Rating: 
Summary: All the Essential Ingredients
Review: A great book to begin and continue with your ballroom dance experience. The are many subtleties in this text that most dancers take for granted when they really shouldn't. The things that Mr. Allen discusses about the accuracy of leg swing contributing to the overall balance of the individual and then the couple are incredibly important to partnering and growth. At first I thought the book too simple - then I reviewed all of its contents again and I saw that I was NOT as good as I thought I was! Now almost every aspect of my dancing has improved.
Rating:
Summary: All the Essential Ingredients
Review: A great book to begin and continue with your ballroom dance experience. The are many subtleties in this text that most dancers take for granted when they really shouldn't. The things that Mr. Allen discusses about the accuracy of leg swing contributing to the overall balance of the individual and then the couple are incredibly important to partnering and growth. At first I thought the book too simple - then I reviewed all of its contents again and I saw that I was NOT as good as I thought I was! Now almost every aspect of my dancing has improved.
Rating:
Summary: Finally...it makes sense!
Review: After wasting close to $500. on "dance lessons", I found this book! Why couldn't any of my so-called teachers have read it? The physical analogies are fantastic! For example...relating Dance position to carrying a Thanksgiving turkey platter...PERFECT! That's just what it should feel like. Hold your arms up with your "lats" not by hunching/shrugging your shoulders. Mr. Allen provides the basics, and how to "feel" what is correct.I'm sending a copy of this book to every "teacher" at the studio where I took lessons...hopefully they will read it.
Rating: 
Summary: You've got to be kidding!
Review: Although this book is clearly written, it contains no pictures and virtually no diagrams. If you can learn dance steps without pictures and diagrams, more power to you. I found this book to be useless.
Rating: 
Summary: The Line of Dance
Review: As one insightful reviewer mentioned all of the reviews for this book are uncannily love or hate. Though I have my own opinion of this book, I recognize that another Love-Hate review is not going to help you decide whether or not to spend your money, so I'm going to try to break the division and write an objective review with a neutral star rating. I believe the strict separation of ratings is due to differing expectations. As a beginner you are looking for a book with easy to follow instructions and patterns on how to make everyone off the dance floor jealous. A CD of appropriate music with someone counting in the background would be nice, perhaps some full scale foot print charts, maybe a pop-up partner if you're single. The beginner, however, has greatly underestimated the complexity of dancing and devotion it takes to become a good dancer. As an instructor you hope people will read a book that doesn't promise beginning steps in chapter 1, lifts and splits in chapter 2, and have an addendum with costume patterns. You hope the beginner will appreciate that every step in a dance is far more than moving a foot from A to B, and that some people devote their lives to dancing well (Ballroom dancing is now an Olympic Sport to those unaware). If you had your way students would spend their fist month simply standing with a good dance frame and maybe by month two they could take their first step. Instructors sometimes forget, however, the passion and anxiousness of the beginner. That being said this book offers the beginner basic steps for three dances. Realize, however, that the basic Merengue step is extremely simple, And that the Waltz and Foxtrot steps are nearly identical (because the foxtrot can also be danced in the Waltz box pattern). When I say steps I mean the steps that constitue the most basic single pattern for each dance. This book does not include turns, dips, cuddles, or that thing Patrick Swayze does in "Dirty Dancing". With the steps it does offer, however, this book attempts to explain them in their most correct execution. It offers many metaphors and illusions for the most simple movements and attempts to write at a level that everyone can comprehend. Some of the content you may find painfully obvious, some of it you may not understand for quite a while. Some of us don't cook and will never have any idea what his point was with the turkey platter. In terms of physical existence this book is thin with large font. There are no pictures save some clip art quality graphics and the wedding section is probably 1/3 to 1/4 of the book. This is not special wedding dance moves reserved for gowns and tuxedoes, by the way, but rather that wedding planning type thing that seems to occupy future mothers-in-law. There is a handy list of good songs for these steps at the back of the book. Music which most people probably already have in their collection. I hope this review has helped to bridge the divide for this title. Whether you buy the book or not, however, don't focus to much of your energy on words describing dancing...
