Giants of Art & Culture - Mikhail Baryshnikov (Hardcover)

~ Bruce S. Glassman (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-One of the greatest dancers of the 20th century, Baryshnikov is revealed as a complex, somewhat solitary, and restless spirit whose personal life has been as complicated and volatile as his professional life. Glassman covers his subject's childhood, his emergence as a star in Leningrad's Kirov Ballet Company, his defection to the West, and his dazzling career with the American Ballet Theatre as well as other creative endeavors. Some of the behind-the-scenes jealousies, rivalries, and politics that occur in famous companies are exposed. The author also touches on Baryshnikov's often-tumultuous personal relationships. For those readers with some knowledge about well-known ballets, the information on how critics reviewed them or how Baryshnikov chose to interpret them provides unique insights into the world of dance. However, those unfamiliar with Swan Lake, Giselle, or other more contemporary works may not be able to appreciate the full importance of these interpretations within the dance world. This is a readable and balanced portrait of Baryshnikov. Many of the black-and-white photos are disappointingly dark, but a few of them do capture this dancer's extraordinary artistry.

Carol Schene, Taunton Public Schools, MA

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

Born in the Soviet Union, Mikhail Baryshnikov was a teenager when he discovered his gift as a dancer at a nearby ballet school. He soon joined the Kirov Ballet, but felt restricted by the tight controls of communism in the USSR. In an exciting but dangerous escape, Baryshnikov eventually defected to Canada. In the United States—in addition to continuing his dance career—he became a choreographer, artistic director, and actor.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Blackbirch Press; 1 edition (April 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567115071
• ISBN-13: 978-1567115079
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: No customer reviews yet. Be the first.
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #877,058 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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