Fernando Bujones: An Autobiography [Hardcover]

Fernando Bujones (Author), Zeida Cecilia-Mendez (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2009

Beginning with his Cuban childhood in Miami, this autobiography of famed dancer Fernando Bujones covers his life from his years as a gifted student at the School of American Ballet to his 13-year career as principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre (ABT). Among these recollections are his incredible rise as the youngest principal dancer with ABT, how he became the first American dancer to win the gold medal at the Varna International Ballet Competition, and his time spent in the tumultuous years following Mikhail Baryshnikov's takeover of ABT. Bujones took an abrupt departure from his beloved company and subsequently found superstar status with his international career. He continued to touch the lives of those around him—as well as those who watched his performances—until his unexpected death in 2005.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“The overriding quality that leaps out from this book is the total honesty of Fernando Bujones. He pulls no punches even though he avoids sensationalism and gossip . . . His story is like a movie script on the theme of the American Dream.”  —Mike Dixon, Dance Europe

“The greatest American male dancer of his generation.”  —Anna Kisselgoff, The New York Times

“Fernando Bujones . . . American-trained premier danseur whose exuberance and technical excellence in roles ranging from classical to contemporary have stimulated audiences around the world to deeper insight into the beauty and joy of dance.”  —Lucia Chase, founding artistic director, American Ballet Theatre

About the Author

Fernando Bujones made his professional dancing debut in 1970 with the Andre Eglevsky Ballet Company and joined the American Ballet Theatre two years later. There, at the age of 19, he became the youngest principal dancer in ABT history. His dancing career would last for decades, taking him around the world and partnering him with the top ballerinas of the 20th century. Zeida Cecilia-Mendez was Fernando Bujones’s coach from the beginning, while starting a second career in the visual arts. She is a former script supervisor, writer-producer-director of documentaries and commercials, and a promotions and marketing director for the Miami affiliate of Univision Network. She lives in Doral, Florida.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 342 pages
• Publisher: Higher Educ. & Technology Consultants; 1ST edition (May 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615284965
• ISBN-13: 978-0615284965
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,631,755 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a mesmerizing journey through a fantastic life, November 8, 2009

By 

Ginny (Miami) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fernando Bujones: An Autobiography (Hardcover)

This is one of those books that you do not want to put down, and that you want to go back to over again. It is an amazing story of the will to suceed, the triumph that came with it, and of how dreams can come true. Even though Fernando has been the greatest ballet dancer of his generation, he was a very sincere and down-to-earth man; and you get this from this book - the true essence of this great man. His life was one fantastic voyage and in this book you are right there beside him. You don't have to be a ballet lover to enjoy this book. Having known Fernando, and having lost him, this book keeps him with us.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Book, July 20, 2009

By 

Olih Poet - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fernando Bujones: An Autobiography (Hardcover)

The story setting is fascinating, it includes Cuba, USA, Europe, Brazil and Asia. It's a true odyssey around the world showing how a young boy living in Cuba became one of the most celebrated Ballet Dancers in the world.

I especially enjoyed the chapters about the escape from Cuba, the Varna Competition and the Orlando Ballet Theater. The Bujones' honesty is another important feature in the book, he describes the events with the sincerity of a boy, with the passion of an artist and the vision and commitment of a producer. So it's easy to surprise yourself "wearing his shoes" and be mesmerized by the sequence of events. This makes the book highly readable.

I just read a review from Dance Europe (july, 09) that I totally agree and helps to describe the book: "his (Fernando Bujones) story is like a movie script on the theme of the American Dream".

I strongly recommend this book not only to Ballet fans but everyone interested in how the human passion, dedication and discipline can triumph over all obstacles.

5.0 out of 5 stars An Amazing Book!, March 29, 2011

By 

Kathie Sigler - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fernando Bujones: An Autobiography (Kindle Edition)

This is a wonderful book, telling the story of an amazing, world famous, ballet dancer. It takes the reader from his early childhood in Cuba, through his outstanding accomplishments in dance all over the world. The book was started by Fernando Bujones and his long-time coach and mentor, Zeida Cecilia-Mendez, two years before his unexpected and sudden death at age 50. Zeida finished the book by adding "remembrances" from Fernando's partners in ballet, as well as reviews by some of ballet's most regarded writers. The book also tells Fernando's personal story, struggles, and triumphs. I found it so interesting I could not put it down. It is now available in print and also electronically for the Kindle or iPad (with Kindle app) readers. I would recommend it highly!