Customer Reviews

The Story of Irish Dance

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My mother bought me this book last spring when my parents visited Ireland. The author was kind enough to autograph it for me. That alone was enough to make me want to read this book, but once I started, I couldn't put the book down. Ms. Brennan tells the story of Irish Dance with an obvious love of the subject and a gift for storytelling. She introduces us to famous dancers of the recent past and tells the story of dance in different areas of the country. I found myself enjoying this book more than I ever expected, and learned a great deal in the process.

I bought this book because I had to write a paper about the history of Irish dance for school. It was not only helpful, but also fascinating, because of my personal experience with Irish Step dance. I have taken Irish dance classes for around 7 years now, and I thought that it was interesting how the different techniques came to be used. While I did use two other books as sources for my paper, I found myself coming back to this one again and again for information. If you are interested in learning about how Irish dance became what it is today, I would definitely recommend this book

The Story of Irish Dance was a great book! I learned so much about the history of Irish dancing! The author writes in such an engaging style that transports the reader back through time. I am an Irish dancer and I would defiantly recommend this book to other Irish dancers as well as anyone with a love of Irish history. :]

" This work not only fills a vacuum for traditional music afficionados but is a spell-binding read" - SUNDAY TRIBUNE (Dublin)

"THE STORY OF IRISH DANCE is a serious study which succeeds in being both entertaining and stimulating." - IRISH NEWS (Belfast)

"THE STORY OF IRISH DANCE is of interest to the general reader and as a source for scholars of Irish dance, dance anthropology, folklore and cultural studies" - IRISH TIMES (Dublin)

" .. a remarkable collection of anecdotes and well-researched background... a fascinating account." - IRISH INDEPENDENT (Dublin)

"THE STORY OF IRISH DANCE is a catalogue of extrordinary anecdotes, meticulous research and the rehearsal of acrimonious controversies whose effects linger on today." - THE EXAMMINER (Cork)

"Helen Brennan has written a fascinating account." - R.T.É. GUIDE (Dublin)

"THE STORY OF IRISH DANCE really is a story to be read by anyone with an interest in any form of dance .." - DANCE EXPRESSION (U.K.)

"THE STORY OF IRISH DANCE is a must, not only for Irish dance fans, but also for anyone interested in Ireland's wonderful past. Helen brings history to life." - IRISH DANCING MAGAZINE

"This book not only weaves a social tapestry around the dance but is also a reminder not to lose sight of the basics. It is a 'must' for anyone involved or interested in Irish dancing." - SET DANCING NEWS (Ireland)