As a study of theatrical dance which places developments in dance within the larger artistic and historical environment, Deborah Jowitt's generously illustrated book makes a valuable contribution to modern cultural history.
Twenty-seven years ago, this month (October), Deborah autographed my copy of "Time and the Dancing Image", and that launched my (short lived avocation) as a dance critic/writer. Although, I am now dead to the dance world, it lives yet in me.
Although I'm a dance critic, I often find dance history tedious--all those names and descriptions! But Jowitt puts the dance into context with artistic and intellectual movements and finds some really fascinating connections along the way. I feel so much more educated now that I've read this. . .
Deborah Jowitt writes a very intelligent and interesting non-chronological overview of dance history. Her writing style holds the reader's interest, and even though I have read many similar books, her perceptive insights are original and thought-provoking.