Includes bibliographical references (p. 235-246) and index.
1. The pleasures of dance history -- 2. Glimpses of the past -- 3. Dance at the royal courts -- 4. The professionalization of ballet -- 5. The sunshine and moonlight of romantic ballet -- 6. The Imperial Russian ballet -- 7. Balletic astonishments -- 8. The rise of American ballet -- 9. The phoenix of modern dance -- 10. Ballet around the world -- 11. International contemporary dance.