#3023871 in eBooks 2011-07-22 2011-07-22File Name: B005FWH6KU
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Email to author from Dr. Jerry Duke (posted with permission)By Erica NielsenDear Erica.I just read most of your book and I am impressed with your research. organization. and writing style. It is very comfortable to read and covers a variety of folk dance styles. I have read many folk dance books. This is one of the best.Jerry Duke. Ph.D.. retired Professor of Dance Ethnology and former Chair of the Dance Department at San Francisco State University0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Excellent!By Catherine BennettGiven as a gift. Excellent!3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A mirror of American social lifeBy R HoustonNot the usual dance "cookbook." Ericas book relates what we know as folk dancing to the larger American dance scene and. for those who can see it. to American social life. Her book will surprise and teach you. no matter how long or how widely you have danced.Erica conducted wide-ranging research into primary and secondary historical sources. She thereby firmly grounded the folk dance movement in the context of the 19th and 20th century physical education movement. the playgrounds and recreation movement. Henry Fords dance revival movement. the womens education movement. and the waves of immigration that enriched Americas shores.Fast forward 25 years: Erica also describes the splintering of the folk dance movement into square dance. contra dance. Balkan dance. and other specializations. just as American society has splintered and specialized.People naturally and frequently ask us. "Where did folk dancing come from? When did folk dancing start?" Erica has provided the most comprehensive answer to those questions. yet.--The Society of Folk Dance Historians (sofdh at org)