Rating:
Summary: The Line of Dance
Review: As one insightful reviewer mentioned all of the reviews for this book are uncannily love or hate. Though I have my own opinion of this book, I recognize that another Love-Hate review is not going to help you decide whether or not to spend your money, so I'm going to try to break the division and write an objective review with a neutral star rating. I believe the strict separation of ratings is due to differing expectations. As a beginner you are looking for a book with easy to follow instructions and patterns on how to make everyone off the dance floor jealous. A CD of appropriate music with someone counting in the background would be nice, perhaps some full scale foot print charts, maybe a pop-up partner if you're single. The beginner, however, has greatly underestimated the complexity of dancing and devotion it takes to become a good dancer. As an instructor you hope people will read a book that doesn't promise beginning steps in chapter 1, lifts and splits in chapter 2, and have an addendum with costume patterns. You hope the beginner will appreciate that every step in a dance is far more than moving a foot from A to B, and that some people devote their lives to dancing well (Ballroom dancing is now an Olympic Sport to those unaware). If you had your way students would spend their fist month simply standing with a good dance frame and maybe by month two they could take their first step. Instructors sometimes forget, however, the passion and anxiousness of the beginner. That being said this book offers the beginner basic steps for three dances. Realize, however, that the basic Merengue step is extremely simple, And that the Waltz and Foxtrot steps are nearly identical (because the foxtrot can also be danced in the Waltz box pattern). When I say steps I mean the steps that constitue the most basic single pattern for each dance. This book does not include turns, dips, cuddles, or that thing Patrick Swayze does in "Dirty Dancing". With the steps it does offer, however, this book attempts to explain them in their most correct execution. It offers many metaphors and illusions for the most simple movements and attempts to write at a level that everyone can comprehend. Some of the content you may find painfully obvious, some of it you may not understand for quite a while. Some of us don't cook and will never have any idea what his point was with the turkey platter. In terms of physical existence this book is thin with large font. There are no pictures save some clip art quality graphics and the wedding section is probably 1/3 to 1/4 of the book. This is not special wedding dance moves reserved for gowns and tuxedoes, by the way, but rather that wedding planning type thing that seems to occupy future mothers-in-law. There is a handy list of good songs for these steps at the back of the book. Music which most people probably already have in their collection. I hope this review has helped to bridge the divide for this title. Whether you buy the book or not, however, don't focus to much of your energy on words describing dancing...
Rating:
Summary: Strongly Recommended and of Great Value!
Review: Ballroom or Social Dancing including the Latin and Swing dances are based on the ability of a man and a woman to move together as a dance couple in a response to music. Those who wish to be dance partners must learn many physical skills. It is like a rethinking and redevelopment of known individual movements to create harmony as a dance couple. After carefully reading Jeff Allen's book Quickstart to Social Dancing, I quickly realized how special this book is and what a wonderful job he did in developing the vital components of the aforementioned types of dancing. As the reader of this book goes through the developmental movement lessons they could, at a cursory glance, believe that they already know how to do them. They would be correct from their own individual point of view but certainly NOT as a dance couple. One of the things I have learned in my many years of teaching, and as an observer to the teaching of countless students, is their first instincts to partner one another are ALWAYS selfish. One of the refreshing ideas Mr. Allen uses is to take what we absolutely know how to do and use these physical analogies to develop the necessary beginning skills of the social dancer. With these established components, the beginner has a very good chance of becoming a very good ballroom, Latin, or swing dancer. I have scrutinized several of the more popular books out on the market that concern themselves with an overview of ballroom dancing and have been very harsh in my criticisms when there has been repeated and glaring errors. I am willing to say emphatically and without fear of contradiction Mr. Allen's seem to be the only of those without gross technical and teaching error based on any of the curriculum standards set forth by the major dance societies in the USA. I also want to emphasize that I make these statements without any special interest or financial gain attached to the books where you see my reviews. In the various ballroom, Latin, and swing dances the beginner will soon want to use rotational figures. The ability to rotate particularly with a dance partner is first based on the dancer's ability to move accurately and correctly. In the original books written in England at the beginning of the 20th century, the authors and developers of the correct standards of dance knew how important walking skills in rhythm, along with the proper and accommodating footwork, were to ballroom dancing. Not until Quickstart to Social Dancing has a text about this topic treated the basic walk for Foxtrot and Waltz along with the all-important chassé for the Merengue, Swing, and Cha-cha, adequately. It seems that other authors miss the mark when they fail to instruct their readers about the closing action; its timing, and when to release the next foot. Mr. Allen gives these a serious but fun filled treatment so that later on in the dancer's experience the bad habits or inability to close the feet while in motion will not come back and haunt the dancer. I have personally seen this error all to often and have wondered what teachers who have omitted this important factor were thinking. It is clear to me that new dancers have many fears and reservations about moving with each other and "Stepping on toes." There are more misconceptions about the ideas of dancing with a partner than accurate ones and before a student encounters good teaching. It seems that one of the main thrusts of Quickstart to Social Dancing is to take away these fears and misconceptions and replace them with accurate and simple physical movement and direction so that frustration is kept at an absolute minimum. This approach would definitely serve many teachers well when introducing their new students to ballroom dancing. The fundamentals in six major dances; Foxtrot, Waltz, Rumba, Merengue, Swing, and Cha-cha are covered in this book. There are very important treatments with the similarities and more significantly the differences of leg action and usage of the body in the Ballroom dances, the Latin dances, and the Swing. It is easy to see why many schools, colleges, and universities use this text for their introduction to social and ballroom dance classes. I am aware of at least 12 schools through the intercollegiate amateur dance network that do so. The book contains a "Special Section for Brides and Grooms," that covers very important and useful tips for their wedding day. Presenting the bride, the photographer, the DJ, etc. are all given very adequate treatment. This book does not pretend to be a comprehensive collection of dance steps but it IS a very comprehensive about the importance of a good beginning and just beyond - Thank you and congratulations Jeff for this very significant and essential dance resource!
