Asheville; known for its architectural diversity and intriguing Art Deco style; has been fortunate in attracting brilliant architects who; with imaginative foresight and design expertise; have created lasting testaments in brick and stone. Local architectural enthusiast Richard Hansley recounts the history behind dozens of Asheville�s most prominent buildings and historical neighborhoods in Asheville�s Historic Architecture. Discover how Douglas Ellington; Richard Sharp Smith; James Vester Miller and Tony Lord influenced this busy metropolis; as landmarks like the Jackson Building; the Grove Park Inn and the Art Deco City Building were constructed along the city�s thriving streets. These buildings have stood the test of time and remain as breathtaking in concept and appearance today as when first completed.
#1247365 in eBooks 2013-07-09 2013-07-09File Name: B00XRCXEFG
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Most vivid accounts of legendary dancers in the Imperial Ballet eraBy Ivy LinBallets Magic Kingdom is definitely one of the few dance critic volumes that is a must-read for balletomanes (the others are Arlene Croces great series of books and Edwin Denbys collected writings). Volynsky was a Jewish writer in St. Petersburg during the last years of the Imperial Ballet era. He saw Mathilde Kschessinskaya; Anna Pavlova; Olga Spessivtseva; Tamara Karsavina and other legendary names dance. His descriptions of them are vivid and illuminating. For instance he says that Mathilde Kschessinskayas feet had "almost no arch" but that she wowed the crowds with effortless "double and triple turns" and "the most difficult cabrioles." A female dancer dancing cabrioles? Even today that implies a dancer of remarkable strength and virtuosity. His favorite dancer was Anna Pavlova. His description: "Anna Pavlova has a phenomenal arch; which she almost dares not bend entirely when she lifts herself on pointe. If she were to extend it; shed break her foot."Volynsky is like many balletomanes fiercely opinionated. For instance he loathed the "revolutionary" ballets of Mikhail Fokine. He also loathed the modern dance movement of Isadora Duncan but praised Duncans "lovely artistry." He follows up with this paean to Duncans charisma: "Duncan is beautiful in the purity of her emotions; which inspire the viewer more rapidly than any other more perfect form of art." He was a fierce protector of Petipa and the purity of academic classical ballet.The second half of the book is devoted to Volynskys "The Book of Exaltations: The ABCs of Classical Dance." Think it sounds boring? Its not. Volynsky applies his voluminous knowledge of Greek classical culture to create the most vivid description about the basic structure of classical ballet. His essays on turnout; posture; croise vs. efface; are models not only of dance writing but of descriptive writing. Volynsky is knowledgable; passionate; opinionated; and a great writer. His book is a must-have.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Absolutely splendid!By CA MomI am so thrilled with this book that I want to kiss the translators hands. The deep thinker; dance critic; art historian; AND ballet pedagogue Volynsky? Writings during a crucial period in Russian and ballet history? In English? Too good to be true... If only ballet would be taken so seriously today. It should be. It can withstand the intellectual rigor.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Needed MoreBy SedulousNeeded more interpretation by compiler
