The Meaning of Tango: The Story of the Argentinian Dance

This book is required reading for anybody who is interested in Tango. The more I re-read it, the more I like it. It takes us back to the roots and very reason for Tango's existence and survival into our own era. Christine Denniston's unique experiences offer us the missing link between the Golden Age of Tango popularity and today. Her encounters with older dancers in Buenos Aires at an exciting time when Tango was being reborn after many years of neglect are interesting in their own right but also explain so much about the dance as a vital part of Argentine culture.
In another sense, this book squares the circle. Those who currently learn Tango often find themselves taught a shallow pastiche of the dance and, particularly after one or two unpleasant experiences at Milongas, may come to wonder why they should bother. They may even have come to believe that Tango is no different from any other couple dance. Christine explains why the real thing is so much more rewarding when taken to heart as a vehicle for couple intimacy raher than aerobics or attention-seeking display.
This is a book for reading over and over again. Yes, the publisher has economised on paper. It really doesn't matter. A copy should be handed out by every Tango teacher to every newcomer to Tango

properly researched and authentic (3/3 people found this helpful)

Christine is very well respected amongst the Tango community. She made the effort to live amongst, dance with and learn from surviving milongueros from the Golden Age. Through her research she brings a more credible history of Tango, avoiding the usual cliched caricatures. Her book covers the social history, the evolution of the music and the dance itself.

Her discussion of the dance is particularly interesting. Tango is much more nuanced and subtle than the strutting acrobatics often associated with the term "tango". It is a language for communicating with your partner, it has a grammar, a vocabulary and is incredibly expressive. Christine goes into some detail about the social dance as it was danced, and in particular the rationale behind its technique. Argentine tango is about "two hearts" moving as one, in a pleasant and comfortable way ... and not about strenuous kicks and flicks, and Christine gets this. Many books and even teachers do not get this.

This is a small easy to read book, but its full of valuable content. I have many books on Tango and this one is my favourite.

The only things that stops this being a 5-star is the book is printed on horrible cheap paper and the photos and illustrations are not very good. If she does a second edition I hope they sort this out!

Excellent news for all dance lovers (1/3 people found this helpful)

This book is a gift to all dancers, it offers detailed information about tango, its history and technique. The book also covers philosophical aspects of couples dancing as well as giving subtle hints about loving, caring and being in trance with each other whilst dancing. This book is a gift.

The Essence of Tango! (3/5 people found this helpful)

Learning to dance the Tango can be a confusing and sometimes frustrating experience. For those of us not brought up in the Tango culture of Buenos Aires, our first impressions are often of roses between teeth, and slick, stylish Tango shows. When you first see the social dance, you are presented with yet another variation. Different teachers provide their own take on the dance and may often appear to contradict each other. Even a visit to Buenos Aires - the source and spiritual home of the Tango - may add to the confusion. The Tango developed across a large city over a period of more than a century, as a result of which different styles have developed.

In this book, Christine Denniston has identified the essence of the dance. From her first visit to Buenos Aires in the early 1990s, she sought out dancers who had first started to learn in Tango's Golden Age - the period from the mid 1930s to the mid 50s when the three elements of Tango - the music, song and dance - were at their height. Her time spent dancing with and talking with these older, experienced dancers allowed her to discover the essence that was common to all, regardless of their neighbourhood of origin or style of dance.

This is the book that the Golden Age dancers themselves never wrote! Even if you don't dance Tango, but have an interest in dance and love watching the dance shows on TV, this book will give you a valuable insight into one of the world's most fascinating and exciting dances. If you are already a Tango dancer, whatever your style, this book provides a link to those dancers who came before, and perhaps answers some questions you may still have. If you are already addicted, this book will help you to understand why!

The Meaning of Tango: The Story of the Argentinian Dance

Christine Denniston

Reader Reviews:

A most vital and valuable insight (3/3 people found this helpful)

properly researched and authentic (3/3 people found this helpful)

Excellent news for all dance lovers (1/3 people found this helpful)

The Essence of Tango! (3/5 people found this helpful)

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