Rating: 
Summary: Three important reviews for: Quickstart To Social Dancing
Review: Book Review
By Karla Schriner , DANCE TEACHER NOW Magazine
March 1997 Issue Good for teachers to send home as a practical guide for beginners, this book thoroughly
covers basic information including dance direction, timing, and frame. In class, the teacher
need only review the basics. Students can then move on to more advanced materials and
steps faster by using Quickstart at home between lessons.
Quickstart To Social Dancing also includes sections for the bride and groom. The special
section offers advice for the wedding couple including how to announce the first dance and
present the bride. The sections are good for teachers who have only a few lessons before
their students' "big day". Again, teachers may send the book home with their students,
leaving valuable class time to work on the dance rather than the details of the "first dance
ceremony".
Book Review
By Sandra Lee Wollin , Professional Ballroom & Latin American Instructor, Author
Emerson, NJ (201) 262-1274 "Quickstart To Social Dancing" by Jeff Allen is an easy to read Ballroom primer with a
very logical layout that even the non-dancer can follow. He gives clear, basic information
to the beginner without information overload. His visualization techniques are perfect for
the newcomer. This is the perfect book for the neophyte Ballroom and Latin-American
dancer, whether it is to end here, or continue on to a more formal dance education
Book Review
By Sue Comparetto, Dancing USA Magazine Jeff Allen has finally written the book I have been waiting for. He has written a text that is
easy to pick up and read, and will actually teach you to dance. A "Quickstart To Social
Dancing" is something I think will appeal to my audience --- men that need to learn to
dance! I think every dancing woman will want to buy this book for her non-dancing mate.
Since I am on a campaign to recruit men into dancing, to better balance the numbers of
men and women, this book will provide me with just the tool I need. It will be much easier
for the average male to pick up this primer and feel comfortable about dancing, than to
walk cold into a dance studio. Jeff makes it easy for them too, with real life analogies and
good illustrations to walk them through the elements of dance. I highly recommend every
dancer wanna-be to pick up this book.
Rating:
Summary: "Quickstart" Makes for Happy Dancers!
Review: Dear Jeff Allen, Hi! Through the generosity and thoughtfulness of my daughter-in-law Susan I came to acquire the book you published called "Quickstart to Social Dancing". Your subtitle "An Easy-to-Follow Guide for Beginners" I found to be quite correct after reading a few pages. I could not help but notice how often what you wrote in your book reminded me of what my older brother said to me when he taught me to dance many years ago. And I am happy to report that he did a very good job of teaching. I must add here that my brother was one of the best dancers in town. So I am pleased to say by the same token, that your book is the best one in town in regard to learning how to dance. It is no wonder that Susan speaks of you as being fortunate in having met and known you because she is in the Dance Space business in Springfield, MA and suggesting your book to the new students is a great help. So, keep up the good work Jeff and you will help make many people happy dancers. "Chick" Comparetto, age 77
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Useless
Review: Don't bother to buy this. The instructions are like trying to read a translation from Japanese assembly instructions for some incomprehensible machine. I was totally unable to translate his instructions into any usefull movement. For example he says, "With both your elbows pointing 45 digrees at the dance floor relax your underarms and push the upper arms up by flexing all the muscles that surround the front, side, and back of your rib cage." I don't know about you but this instruction is useless for me.
I am currently using this book as a hot-pad in my kitchen.
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