Let's Dance: Learn to Swing, Foxtrot, Rumba, Tango, Line Dance, Lambada, Cha-Cha, Waltz, Two-Step, Jitterbug and Salsa With Style, Elegance and Ease [Hardcover]

Paul Bottomer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 10, 1998

Step-by-step lessons from the basics of the Foxtrot to the nuances of the Argentine Tango are presented in detailed description and over 1300 informative full-color photographs, illustrations and diagrams. Beginners and advanced dancers alike will find the lessons easy, fun and a novel way to spend time with new partners, add spice to mature relationships or find a new dance mate.

This book covers an immense selection of styles for every kind of music from the Electric Slide, the Hustle and the Chicken Walk to the Viennese Waltz, the Slow Foxtrot and the Modern Tango. Specific dance moves like Spot Turns, Hip Twists and Feather Steps will make any couple an instant sensation on the dance floor.

Full of footprint diagrams, style tips, music suggestions and hints on getting started, this big book has everything that you need to explore the exhilarating world of ballroom and club dancing.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Learn to Swing, Jitterbug, Rumba, Tango, Line Dance, Lambada, Cha-Cha, Waltz, Two-Step, Foxtrot and Salsa with Style, Grace and Ease.

Imagine a professional dance course in your own living room! These fun and easy-to-follow lessons from Paul Bottomer, international dance champion, will make you and your partner the image of confidence, grace and style on the dance floor.

Whether you're just getting started or have already spun, turned and dipped many nights away, this unique compendium teaches you all the basic steps and the most dramatic advanced moves: from hot Latin rhythms to classic ballroom dances to hip swing combinations.

Step-by-step photographs of professional dancers lead the way, accompanied by foot-print diagrams and easy-to-follow directions. Each move is perfectly illustrated so you can just look, learn and effortlessly follow along.

In a couple of quick and fun nights of practice, anyone can pick up the right dance for any event: from salsa for a night at the hottest Latin club and line dancing for a country western event to the waltz for a formal wedding.

Tips, dance history and style points help refine your understanding and enjoyment of the dances before you even step on the dance floor,

From the Back Cover

Imagine A Professional Dance Course In Your own Living Room!

Whether you're just getting started or have already spun, turned and dipped many nights away this unique compendium teaches you all the basic steps and the most dramatic advanced moves for every popular style of music. Each dance step is perfectly illustrated so you can just look, learn and effortlessly follow along.

- Step-by-step photographs of professional dancers lead the way

- Footprint diagrams guide you through specific moves

- With just a little practice, you and your partner will have the confidence and style to be a sensation on the dance floor.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers (January 10, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579120466
• ISBN-13: 978-1579120467
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 9.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #983,456 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #16 in Books > Arts & Photography > Performing Arts > Dance > Ballroom

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good complement for beginning international dancers, November 7, 2001

By 

P. Wu - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Let's Dance: Learn to Swing, Foxtrot, Rumba, Tango, Line Dance, Lambada, Cha-Cha, Waltz, Two-Step, Jitterbug and Salsa With Style, Elegance and Ease (Hardcover)

Many of the dances taught in this book are international style. If you plan to dance in the USA, you should know that social dancing is mainly American style for beginners.

The book is richly illustrated with photos. However, the angle of the photos changes randomly. So if you see a dance couple facing different directions in consecutive photos, maybe they have turned, or maybe the photographer moved. You have to read the accompanying text to tell.

I think this book is a good complement for beginning to advance-beginnning international dancers. You cannot completely rely on the book to learn techniques because while it does touches on them somewhat, it mostly concentrates on dance patterns. It will give you a rough idea of what a particular step looks like and give you the name of the step. If you have learned the step before, this would serve as a good review.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A book for the serious student, January 9, 2000

By 

Neil LaFrance (Dighton, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Let's Dance: Learn to Swing, Foxtrot, Rumba, Tango, Line Dance, Lambada, Cha-Cha, Waltz, Two-Step, Jitterbug and Salsa With Style, Elegance and Ease (Hardcover)

Let's Dance is a fairly comprehensive step by step instruction book best for those with some dance lesson experience. Although the footwork diagrams are a little confusing, the narrative and the pictures help to bring it together. The book itself is well designed in the coffee-table style with excellent photography.

Another reviewer mentioned that swing is not mentioned anywhere in the book. Swing is actually part of the chapter on jive and I found it very helpful.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I am very frustrated with this book, April 28, 2000

By 

Federico Selacome - See all my reviews

This review is from: Let's Dance: Learn to Swing, Foxtrot, Rumba, Tango, Line Dance, Lambada, Cha-Cha, Waltz, Two-Step, Jitterbug and Salsa With Style, Elegance and Ease (Hardcover)

I have practiced for several months and then I went to dance, just to find out that most of the info I have read it was all wrong. Especially the tango steps. Sorry for this comment but that is what happened to me.