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Apollo's Angels
Apollo's Angels: A History of Ballet | Jennifer Homans
10 posts | 6 read | 6 to read
NATIONAL BESTSELLER For more than four hundred years, the art of ballet has stood at the center of Western civilization. Its traditions serve as a record of our past. Lavishly illustrated and beautifully told, Apollos Angelsthe first cultural history of ballet ever writtenis a groundbreaking work. From ballets origins in the Renaissance and the codification of its basic steps and positions under Frances Louis XIV (himself an avid dancer), the art form wound its way through the courts of Europe, from Paris and Milan to Vienna and St. Petersburg. In the twentieth century, migr dancers taught their art to a generation in the United States and in Western Europe, setting off a new and radical transformation of dance. Jennifer Homans, a historian, critic, and former professional ballerina, wields a knowledge of dance born of dedicated practice. Her admiration and love for the ballet, asEntertainment Weekly notes, brings a dancers grace and sure-footed agility to the page. NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW LOS ANGELES TIMES SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
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Violetta
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After visiting such a beautiful exhibition I remembered that I have this book about the history of ballet at home. It seems the time has come 🧡 #readinginspiration

JenniferP I loved this book! I read it over a decade ago and still remember a lot of it. 11mo
Violetta @JenniferP Looking forward to it! 11mo
34 likes2 comments
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LaurenAsh
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Mehso-so

The history of ballet is very long, so this book is long, too. I am glad that I read it, but also glad that I am done with it.

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LaurenAsh
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Taking the opportunity to read outside on this nice day (in the shade). 🌞😎

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KristiAhlers
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Pickpick

As part of my #balletreads challenge I picked this one. Very in-depth analysis of the history of ballet. Things addressed varied from the history of Danish and Italian as well as Russian and British and America ballet companies to introductions of some of the most influential dancers. Well worth the read if you‘re a lover of ballet or just being introduced for the first time. #ballet #springread

36 likes1 stack add
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kamoorephoto
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@TaylorMay This is my old man, Apollo; he‘s almost 14, and getting very tired. He didn‘t have a single white hair on him when I got him as a puppy! He was left at the vet clinic I was working at; the owners never came back for him, at just a few months old. I‘ve had many animals by my side throughout my life but Apollo is the most continuous and I know soon it will be his time. But I know we shared a lifetime. Sending so much love to you 😿❤️

dylanisreading So beautiful. ❤️ 6y
kamoorephoto @Bianca He says thank you. He‘s been called way worse things 😭 Some people don‘t like underbites 😒 6y
LauraBrook Such a handsome little dude! 😽😽 6y
GondorGirl I love his grumpy little face! 😍 6y
TaylorMay Aww Apollo is gorgeous and I hope he knows it! I'm so sorry that his time is coming but I'm glad that you were able to come into his life at the perfect time. Fate works in mysterious ways. Please give him some extra love from me and have him give you some from me too❤ thank you for your kindness and love 6y
61 likes5 comments
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mklong
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So yeah, I am slightly obsessed with dance! This is nothing compared to the amount of #tinydancers on my ereader. If you are a professional dancer who has written a memoir or a former dancer who has written a novel, I've probably read and loved it. Can't stop, won't stop! #lyricalapril

LeahBergen I only have five of these. 😂 7y
Cinfhen Oh wow!!! That's a great selection ❤️💜💙 7y
Cinfhen @LeahBergen ???"only" 5, tsk tsk! Slouch? 7y
See All 10 Comments
mklong @LeahBergen I couldn't believe you found one for my Valentine's package that I hadn't read! 7y
fleeting I am so jealous of this! I've read maybe a couple but would love to get the others! Also a collector of all books about ballet! ❣🩰 4y
mklong @fleeting Oh, I love a fellow Ballet lover! I just picked up an 800 page biography Nureyev that I hope to get to before the end of the year. 4y
fleeting @mklong and my copy of Apollo's Angels just arrived! I have the kindle but still want the print. 😄 I have a bunch of wishlisted books on ballet novels and nonfic. What's your favorite? :) 4y
mklong @fleeting Apollo‘s Angels is definitely my favorite! I also really liked Jenifer Ringer‘s memoir. I found her so relatable. Tag me if you ever want to do a ballet buddy read! 4y
fleeting @mklong oh that sounds real fun! Let's try to find a book to read. Wish I had that gargantuan Nureyev, though I'm not sure I'm ready for it! Might need some more background. Been wanting Bolshoi Confidential and also Swans of the Kremlin! 4y
mklong @fleeting Swans of the Kremlin sounds good to me! I haven‘t read that one. When do you want to start? I have some book club stuff to finish up, but could start in October. 4y
31 likes10 comments
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abby-doodle-bug

The power of the dance lay uniquely in the expressive quality of [Anna Pavlova's] movements and in the way she showed the expiring life force, the draining energy and spirit from a creature of great strength and beauty -Jeniffer Homans on Anna Pavlova's performance of "The Dying Swan" (goosbump inducing footage: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QMEBFhVMZpU)

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abby-doodle-bug
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Enjoying a coffee, the history of ballet, and classy coffee shop music on this wondrous spring day! PS holy wow I love this book so much and I'm only halfway done.

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Gleefulreader
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The level of irritation when you get home from the library only to find out your audiobook is missing the first disc. 😡😡😡

mllemay Wow, that sucks 😒 7y
mklong Oh that really sucks! That's such a good one! 7y
Cinfhen 😫😫😫 7y
See All 8 Comments
Reviewsbylola Whoa! That's so annoying. 7y
CouronneDhiver Noooo! 7y
Wife 😤 7y
Gleefulreader @mllemay @mklong @Cinfhen @Reviewsbylola @CouronneDhiver @Wife thank you all! I knew my Litsy friends would understand my frustration! 7y
ValerieAndBooks Ugh!! I hope you'll get that resolved soon. I've heard this is a good book-- that reminds me I need to stack it. 7y
37 likes1 stack add8 comments
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ValerieAndBooks
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There are several used bookstores in Portland ME. This one is called Yes Books and bursting at the seams! I couldn't decide on any for myself but daughter (upper right) picked a bunch of ballet books and younger son picked out a couple on politics. And there's a bad pic of me at one of the many Irish pubs, because James Joyce (who I have to tackle someday).

LeahBergen Awesome! (and that beer is looking pretty good, too 😉) 7y
kspenmoll Love you with portrait & beer! 7y
ValerieAndBooks @LeahBergen @kspenmoll thanks ! It's a Guinness, of course ?. The pub is called Rí Rà. 7y
63 likes3 comments