This was just an okay read for me. I disliked as many things as I liked and didn't feel strongly enough about the book to really warrant adding an in-depth review to the blog.

very informative and interesting book for everyone that has an interest or love for ballet!
I loved getting to know the history of how ballet became what it is today, and even learning about some specific "Poses" was very interesting.
Definalty a good one for anyone that wants to know more about this sport or anyone performing and wants to learn more about it!!

This was not for me. I liked learning the technical aspects behind the movements but it was tedious to read.

I teach ballet, and its always refreshing to read new books related with my passion. This review its a little bit late, but I have to say that it was a great reading.
I think every person involved with the world of dance will enjoy this book a lot, it’s very clear the passion in this book,
Thank you for giving me the oportunity to read and review this book prior to its publication date.

This was a fascinating read; I feel like I learned so much about a discipline that I like reading about. The prose was lovely and the book was well-organized.

This book took the poetry of motion that is ballet and turned it into poetry on the page. Laura Jacobs' adoration for dance is obvious in her detailed descriptions of the history and techniques of ballet, and in her impassioned portrayals of the most famous and impactful ballets and dancers. The way she explains the various forces at work both in a dancer's body and within choreography itself will completely change the way you look at a performance. My only criticism is that I wish there were more drawings or photographs to help illustrate some of the points she made and to show off more of the dancers and ballets she describes.

I am so grateful for this book. I teach Dance Aesthetics and this book will be incredibly valuable for use in my course. I love Laura Jacobs view on Ballet History, and I love her viewpoint on Ballet, as well as her view on Modern Dance. i have way too many dance students that have no idea who Nureyev was, nor Nijinsky. Thank you to Ms. Jacobs, for her wonderful section on Diagelev, the Ballet Russes, and Nijinsky. This is a very important book for anyone who teaches Dance History. Ms. Jacobs take on Ballet and all things dance is terrific. Thank you to NetGalley and Perseus Books, Basic Books Publishers for the perusal. I am so happy for this book and cannot wait to buy my copy.

The great critic Theophile Gautier wrote in 1839 that: '...A good ballet is the rarest thing in the world; tragedies, operas and dramas are nothing in comparison with it'.



Laura Jacobs brings the magic and beauty of the ballet to life in this beautifully-written book. She conveys the excitement and wonder of ballet to beginners and devotees alike, filling the book with stories, anecdotes and history. I especially liked her chapters on the history of pointe shoes and Tchaikovsky, the godfather of ballet.



This is a must-have for any ballet fan.



I received this free ebook from Net Galley in return for an honest review.

I really liked this book. I love watching ballet and recently began lessons and this was a brilliant aid to my understanding. I love the blend of history and practical guidance - the chapters on pointe and arabesque contrasted so much with those on dancers and choreographers, yet they flowed so smoothly one after another. I breezed through it and thoroughly recommend it.

This approach by Laura Jacobs with her book "Celestial Bodies: How to Look at Ballet" is innovative and I think the publisher was taking a chance that will pay off. This book explains ballet from the perspective of the person who interacts with it, not as some historical subject esoteric subject that is beyond the ability of the average person. It isn't a mystery, its beautiful. Jacobs makes the subject an experience not a lecture.

In comparison to other books on the subject to ballet, it does not compartmentalize like an encyclopedia, but builds understanding in a very pleasant and fulfilling way. You are not overload, you are immersed in the world of ballet and will be able to draw on this book to greater enjoy one of the greatest artistic endeavours of humanity.

As a huge fan of ballet, this book doesn't disappoint. It gets a little too technical sometimes, but overall it is easy to understand. Very informative :)
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Overall: 4/5
Cover: 5/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Appealing: 3/5

Laura is able to capture the celestial bodies in action. This book is a reference book about ballet techniques. The author makes you travel in the time and teach you the source of each classic ballet's movement.

As a lover of ballet I was excited to start reading this one. It didnt disappoint. Very much enjoyed it! Informative and entertaining, I learnt a lot and now have even more appreciation for ballet and the dancers who entertain us.