Misha!: The Mikhail Baryshnikov Story (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Treading listlessly over old ground, freelance writer Aria offers a biography of the "Russian superstar Casanova." "Dancing, he has always been the greatest," even though fellow members of Leningrad's Kirov Ballet, the author observes, called the teenaged Baryshnikovshort, stocky and quick"hockey puck." Few new facts emerge, but it is interesting to note that the dancer's film appearances began in 1971 with his debut in the Soviet-made Fiesta , in which he played a "handsome young matador . . . ready to meet his lonely fate." A "genius he was" at the barre, and although financial and artistic turmoil have rocked the American Ballet Theater periodically since Baryshnikov became artistic director in 1980, "Misha has learned about himself. He admits that he's moody and that when he's down he's intolerable, but he says he's working on it." This remains a celebrity portrait, never bursting the bubble of fame to find the man inside it. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

At age 40 Baryshnikov still has a long career ahead of him as choreographer, artistic director of American Ballet Theater, and actor. This biography of the great ballet dancer can therefore really only tell part of the "story." Two earlier books, Nina Alovert's Baryshnikov in Russia ( LJ 12/84) and Gennady Smakov's Baryshnikov: From Russia to the West ( LJ 4/15/81) have focused just on the dancer's early career.-- Ed.) The book relates important events in Baryshnikov's life--his experiences as a young dancer in Russia, and his dizzying number of U.S. dance and acting projects. Baryshnikov's personal side is presented, too, including his much publicized romantic liaisons and commitment to parenting. While the book has little new information or substantial journalistic reporting, it is, nevertheless, a serviceable and straightforward biography for the YA audience.
- Joan Stahl, Enoch Pratt Free Lib., Baltimore
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 214 pages
• Publisher: St Martins Pr; 1st edition (March 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312026102
• ISBN-13: 978-0312026103
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,183,067 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the two most informative books I have ever read on this subject, April 18, 2009

By	ASYA FYODOROVNA (SOUTHERN USA) - See all my reviews

This is one of the most informative books I have ever read on this subject, and my reading has been quite extensive.