Every Man's Survival Guide to Ballroom Dancing: Ace Your Wedding Dance and Keep Cool on a Cruise, at a Formal, and in Dance Classes

James Joseph's survival guide ought to be required reading for beginner dancers, dancers wanting to make their dancing more musical and responsive to their partner, and even for teachers who want to give their students a great start to a future of enjoyable dances. Despite the (unfortunate but understandable) "Man" in the title, women can benefit from this book, too.Dance is about responding to the music that moves your spirit. Different music and different dance styles appeal differently to different people. This is NOT a book to teach you any specific dance or any specific moves. As the book points out, you have group classes, private lessons, YouTube videos, and other resources for that. This is a book about fundamental principles that will help any dancer with any style of social dance. It is the kind of information that every teacher should be conveying to their students over the course of their lessons.Alas, so much of dance instruction is about the pattern of the week (or month series). That way students can feel they got a specific "product" in return for their money and time. But rich, rewarding dance wants to be more about a dancer's relationship to the music and to their partner. When we have those fundamentals, then patterns become useful tools, not an end in themselves. The patterns are to dance as kata (forms) are to martial arts. They inform how to move the body and what is possible.Yes, the book makes the assumption that the "Man" leads. That gender assumption is challenged all the time in modern dance scenes. (The book does suggest in a paragraph that dancers can benefit from learning the opposite role. I wholeheartedly agree.) Practically everything in the book is something that either partner will find useful and helpful. Consider, for example, musicality, a major part of the book. Dance partners make a richer, more rewarding connection with each other when they both respond to a "leader" they have in common -- the music!The Kindle version of the book disappointed a bit in a few aspects. First, the Table of Contents does not include Chapter titles, only numbers. Second, the tables are difficult to read. Third, although the in-book hyperlinks are a wonderful help, there is no ability to immediately return to where you jumped from! Limitations of the Kindle interface, not the book.I've been dancing ballroom smooth, Latin, and swing dances for three decades, and more recently Argentine tango. As I read this book I found myself repeatedly nodding my head and saying, "Exactly!" This information presents a mature approach to getting the most out of dance instruction. Mr. Joseph writes in a highly approachable, friendly, and easy to understand manner.I recommend this book highly for men and women (i.e., ballroom "dancers") who are beginner dancers OR teachers who want to do right by their students.

I really liked this book. I have been struggling with learning ballroom dancing for several years and yet I often feel like a beginner. The author has been through this exact experience and had the same feeling. He had me saying to myself, "This guy really understands me. Not just generally but exactly." He give excellent advice about how to get started...advice which may have been bypassed in one's group lessons.I had the opportunity to check out a few of the specifics with a professional teacher and the book was spot on.However, when I finished the last paragraph, I was left with a sort of empty feeling, as if to say, "What do I do now?"My advice to wannabe social dancers is to read and enjoy this book. Pay attention to the advice give but then look for a good teacher.

A great book for any man (or woman) who has experienced reluctance to go out on the dance floor. Not only does it provide the beginning dancer with answers to questions they didn't know they needed to ask, but it gives much needed encouragement and support. The author, tho now an experienced dancer, clearly remembers the beginnings of his dance career, and writes with empathy and understanding for those going through this stage. He provides an excellent analysis of music and movement along with practice exercises Though a person can't learn to dance from a book, this provides an adjunct to classes where a person can learn in the privacy of his/her home, avoid the self consciousness that makes us loose our concentration, and learn to gain confidence as a dancer.In addition, the book is enjoyable to read. It is written with humor, warmth and a nonjudgmental relaxed attitude - all the qualities we need when we dance.

I expected some dancing tips, not ego tips.I agree with what the author wrote, but he only used his approach to build his confidence to achieving his success. If you are like him you would give his book 5 stars.I wish it could have had an approach that would fit with a broader spectrum of men because each of us can improve our dancing skills and our ego, not those of us just like him.

For over two decades, I've worked to learn dance. This book takes me back to the very basics of hearing the music and aligning to it. Then moving up from there with the body movements. In the short time I've had it, the Survival Guide has put me on a path to success. It has explained where I've gone wrong before and why.James Joseph's straightforward and practical learning exercises are leading me to results and confidence. The book's essence is about what is common to nearly all ballroom dancing. It's entertainingly written by pulling from his own experiences and his perceptions resonant with me.Having been about to embark on another round of lessons, I pulled up short. Until I get the intuitive, autopilot grasp of the basics, I'd be wasting my time and dealing with more discouragement on the dance floor.The book is written from a guy's perspective. Last evening I was speaking with several women and one put it well - she acts as the keeper of the beat for her husband when they dance. Maybe it is a guy thing, but the author's words and exercises will change this for me.For now, skip the dance lessons and DVDs - get this book.

The author wrote a whole book on listening to the beat. This would be valuable for maybe a page or two but not a whole book. The book does not teach you any steps. It did not teach me how to dance, only how to listen to a beat.

The best book for a beginner on ballroom dancing or one who wants to think it through and not simply feel the beat!!! Awesome! This author finally takes a dancer through the chaos of different dancing terms, steps, and references among the studios and teachers and makes real sense of it! This book will change your life in dancing!

Love reading this book which decrypt the 8-beat count of most music (except waltz which is in 6 count). A newer version is also available by the same author James Joseph: "Hear the Beat, Feel the Music: Count, Clap and Tap Your Way to Remarkable Rhythm".

After many years (I'm 63 years old) of being told "Listen to the beat", "Feel the music" and other such meaningless (to me) phrases, which just left me feeling more frustrated. I have gone, in the space of a week, to understanding what they are talking about. Not only has this book taught me something about music and dance, more importantly, it has taught how music and dance are connected. I am still musically challenged, I still struggle to hear the beat and I still have difficulty knowing 'When to come in'. But, and it's a big but, I am improving because I now have understanding. If you are musically challenged, can't hear the beat and don't know when to come in, then this book is for you. I wish I had had this book years ago. However, be warned, this book is written by a guy for guys, with (in my opinion) a lot of 'tongue in cheek' comments, which some ladies might be offended by - I'm sure that was not the author's intention. One final comment, despite it's title, this is not a book on learning to dance, especially ballroom. It is, in my opinion, an essential guide to all those musically challenged guys out there who want to understand how to connect the dance to the music. It's a great companion to dance lessons and let's be honest, for the price, an excellent and worthwhile investment

This book doesn't teach you how to dance. If you want that, get out there and take dance lessons.This book teaches you how to listen, how to hear the beat and rhythm. Which is the basis of all dance. I started taking ballroom dance lessons and learned the steps but was clueless as to how it sync'd with the music. This book will teach you how to keep time with the music and will improve your dancing immensely.The author has excellent insight in how to lead, proper frame and how to lead a step which will improve how you look out on the dance floor.I am a complete klutz on the dance floor but now I'll be a klutz with style and rhythm.

Easy to find instruction on all aspects. A great reference!

I was quite interested in this book because I was a ballroom dancing teacher for many years. The problem is that because it is a physical activity - I think it should be read in conjunction with taking lessons. A dancing studio usually offers some sort of a social evening where their students can practice what they have learnt with lots of different partners as well as to meet and make friends. The detail was reasonably presented and it will give the reader something to get them going.