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This is a collection of essays written by scholars andprofessionals on the field of Dance and African American Studiescovering four major areas of the disciplines. It provides historical,philosophical and aesthetic information on the subject matter drawingfrom the African continent and the African Diaspora. ... Read more

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Detailed practical instructions on how to perform the 18th century Minuet, with brief notes on the 16th century Pavan. 11 pages of msuic, arranged for the piano, are included. ... Read more

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THEY WERE MISFITS WHO HAD TO LEARN TO SURVIVE.

A BARGAIN MADE IN HASTE

Desperate but determined, lovely Brandy answers an advertisement for a mail order bride, hoping to build a new life out West for herself and the five orphans she’s taken under her wing. She needs a guide to reach Fort Laramie by wagon train and turns to Thunder, a Cheyenne scout, for help. When he curtly refuses, Brandy is undaunted. And when he’s jailed after a gunfight she makes a devil’s bargain: he gets his freedom and she gets a guide.

A DESTINY SEALED BY A KISS

Thunder has learned the hard way that prejudice runs deep for half-breeds. Now, his only desire is to live among the Cheyenne people. He doesn’t want the temptation beautiful Brandy offers, and the wild passion that explodes between them only hardens his resolve to avoid what he cannot have: another man’s soon-to-be wife. But when they reach Fort Laramie, can he truly walk away from Brandy and the rag tag family he has come to love? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Now here's a great story!
Brandy barely remembered the time she was little and her mother had left her at the door of the parsonage with only her trunk. When she began a young lady though, Father Brown died and Brandy became the one in charge of the five younger orphans. There was no money, no one coming to replace Father Brown, and soon the parsonage would be closed. Brandy had to do something! She had promised Father Brown to take care of the other five. When she spotted an ad from Sam Owens for wife, she never hesitated to write him in hope of being chosen. She was. The only thing stopping them was the need of a man to take charge of their wagon while with Ward's wagon train until they reached Owens at Fort Laramie. Thunder was the one to fill that role.

The White world called him Thomas Bradley. His mother was staying with her husband among the Cheyenne. But he went to her parents in Boston for an education as his mother wished. He was headed home now to the people who knew him as Rolling Thunder. Taking care of Brandy and her five charges was the last thing he wanted to do. But he had no choice in the matter.

Brandy and Thunder became attracted to each other. However, each knew they would soon be going their separate ways. Neither knew how could possibly make it without the other. But they also knew they had no choice.

***** Now here is a great story! Brenda Jernigan created characters that I fell in love with quickly. I could not seem to read fast enough! The pages flew by! Everything was so well written and flowed so smoothly! Don't start this one until you are sure you will have plenty of time to read. You won't want to put it down. AWESOME! Highly recommended! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

The pages flew by!
Brandy barely remembered the time she was little and her mother had left her at the door of the parsonage with only her trunk. When she began a young lady though, Father Brown died and Brandy became the one in charge of the five younger orphans. There was no money, no one coming to replace Father Brown, and soon the parsonage would be closed. Brandy had to do something! She had promised Father Brown to take care of the other five. When she spotted an ad from Sam Owens for wife, she never hesitated to write him in hope of being chosen. She was. The only thing stopping them was the need of a man to take charge of their wagon while with Ward's wagon train until they reached Owens at Fort Laramie. Thunder was the one to fill that role.

The White world called him Thomas Bradley. His mother was staying with her husband among the Cheyenne. But he went to her parents in Boston for an education as his mother wished. He was headed home now to the people who knew him as Rolling Thunder. Taking care of Brandy and her five charges was the last thing he wanted to do. But he had no choice in the matter.

Brandy and Thunder became attracted to each other. However, each knew they would soon be going their separate ways. Neither knew how could possibly make it without the other. But they also knew they had no choice.

***** Now here is a great story! Brenda Jernigan created characters that I fell in love with quickly. I could not seem to read fast enough! The pages flew by! Everything was so well written and flowed so smoothly! Don't start this one until you are sure you will have plenty of time to read. You won't want to put it down. AWESOME! Highly recommended! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch.

