Oriental Belly Dance [Paperback]

Kemal Ozdemir (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2002

Oriental belly dance is an unequalled exhibition, which tells the story of birth. This book revelas the history of belly dancing, and the widely unknown fact that its origins are in the imitations of fetal kicks and the giving birth. Belly dancing is a celebration of vibrant sexuality and new life, and can be a powerful aphrodisiac. Fully illustrated.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kemal Ozdemir is a renowned Turkish expert on the history of belly dancing.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Donence (May 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9757054119
• ISBN-13: 978-9757054115
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,098,010 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Visually Stunning, March 12, 2003

By 

Wendy A. B. Whipple (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Oriental Belly Dance (Paperback)

There are some really outstanding photographs in this book, but the scope is somewhat limited to Turkish belly dance. The wonderful photos and illustrations are accompanied by text that seems to indicate a single theme as the author's focus: sex. In my opinion, he's a little single-minded on the idea that belly dance is a sexy dance. Also, don't expect anything but Turkish dance to be discussed in any detail.

If you are interested in history of this form of dance, skip this book. There are better ones. If you're interested more in the photos, you will not be disappointed (some of the costumes are quite inspiring!). I rate this book 5 stars for the photography, and its breadth. For the written part of this book, 2 stars. That averages to 3 1/2 stars, but I really love the photos and illustrations, which I feel outweighs the unsatisfactory writing.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Different Point of View, October 2, 2002

By 

Jan E. Elkins "libraryhag" (Salt Lake City, UT United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Oriental Belly Dance (Paperback)

This is an interesting book. I think some of the other reviewers are putting their values on the book and its content. The author states that Turkish dance is very different from other styles of belly dance, even in the middle east. I think the pictures are worth the price, but it is also worth the text, to give a different view of belly dance. From what I have heard from people who have been to Turkey, the representation of the dance as performed in Turkey that is given is valid. Everyone knows that a costume described as "Turkish" means it will generally be more revealing. I have been around belly dance for a long time and I found this author's openness refreshing. I may not like what he says but I am certainly in no place to say he is wrong. Afterall, his book has the endorsement of at least one Turkish belly dancer. The translation is not very professional and is very stilted in some places. Otherwise it is very enjoyable.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Visually pleasing and informative resource, November 29, 2002

By 

Rina Larabie (BC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Oriental Belly Dance (Paperback)

Beutiful photographs of historical and current dancers enhance this reference book about the evolution of the art of Oriental belly dance. Althogh the text is somewhat hard to follow chronologically, it does a good job explaining the evolution of the discipline.
The colour photos of the dancers are gorgeous, especially of the very photogenic Princess Banu. Costumers will appreciate their clarity because there are very few visual references available that show a variety of costume styles.
The list of master dancers should be better explained. How dancers are rated would also be useful.
Consider this a nice addition to your resources on this very old and provocative form of self-expression.