Books for Ballet Lovers Part 1 Non Fiction

Waiting To Dance, pastel by Zoe James-Williams www.zoejameswilliams.com

Books for Ballet Lovers

Being a ballet fan I have read and have been given all types of ballet books so I thought I would make a categorised list from my bookshelf and wish list. Please feel free to add suggestions that I can add to the list.

 

Ballet Biographies

No Way Home by Carlos Acosta

Superb rags-to-riches story of one of the world’s greatest dancers, from his difficult beginnings living in poverty in the backstreets of Cuba to his astronomical rise to international stardom.

Harper Perennial ISBN 978-0007250783

 

Rudolf Nureyev, The Life by Judith Kavanagh

A fascinating biography of one of the worlds most famous ballet dancers. It covers his highs and lows and you will laugh and cry. A real work of love. 

 Penguin ISBN- 978-0141029696

Daria Klimentova, The Agony and Ectasy by Daria Klimentova and Graham Watts

Autobiography of Daria Klimentova Senior Principal at English National Ballet.  Daria had forged a remarkable partnership with the young Russian Principal, Vadim Muntagirov,

 Metro BooksISBN 978-1857828832

 Margot Fonteyn by Meredith Daneman

The extraordinary life of one of Britains most loved prima ballerina's.

 Penguin ISBN 978-0140165302

Dancer in Wartime by Gillian Lynne

Biography of a young dancer working her way through the ranks in WW2 alonside such names as Fonteyn and Moira Shearer. I thought this was a delight. Very insightful and fascinating.

Vintage ISBN 978-0099555773

Bloomsbury Ballerina by Judith Mackrell

The extraordinary story of Russian ballerina  Lydia Lopokova who lived a long and remarkable life.

 Orion ISBN- 978-0753825785

Mao's Last Dancer by Li Cunxin

Told in his own distinctive voice, this is Li's inspirational story of how he came to be Mao's last dancer, and one of the world's greatest ballet dancers.

Penguin ISBN: 978-0141040226

The Royal Ballet 75 Years by Zoe Anderson

In 1931, Ninette de Valois started a ballet company with just six dancers. Within twenty years, the Royal Ballet was established as one of the world's great companies. This book presents a critical account of its first 75 years, tracing the company's growth, and its great cultural importance.
Faber and Faber ISBN 978-0571227969

Ballet in Coffee Table Books/ Photography Books

Pas de deux, The Royal Ballet in Pictures

I love this book, its got some gorgeous photos off and on stage of principal Royal Ballet dancers.
 

Invitation Sylvie Guillem

Photographs of the ballet phenomenon that is Mademoiselle Non!

 ISBN-13: 978-2702207000

 

Darcy Bussell by Darcy Bussell

This book of stunning images chronicles Darcey Bussell's amazing career on the stage.

Ballet Russe

Dancers Behind The Scenes by Andrei Uspenki

Royal Ballet dancer Andrej Uspenski has a unique perspective on photographic composition of dance imagery, as well as unrivalled access not only to the Royal Ballet's productions, but also to the dancers who perform in them. This gives the reader an exclusive insight in to the Royal Ballet's work. DANCERS includes exclusive, backstage photographs, as well as a number of breathtaking images taken from the wings during live stage performances, making this a unique photographic record, perfect for all ballet fans. Some amazing photos.

Oberon Books ISBN  978-1849433884

 

Natalia Osipova, Becoming a Swan By Andrei Uspenski

Haven't seen this yet but I am sure it a beautiful book and a must for fans of Osipova

ISBN 978-1783190225

Diaghilev and The Golden Age of Ballet Russes by Jane Pritchard

A sumptous book charting the rise and fall of Diaghilev and his legendary ballet company Ballet Russes 

V&A Publishing  ISBN 978-1851776139

Ballet in Art Books

 

Laura Knight at the Theatre by Timothy Wilcox

 Wonderful book of the first femail RA and her passion for ballet and theatre

 Unicorn Press Ltc ISBN-13: 978-1906509798

Degas and The Ballet: Picturing Movement by Richard Kendall

Gorgeous book to go with a past exhibition at the RA. Quite a tombe but well worth the read and some wonderful paintings and drawings included

 ISBN-13: 978-1905711680

Degas Drawings

 Lovely PB book for those who admired Degas drawings of ballet dancers

Dover Publications, ISBN:9780486406985

Sir William Russell Flint by Ralph Lewis (Out of Print)

Features his paintings of ballet dancers and Moira Shearer who stared in the Red Shoes

 

Reference Books for Ballet

 The Ballet Companion: A Dancer's Guide to the Technique, Traditions and Joys of Ballet by Eliza Gaynor Mindon

A great reference book that covers all aspects of ballet
Simon and Schuster ISBN 978-0743264075