Wonderful
Dance on the Wind ended much too soon.This story really touches your heart and makes you care about the characters.I loved every minute of the book and it will be a book that I'll read over and over again. ... Read more

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Set between 1860 and 1880, four deserters bring the body of a dead soldier back to his home town, a mining community in the grip of a coal strike and cut off by snow. Their leader, Serjeant Musgrave, plans to hold the town at gunpoint and confront its people with the realities of warfare. Arden's play questions the military principle of "Obey or suffer" and the cruelty and futility of war.Serjeant Musgrave's Dance was first performed at the Royal Court Theatre in 1959.This volume contains expert notes on the author's life and work, historical and political background to the play and a glossary of difficult words and phrases. ... Read more

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The present volume concludes Melusine Wood's studies of characteristic dances from past ages, this final sheaf being intended for the more advanced student, since many of the dances comprise certain difficulties of style and technique. The contents range from the eighteenth to the nineteenth centuries and discuss in detail the following dances with full directions for their performanceTHE EIGHTEENTH CENTURYTheMinuetThe Minuet (Kellom Tomlinson)TheMinuet(Rameau)The French DancesLa Bourr NouvelleThe Royal George. Rigaudon-PassepiedContredanseChristchurch Bells (Playford)Le Carillon d'Oxford (Feuillet)La Marquise(de la Cuisse)Los Petimetres y Petimetras (Minguet)Contredanse(Gallini)Harbour's AllemandeThe Transition to BalletL'Aimable Vainqueur (Pécour)Forlana(Pécour)Chaconne for a Harlequin (Roussau)THE NINETEENTH CENTURYRevivalsMinuet (d'Egville)Gavotte (d'Egville) ... Read more

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Melusine Wood's previous book, 'Historical Dances : 12th to18th Century', was in the nature of an introduction to the subject, each major period being illustrated by one or more typical dances.Here, dances are studied in relation to a definite syllabus, the first Elementary; the second Intermediate, and more difficult of execution. There are also helpful notes on "Angel Walking", and on the varying modes of deportment during the Middle Ages and the17th and 18th centuries.In addition to detailed instructions for the execution of the steps, there are special exercises for the development of technical ability.Among the dances described are :Samplers of basic French steps (twelfth to eighteenth century)Samplers of basic Italian steps (fifteenth century)Cascarda: Laccio d'AmoreCascarda: Allegrezza d'AmorePavana MatteiCorrenteBranle SimpleBranle GaiBranle a Mener de PoitouBranle Double de PoitouBranle de MonstirandeHeart's Ease ... Read more

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Popular Music was a powerful and persistent influence in the daily life of millions in interwar Britain, yet these crucial years in the development of the popular music industry have rarely been the subject of detailed investigation. For the first time, here is a comprehensive survey of the British popular music industry and its audience. The book examines the changes to popular music and the industry and their impact on British society and culture from 1918-1939. It looks at the businesses involved in the supply of popular music, how the industry organised itself, and who controlled it. It attempts to establish the size of the audience for popular music and to determine who this audience was. Finally, it considers popular music itself - how the music changed, which music was the most popular, and how certain genres were made available to the public. ... Read more

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Lily Rafferty is a dancehall girl in 1897 London. Caught in a web of poverty and injustice, she thinks her luck might finally be about to change.

Rhys Trevan Morgan, Viscount Talfryn suffers under a terrible curse. Is Lily the answer to his prayers ... or his doom?

