“For soundness, for clarity, for succinctness, this manual of basic ballet is the best there is anywhere.”

–Edwin Denby, The Nation

With a precision unparalleled in any other book of its kind, The Classic Ballet presents a lucid text, and nearly six hundred drawings describe and illustrate in minute detail the proper body position, balance point, movement, and attitude of each position and step in the basic classical repertory.

As George Balanchine wrote in his preface: “There are no shortcuts to great dancing, but what is necessary to remember and unalterable in its instruction may be found in this book . . . An admirable source of reference for the highest standard of practice.” It is an invaluable tool for the student or teacher of ballet–as well as a must-have treasure for the balletomane. For soundness, for clarity, for succinctness, this manual of basic ballet is the best there is anywhere.

–Edwin Denby, The Nation With a precision unparalleled in any other book of its kind, The Classic Ballet presents a lucid text, and nearly six hundred drawings describe and illustrate in minute detail the proper body position, balance point, movement, and attitude of each position and step in the basic classical repertory. As George Balanchine wrote in his preface: "There are no shortcuts to great dancing, but what is necessary to remember and unalterable in its instruction may be found in this book . . . An admirable source of reference for the highest standard of practice." It is an invaluable tool for the student or teacher of ballet–as well as a must-have treasure for the balletomane.

林肯·柯尔斯坦，美国作家、艺术收藏家和慈善家，纽约市芭蕾舞团创建人之一。

梅里埃尔·斯图尔特，出生于英国的芭蕾舞者，10 岁时师从于芭蕾明星安娜·巴甫洛娃。数十年的巡演生涯之后，她在美国致力于芭蕾教育事业。

赵国纬，1952 年毕业于燕京大学教育系，多年在北京舞蹈学院执教教育心理学和中国通史两门课程。著有专著《舞蹈教学心理》，并翻译了《古典芭蕾：基本技巧和术语》以及《流畅的动作》。