Review Of George Balanchine: The Ballet Maker By R. Gottlieb

As editor in chief of Simon and Schuster, Alfred A. Knopf, and The New Yorker, Gottlieb has edited numerous books during his career, many of them on dance-related topics. Released in the Eminent Lives series ( brief biographies by distinguished authors on canonical figures ), this book is a gem. Gottlieb served on the board of the New York City Ballet (Balanchine\u27s company) and was involved in numerous aspects of that company\u27s life and growth. He brings his understanding of the interior workings of the company and his more than 50 years of watching Balanchine\u27s work to bear in this book. Arranged chronologically, the chapters follow Balanchine\u27s remarkable choreographic output and along the way distill salient events, dances, and people in his life. Though economically written, the book captures nuances of Balanchine\u27s life and work, presenting them as no previous book on the great choreographer has. Enhancing the book are 30 black-and-white photographs, a list of significant dances by Balanchine, a short article written by Balanchine in 1965, and a useful guide to additional sources on Balanchine\u27s life and work. Summing Up: Essential. All dance and arts collections; all levels