Historical paranormal romance. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

I enjoyed this story
Nice attention to detail. Interesting characters. This is a period piece written by a historian and it shows in the language and descriptions. I enjoyed reading about the seamy underbelly of Victorian prudery and the mystery plot was engaging. Miss Saville, you really should expand this out to a full novel! The e-book edition had a few formating oddities, but nothing that would disrupt your enjoyment of the story. I'm just really picky about that! I noticed one or two typos as well. Again, nothing that would spoil your enjoyment of this story. Overall, intriguing and enjoyable. I am going to check out some of her other kindle books, if that tells you anything.--Rodd Reduxxx, Author of The Oldest Living Vampire Tells All

Fantastic Exciting and Sweet
How I wish this was a full lengh story! I fell im love with the hero and wanted to go back to Wales with him myself! I would love a continuation of this story! Susanne Saville has a great talent! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Native American culture shines through short tales of past/present
Collections strong in Native American literature and writings will find Diane Glancy's search of Native American culture shines through in her short stories, which begin in the present and move back in Native American history. Tales survey over a hundred years of Native history and provide poignant reflections on spirituality, massacres and more.
... Read more

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Exploring Dance Forms and Styles: A Guide to Concert, World, Social, and Historical Dance helps all teachers introduce students to a variety of dance forms and styles—without having to leave the classroom! 

Customer Reviews (1)

A guide teachers must have!
EXPLORING DANCE FORMS AND STYLES: A GUIDE TO CONCERT, WORLD, SOCIAL, AND HISTORICAL DANCE includes a DVD with 83 minutes of video showing 39 dance performances, student worksheets, and teacher fact sheets to accompany an outstanding dance reference. It allows teachers to introduced students to a range of dance forms in a resource that covers the characteristics of dance and styles and can appeal to novices as well as seasoned dancers. Whether developing an individual dance style or complete dance unit, this is a guide teachers must have!
... Read more

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Björn Kurtén's compelling novel gives the reader a detailed picture of life 35,000 years ago in Western Europe. One of the world's leading scholars of Ice Age fauna, Kurtén fuses extraordinary knowledge and imagination in this vivid evocation of our deepest past. This novel illuminates the lives of the humans who left us magnificent paintings in the caves of France and Spain. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

A GOOD YARN BY A SCIENTIST!
I am amazed that a quite readable novel could be the result of scientific speculation by an accomplished scientist. The author's credentials as a scholar of vertebrate paleontology and Ice Age fauna were enough to earn this little novel good compliments from the famous likes of Richard Leakey (paleoanthropologist) , Stephen Jay Gould (evolutionary biologist), and Mary Renault (historical novelist sans égal). I don't think you could pay reviewers of this caliber to perk an unworthy novel. The language is simple, sometimes stilted, not very colorful or poetic, possibly the result of losing something in the translation? Actually, the original 1978 title in Swedish was "Den svarta tigern" - i.e. "The Black Tiger". This is an enjoyable, evocative book, not as ponderous and complicated as others of its genre that blossomed only after Kurten's publication (Clan of the Cave Bear, etc.). Additionally, the artwork is great: the interior illustrations of cave art were donated by the American Museum of Natural History, and the beautiful dust jacket of the First American Edition was designed by Wendell Minor - see the images we uploaded.

Entertaining and thought-provoking
Tiger is a young man coming of age in the strange world of Ice Age Scandinavia. When the men of his tribe are annihilated by an unknown enemy, and Tiger is left for dead, he is rescued by a group of Neanderthals - the strange, heavy-browed white people who share the world with his own black-skinned race. Tiger soon learns to speak their language, and learns a great deal about them as a people. But, that ruthless tribe is seeking to subjugate everyone in the area, and they will never allow Tiger and his new tribe to stay beyond their reach.

This book was written by Swedish-Finnish paleontologist Björn Kurtén to explain then current thinking on Neanderthals and the Ice Age. In spite of that academic sounding reasoning, the book is in fact a very interesting and entertaining read. The author's depiction of the cultural and physical differences between the two peoples was quite interesting and thought-provoking.

I must say that I found the level of action to be quite good, with the battles between Tiger and his people and Shelk and his to be quite interesting. To me the book seemed quite plausible, with the characters acting in a reasonable way. So, as for me, I found this to be a very good book on the Ice Age and the extinction of the Neanderthal, one that kept me entertained and also made me think. I really enjoyed this book, and don't hesitate to recommend it!

