Streb: How to Become an Extreme Action Hero

by Elizabeth Streb, Anna Deavere Smith (Foreword)

An inspiring memoir and self-help guide to greatness by the dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov calls “fearlessness and intelligence combined . . . potent and beautiful.” Called “the Evel Knievel of Dance,” Elizabeth Streb has been pushing boundaries and testing the potential of the human body since childhood. Can she fly? Can she run up walls? Can she break through glass? How fast can she go? With clarity and humor—and with her internationally-renowned dance troupe STREB—she continues to investigate what movement truly is and has come to these It’s off the ground! It creates impact! And it hurts trying to stop! Here, Streb combines memoir and analysis to convey how she became an extreme action dancer and choreographer, developing a form of movement that’s more NASCAR than modern dance, more boxing than ballet, and more than most people can handle “in this dizzying, inspirational self-help” books ( Publishers Weekly , starred review).

201 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Pamela Kallimanis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth Streb is an extreme action hero. That much is clear in her explorations of time and space in this memoir. What's wonderful about this book is the way that Streb explores the responsibilities of an artist in knowing the craft and pushing boundaries. Much like her dance pieces, Streb's writing reflects a simple philosophy, "there are no limits." In the essays contained in the collection, Streb reveals an immense amount of knowledge and a breadth of reading in philosophy, physics and mechanical engineering.

As an artist, I was inspired to push into the limits of my own craft, to examine the "apparatus" of my own writing and art. I found this book to be very good albeit the writing is a bit rough and transitions are not really there. I think her narrative reflects the actual personality and vocation of Streb's own extreme action personae. I would recommend this book to anyone on the edges of artistic expression and anyone who feels disempowered to take risks. Streb is a hero in this time, and the fact that Feminist Press published this memoir shows their dedication to women's issues in the twenty-first century. Great reading!!

[Noah · Rating 4 out of 5]

While not actually a manual for becoming an Extreme Action Hero, Streb's memoir is a fascinating, albeit brief, insight into the philosophy behind her amazing work.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elizabeth Streb is a unique mind as well as an extreamly unique choreographer. I enjoyed this book because it was insightful into her life history and what inspires her movement.

[Mandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this book via Goodreads First Reads!

The description of this book sounded a lot more interesting than it actually was.

The parts that were stories of different extreme action dance sequences was fairly interesting, but that was only a small part of the book.

Most of the book was very, very technical which made it very hard to read - and I know a little about dance due to years in musical theater, so I'm guessing a person who had no knowledge of dance would be even more lost than I was.

[Jenny]

If you like Streb's choreography, you should read this book.

[Caroline Carlisle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book seriously blew my mind so many times. I want to read it again. Now.

[Jen Tatro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've seen Elizabeth Streb's troupe perform live twice (once in Chicago, once because I was in their neighborhood in NYC and just stopped by in time to watch a rehearsal of the whole show, for free!) Just awesome - their shows are so original, daring and skilled. It's like pro-wrestling meets circus meets dance meets Hollywood stunt work.

If you've ever wanted to know what make these shows happen, you owe it to yourself to read Elizabeth's book.