Blood Memory: An autobiography [Hardcover]

Martha Graham (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1991

"Blood Memory" is the story of Martha Graham, from a difficult childhood in the American West and her "wild" days in the Greenwich Village Follies to her own company that began with only two students. Her views on dance are interspersed with anecdotes about Charlie Chaplin, Louise Brooks, Indira Gandhi, Margot Fonteyn, Woody Allen, the Pope and Madonna including her collaborative relationships with Isamu Noguchi, Halston, Mikhail Baryshnikov, and Louis Horst.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The maven of modern dance's only book, dictated in the months just before her death in 1991 at age 96.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Both of these books come not long after Graham's death in April at the age of 96. In her memoir, the legendary Graham, the leading exponent of contemporary dance, speaks of her remarkable life. She recounts her early apprenticeship with the Denishawn School, her stint as "Art" in the Greenwich Village Follies, and the struggle to form and maintain her own company. Her poetic musings on life and dance, which are at times almost as abstract and powerful as her dance images, were written shortly before her death. She speaks with affection and candor of her friends, lovers, and coworkers, including composers Louis Horst and Aaron Copeland, designers Isamu Noguchi and Halston, and fellow dancers Mikhail Baryshnikov, Rudolf Nureyev, and Dame Margot Fonteyn, as well as many other famous names who have studied "movement" with her. Illustrated with 100 photographs, this memoir is essential to most dance collections. DeMille, Graham's lifelong friend, held off publication of her book until Graham's demise. DeMille's strong writing, combined with her personal knowledge of Graham and all the important players in Graham's life--accompanist/lover Louis Horst, husband Erick Hawkins, competitor Doris Humphrey, etc.--provide insights into the 20th-century American dance world and Graham's life that only a fellow dancer, choreographer, and woman could. Though admiring Graham's accomplishments and recognizing her genius, DeMille is not adulatory. While Graham skims lightly over the surface of her life in Blood Memory , DeMille digs deeply into events and personalities. Dance collections and most large public libraries will want both books. Graham's book was previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 6/15/91.
- Marcia L. Perry, Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield, Mass.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 279 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday; 1st edition (August 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385265034
• ISBN-13: 978-0385265034
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #579,967 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An introduction to a legend, April 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Blood Memory: An Autobiography (Paperback)

This book was an excellent introduction into not only the dance world, but the world of a dancer. I was given the opportunity to read this for a beginning modern dance class in college and I completely enjoyed it. It provides a wonderful view of not only the style of dancing as a textbook would normally do, but provides a lens for the reader to understand what kinds of reasons an incredible woman such as Martha would have for creating her works of art. I highly recommend this book for anyone, not interested in dance even, as it is also a wonderful story. It made a great impact on me and especially in my reasons for creating a piece. I highly recommend this book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars read this book!, February 26, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Blood Memory: An Autobiography (Paperback)

I heartily recommend this autobiography to anyone who loves dance, or simply loves life! Martha's unique sense of humor and her trademark style make this book well worth your while

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a great woman's state of mind, November 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Blood Memory: An Autobiography (Paperback)

Reading this book, I found myself eagerly copying down quote after quote of Martha Graham's philosophy. Although I'm not a dancer, I thoroughly enjoyed hearing Martha Graham's perspective on modern dance, art, and life in general. Moreover, I have great admiration for a woman who has been said to encourage *vagina* envy. You go, girl!