is often considered the musical theatre equivalent of Lady MacBeth or Hedda Gabler. Lucky is the woman who gets to play her. Three women have played her on Broadway: Ethel Merman (in the original production), Angela Lansbury (in a 1970's revival) and Tyne Daly (in a 1990's revival). Lansbury and Daly both won Tony awards for their perfomances. Merman lost in 1960 to Mary Martin in "The Sound Music." She was robbed!

   Musical highlights of the show include the character defining "Some People," the desperate "Ev'rything's Coming up Roses" and the tour-de-force finale, "Mama's Turn." A majority of the songs are Mama Rose's, the result, apparently, of Ethel Merman's ego. Nevertheless, it works brilliantly.

   If you are looking for a version of this show on video, AVOID the Rosalind Russell version from the early sixties, in favor of the recent Bette Middler version. Not only is the Middler version more faithful to the original play, Bette does her own singing (Lisa Kirk sang for Russell) and her performance rivals Merman's.

   If you love musicals, you will love this book. Read it yesterday!