My daughter is in her 4th year of ballet with a superb instructor, originally from England, who teaches the Royal Academy of Dancing method. Reading this book satisfied a hunger for detailed information stemming from the plethura of questions that I have had regarding my daughter's training through the years. It covers basics on everything from detailed costume/uniform tips & instructions, to being a superb treatise on technique, vocabulary and practice in class. The book is illustrated with incredible line drawings of technique which better equip me to help my daughter fine-tune her skills (learned in class) at home. The introduction by Joan Lawson is not only educational, but inspiring. This is a MUST HAVE BOOK for any dancer and his/her parents and I am grateful to my daughter's instructor for turning us on to it. My only regret about this book is that we did not find it sooner!

First of all, it should be pointed out that this excellent manual adhers to the principles of the Royal Ballet School in London. Many different aspects are being dealt with, for instance "The importance of stance", "Comments on the teaching of boys", "Physical factors". One very useful chapter is called "The development of children with youthful skeletal age". This book is aimed at teachers of beginners and intermediate students and they ought to study it carefully. It is very amply illustrated, the photographs are posed for by children of the appropriate age. One of the final chapters "The build-up of a class" in which each step is painstakingly explained, should be read, re-read and then read again by the teacher in order to convey the idea of perfect execution to the pupil.

This book is a short overview of ballet technique that was translated from the Russian by Joan Lawson. It addresses strictly the techniques behind partnering in ballet, the famous pas de deux, and is a good source of information for the dancers who need hints and sound suggestions on executing some of these difficult movements. It could also be read profitably by biomechanicians studying the physics of ballet, and by anyone who wants to appreciate more what is involved in the actual execution of pas de deux. It has many illustrations that are quite good actually (and are not stick figures).

Part 1 covers the basic holds in supported adage, holds with two hands on the waist, turns (including promenade, revolve, and pirouettes), falling poses and positions using two hands, hand holds, supported adage using falls into poses and positions, holds with one hand, supported adage into and falling positions and pose.

Part 2 covers the more difficult area of lifts in the air, and discusses little jumps and small lifts to the level of the chest or shoulder, jumps holding the girl with both hands on her waist, jumps with a lift from two hands using various holds, jumps with one-hand holds, small lifts, half turns with a throw into the air, jumps into the boy's arms, grand elevation with lifts on to the chest and shoulders, jumps on to the chest and shoulder, lifts and holds in grand elevation, lifts in a fixed position, lifts with fixed poses on the fullest stretch of the boy's arms, and throwing the girl into the air with and without a change of pose.

I purchased this book for a dime at a library sale, expecting very little. It turned out to be an absolutely delightful read. It's well written, with crisp British dialogue. I searched for her other books after reading this and wasn't disappointed

While the premise of this book is interesting, I found the protagonist, Loretta Lawson, unappealing and character-less, and was confused by the anti-American sentiment and blatant stereotyping displayed throughout the book. The various plots within the book seem disconnected, as though one has had to read previous Loretta Lawson mysteries to know what is going on. An odd tie-in at the end to a previous love affair left me confused. Intellectual snobbism seems to run through the book. References to obscure authors and their work have little to do with the plot, and come across as an excuse to self-aggrandize, rather than adding to the reader's interest. I was very disappointed with this book, as the plot description seemed intriguing, but the characterizations bordered on actively unpleasant.

The Loretta Lawson character was still entertaining, with her misguided attempts to be "feminist" that usually backfire. All was well until the end of the book, when the author unaccountably drags in plot and characters from an earlier book, with no explanation. I can recommend the book for a plane ride or something

A must-read for Loretta Lawson fans and lovers of literary thrillers. True, it helps to have read her previous novels in the series. While "Full Stop" is not the strongest entry (its USA location isn't that enthralling) Joan Smith is an interesting writer, and the series is well worth reading, especially if you are involved in any way with academia and literary criticism.

This is a hack job of work done by better professionals, and is all to be easily found elsewhere in much better presentations.

This book is very helpful for experience teachers only. Budding teachers should consider to get "100 lessons in classical dance" instead.