Interesting anthropology, weak fiction
To be honest, this is a one-star novel, but I feel like I'm kicking a dog when I come down hard on this book, so I'll give an extra star for effort and risk-taking.The author is an accomplished scientist who wanted to play with some speculations in a novelistic format.The result is a novel that is not worth reading, much less buying:wooden, predictable, awkward, and generally bereft of the qualities that make good fiction good.You can read a couple of chapters from your library copy then skip to the afterword, where the author explains his scientific hypotheses.If you want to get a better sense of a more serious novelist trying to depict the neolithic, try William Golding's 'The Inheritors.''Clan of the Cave Bear' only for laughs.

A very educational and enjoble novel
The Neandertal people were the sole inhabitants of Europe for 65,000 years, starting from 100,000 years ago. With the arrival from the South of modern man, the Homo sapiens, the Neandertals rapidly vanished - a mystery to this day.The Dance of the Tiger offers one plausible model of the interaction between these two peoples during their crucial encounter era. The author does this with the explicit admission that we actually know little about how or even if this encounter took place and what happened. As such, the novel is a thought experiment. But it is also an action novel and murder mystery made very engaging through its rich cast of characters: intelligent animists, tested leaders, warriors, shaman, shysters, artists, etc., as the two groups vie for their place in primeval Scandinavia. The plot contains interactions and intrigues as nuanced as any set in modern times. And unlike a book of a similar ilk - The Clan of the Cave Bear, this novel focuses accurately on the rich natural world at this period of ice age thaw, and sets the story into a sharp unsentimental focus.

To criticize - I would say the plot for me, despite its crafting, was fairly predictable. Ironically, more attention was given to weaving it, than to providing complexity in the many minor characters, who seemed almost contrived to serve the plot. I also ended up doubting the model attempted by the author to solve the overriding mystery (would people continue this practice once the result quickly became evident, and where then are the commingled bones?).

What do we take home?Something very nice. We are allowed to imagine a past where there are two very different types of intelligent peoples interacting, who each see the world clearly, and perhaps even more directly than do we, and further, who are in a more immediate way involved in forging the future. I recommend it as highly enjoyable and entertaining read.

Get the version if possible with the introduction by Steve Jay Gould. It is a brilliantly written piece. Gould raises these points: The encounter between the Neandertal (no longer believed primitive and brutish) and Homo sapiens was unprecedented in the history of Earth - never before had two such alien peoples encountered each other.Second - that the sort of tale Kurten tells is the best way for a scientist to layout such speculation - such a novel is the most productive way to explore exploratory science.

Anthropology Lite
This novel reads so fast it comes dangerously close to being considered light reading. However, it's author Björn Kurtén was a real-life anthropologist and he formed this "paleofiction" (as he called it) from his hypothesis of how the Neaderthals lost out to the Cro-Magnon. The result is fun -- with surprising ideas. And with a scientific grounding that can't be found in Jean Auel's works. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

While Angels Dance
Great read!! Ralph Cotton is a master at western fiction. His characters live in your memory long after the book is finished.They become old friends that you can't wait to see again.

Excelent Page Turner
I have just got into Westerns and where I live, there are no bookstores that sell them.It was when I was visiting my friends up in Canada when I found this book in a used bookstore.At first I wasn't so sure about it.I like factual books and wasn't into historical fiction sorts.This book changed my mind.I loved the adventures and the vivid images of the characters and their personalities make the book come to life and make it believable.There were several times when I had to remind myself that these were fictional events.This book is a keeper and I'm even thinking of getting the rest of the series :)

RALPH COTTON HAS DONE BETTER!!!
I really had mixed feelings about this book. I started several times to just quit and go on to something else. It is about Jeston Nash, his leaving home and joining Jesse and Frank James and the "Boys." He kills many, gets shot several times, and all the good things men did at that time. I think his best friend is Quiet Jack Smith. You can feel the characters some times but the book just never got to me like othes of Cotton's have.I think there are five more books in the Jeston Nash Adventure series but this one takes him all the way, at least it looks that way to me. I wonder if the others are just flashbacks to previous times. Don't think I will try any more.

