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Belly Dance Books

If you disagree with the reviews, please add your comment on Amazon and Shira, as I just summarized what many many reviewers have said.

	The Belly Dance Book : Rediscovering the Oldest Dance 208 pages, 2000 This book has excellent reviews. Its more a collection of articles by some of the famous in the field. Goes over the history, traditions, has a costume and makeup section, very nicely done. Amazon Rating:   Shira Rating:
	Looking for Little Egypt (Paperback) 103 pages, 1995 For those who don't know her, Little Egypt was the stage name of the belly dancer that started it all in the U.S. The book is a historical account of the 1983 world fair where she performed. Good reviews, well written. Amazon Rating:   Shira Rating:
	"A Trade like Any Other" : Female Singers and Dancers in Egypt (Paperback) 240 pages, 1995 Well, this reads (and is) like a PhD thesis (University of Texas press is the publisher) - very academic. Not a nighttime story, but well researched and for what it talks about very good. Its focus is about how belly dancers are perceived in their home country, their families, and how the live. Amazon Rating:   Shira Rating:
	Grandmother's Secrets: The Ancient Rituals and Healing Power of Belly Dancing (Paperback) 158 pages, 2000 Summary: Not a tutorial, not well argued/research based, but nice to read. Once reviewer summarized it as a "fond recollection of the author's childhood and how dance is passed down through the generations from one woman to another". Part 2 is the weak history section, Part 3 describes (without pictures) some moves, and part 4 details dance occasions such as weddings, birth, etc. Amazon Rating:   Shira Rating:
	Belly Dancing: For Health & Relaxation (Paperback) 96 pages, 1982 A tutorial; also comes with history/music/costuming sections. Shira thinks its "too revealing", which shows she prefers the conservative egyption style over the more outgoing turkish style. Some pictures. Shira gives it 2 stars for its "attempt to teach belly dancing". Amazon Rating: ?   Shira Rating:
	Dancing Fear And Desire: Race, Sexuality, And Imperial Politics In Middle Eastern Dance (Paperback) 229 pages, 2005 New book (2005), no reviews found. Amazon Rating: ?   Shira Rating: ?
	Bellydance : A Guide to Middle Eastern Dance, Its Music, Its Culture and Costume (Paperback) 96 pages, 2005 Good reviews. It has nice pictures, talks about the different styles of Middle Eastern Dance. Has a warm-up section, basic moves, culture, history, ... a good starting point. Amazon Rating:   Shira Rating: ?
	Nefertiti Presents: Belly Dancing the Basics (Spiral-bound) 41 pages, 2002 Teaches belly dance moves. No book will get you started, but according to the reviews, its fine as a reminder, and suitable for intermediate dancers who can fill in the blanks. Its short though, but has pictures. Amazon Rating:   Shira Rating:
	Belly Dance (Paperback) 262 pages, 2003 Mixed reviews. Again more a history of Middle Eastern Dance type of book that's sometimes poorly researched. More for the collector and someone who wants yet another theory of the roots of Middle Eastern Dance Amazon Rating:   Shira Rating: ?
	The Tribal Bible, Exploring The Phenomenon That Is American Tribal Style Bellydance (Paperback) 306 pages, 2003 Well, in short, its impossible to find this book, so if you find a copy on ebay, expect to pay a premium. And I am not going into the discussion whether tribal dance has anything to do with Middle Eastern Dance. Amazon Rating:   Shira Rating:
	Zaida: Belly Dancing for Older Women (Paperback) 156 pages, 2001 Message: You are never too old to dance. Well, the book has no pictures. Mixed reviews, summarized as not a tutorial, more a "how to live with Joy and dance in your life" kinda book. Grandmother's secrets is better. Shira says: Its a summary of her website (http://welcome.to/Za%EFda) Amazon Rating:   Shira Rating:
	Belly Dancing : The Sensual Art of Energy and Spirit (Paperback) 192 pages, 2005 Positive reviews. Teaches moves & has pictures. Chapter on children, music, recipies, history, and even medical advise such as "how it can be helpful for women with painful periods". Amazon Rating:   Shira Rating: ?
	Bellydancing for Fitness : The Sexy Art That Tones Your Abs, Butt, and Thighs (Paperback) 176 pages, 2004 A teaching book, comes with the (soso?) CD. Shimmy the fat away? Amazon Rating:   Shira Rating: ?
	Belly Dancing for Fitness: The Ultimate Dance Workout That Unleashes Your Creative Spirit (Paperback) 144 pages, 2004 Teaching book, very good ratings. Pictures, resource guide, history, ... the works. Amazon Rating:   Shira Rating: ?
	Belly Dancing Basics (Paperback) 144 pages, 2004 Good reviews. Standard history chapter, but lots of moves with pictures, and also includes veils, wings, fire, sword, etiquette, make-up, shows ... nicely done. Amazon Rating:   Shira Rating: ?
	Sacred Woman, Sacred Dance : Awakening Spirituality Through Movement and Ritual (Paperback) Lots of information, from more or less reliable sources(?). Not just belly dance, but about women and dance over time and in different cultures. Amazon Rating:   Shira Rating:
	Oriental Belly Dance (Paperback) 160 pages, 2002 Ok, the pictures are stunning, revealing in an exotic way, illustrating Turkish belly dance. The written part is "lacking in accuracy", "refreshing", should not be taken seriously. Amazon Rating:   Shira Rating: ?
	Serpent of the Nile: Women and Dance in the Arab World (Paperback) 207 pages, 1998 Hmmm. Great pictures, paintings, etc. but for a historic perspective type of book, not very accurate. But nicely written. Amazon Rating:   Shira Rating:
	The Compleat Belly Dancer (Paperback) 160 pages, 1973 Another book from the 70s, out of print, but available used. According to the reviews, a nice to own as a collector, good b/w pictures and "inspirational". Amazon Rating:   Shira Rating: ?
	Costuming from the Hip (Spiral-bound) 120 pages, 1997 It's a good "how to" book on costume making, and since there are not many out there, good to have. Covers veils, kaftans, belts, bras, cholis, shirts, jewelry, and much more. Amazon Rating:   Shira Rating:
	From Turban to Toe Ring 102 pages, 2000 Ok, so its the "how to" book for tribal dancers. Includes henna advice, indian textiles, berber, choli, tatoos .... Amazon Rating:   Shira Rating:
	Intermediate Belly Dancing (Intermediate Belly Dancing, Vol. I) (Paperback) 28 pages(!), 1989 Ok, short. Very - short. Shira's review states "this isn't a book. It's a booklet. We're talking 8 pieces of paper (one of which is the cover, on colored paper) folded in half and held together with 3 staples." Covers 18 moves. Amazon Rating:   Shira Rating:
	The Serena Technique of Belly Dancing (Paperback) ? pages, 1975 Well, according to the 2 reviewers, it does a good job at teaching Middle Eastern Dance considering that its from the pre-video time ('75). So, if you can learn how to fly by reading a book about it... Used books only, as its long out of print. Amazon Rating:   Shira Rating: ?
	The Belly Dancer In You (Paperback) 216 pages, 1977 Old out of print book ('77), no reviews available. I've seen it, from what I can remember: This book by Özel covers a lot of ground at a surface level. A few pages each on Belly dance and health, benefits for sexlife, warmup, basics, routines, veils, zills, music, costume making, and a few cooking recipies... Lots of b/w pictures. Amazon Rating: ?   Shira Rating: ?

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