Jesse James had a twin brother
Jesse James had a twin brother: his cousin, Jeston Nash.

Jesse James?Even today the name rings with excitement.Ralph Cotton brings that excitement roaring to life in his romantic first novel: WHILE ANGELS DANCE published by St Martin's Press.

One thing about Jesse James, everybody has an opinion, and nobody else agrees with it.
With a subject this volatile, you open the book with a ready sneer, ready to pounce on all the facts sure to be a little awry.But there is a delightful surprise in store.This writing is so good the sneer is immediately transformed into a grin of sheer delight.
Who cares about chasing down facts when you can go chasing down the old owlhoot trail with the 'real' Jesse James that Mr. Cotton has dreamed up?

A writer's job is to raise that curtain of the mind and create a reality the reader can actually see, hear, touch and smell.Ralph Cotton jumps right in, and pulls the reader in after him.In just a matter of minutes the smoke is boiling and outlaws with the bark on stand in the shimmering light with guns blazing.
There's no turning back, from the first page to the last, you will be anxiously watching the shadows to see what happens next.

"You could stumble into more trouble in two minutes than you could crawl out of in a hundred years." in those days.
Jeston Nash killed a Yankee soldier over a horse trade in Kentucky and the only place he could run to was the home of his Aunt Zeralda Samuel, the mother of Frank and Jesse James.

"Look here," she said to Doc Samuel."He looks enough like Jesse to be his brother."

Frank and Jesse were off riding under the black flag of Quantrill's guerillas.The rumors of Nash's presence bring them back, leery of a trap."I'd been drawing a fresh bucket of water from the well; the only sound in the stillness of morning was the squeaking crank handle and the clucking of chickens scratching in the dirt.Then all at once behind me, a horse nickered low, and the single heavy thud of a hoof jarred the ground.I froze, felt the skin ripple on my neck, and wondered in that split second how the hell a rider could've slipped in without them chickens raising a fuss."
It was Frank."Frank could lock on to your eyes like a coiled viper, and though I learned to overcome it in time, that day at the well, off guard, I just stood there staring, dumbfounded by the sudden appearance of this stranger with a friendly smile and a voice like gravel wrapped in silk.And behind him ... less than fifteen feet ... not one rider ... but six!They'd slipped in as quiet as smoke, and sat there atop their horses, looking hard eyed and evil."

WHILE ANGELS DANCE has two things going for it: The characters are so real you dread finding out what might happen to them next, and the outlaw humor has your face laughing before you realize your belly is shaking.
For example, Quiet Jack had been living with a widow for some time when Jeston came to call."You know, she killed her husband," Jack said casually the day we dug up the bank money.
He smiled affectionately."Yep, stabbed him in the heart while he was asleep."
"Does that bother you when you go to bed of a night?"I asked.
"Why should it?" he laughed."We ain't married!"
However, the token sex scenes are much too toxic even for a professional reader like me.Is all this trysting really that necessary?
The first one is more than a chapter long and could easily have been cut in half without the novel suffering any serious trauma.The blue language is almost black in places, but so naturally used that it doesn't actually ruin the story.

Only two, very brief scenes, jar the jaded senses.Both are deep into the novel and this reader probably only noticed them because discovering any less-than-perfect writing was a shock by that time.
A movie from this effort is almost unavoidable.Unfortunately, like Hondo, not even another John Wayne could make it as good as the original.

Stunning
Having read RW Cotton's other work first, I realized when I read While Angles Dance that this is all a part of an ongoing saga that gives a full account of how two troubled young men have allied their lives together in a desperate search for meaning during an insane period of bloodshed and violence. It is easy to laugh, cry, and at times almost bleed right along with hisfictional outlaws. Miller Crowe & Quiet Jack are the most tortured, lonesome, complex and compelling characters to ever come out of a western novel.Angels Dance may well be the most spiritual in-depth western novel ever written ... Read more