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Raising the Barre: Big Dreams, False Starts, and My Midlife Quest to Dance
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Condition:
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A book that looks new but has been read. Cover has no visible wear, and the dust jacket (if applicable) is included for hard covers. No missing or damaged pages, no creases or tears, and no underlining/highlighting of text or writing in the margins. May be very minimal identifying marks on the inside cover. Very minimal wear and tear. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections.
- Buy It NowRaising the Barre: Big Dreams, False Starts, and My Midlife Quest to Dance
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Located in: San Antonio, Texas, United States
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eBay item number:203048129647
Item specifics
- Condition
- Subject
- Performing Arts
- ISBN
- 9780738218311
About this product
Product Identifiers
Publisher
Hachette Books
ISBN-10
0738218316
ISBN-13
9780738218311
eBay Product ID (ePID)
209826795
Product Key Features
Book Title
Raising the Barre : Big Dreams, False Starts, and My Midlife Quest to Dance the Nutcracker
Number of Pages
272 Pages
Language
English
Publication Year
2015
Topic
Personal Memoirs, Dance / Classical & Ballet, Literary, Entertainment & Performing Arts
Genre
Performing Arts, Biography & Autobiography
Format
Hardcover
Dimensions
Item Height
1 in
Item Weight
13.8 Oz
Item Length
8.5 in
Item Width
5.9 in
Additional Product Features
Intended Audience
Trade
LCCN
2015-026258
Dewey Edition
23
Reviews
Publishers Weekly , 10/26/15 "[Kessler] inspires readers as she realizes that 'you can't feel the thrill unless you take the risk.'" People , 12/7/15 "[Kessler's] book is eloquent, funny and so inspiring that readers might want to 'attempt the impossible' too." Eugene Weekly , 11/19/15 "With a funny and warm writing style, Kessler describes a history of doubts, from the poking comments of her early dance teachers to her powerful drive to succeed in Eugene Ballet Company's performances -- by any means necessary." Kirkus Reviews , 10/15/15 "Kessler has a wonderfully self-conscious mettle as well, not to mention a deft hand with the evocative expression of her inner feelings. She provides a useful vest-pocket history of ballet, and The Nutcracker in particular, and she ably captures the abundant physical punishment...An amusingly shrewd memoir of following a lifelong dream." Library Journal , 12/4/15 "This delightful story of one woman's personal quest will be enjoyed by anyone who thinks age is just a number, but Nutcracker fans will find it especially appealing.", Publishers Weekly , 10/26/15 "[Kessler] inspires readers as she realizes that 'you can't feel the thrill unless you take the risk.'" People , 12/7/15 "[Kessler's] book is eloquent, funny and so inspiring that readers might want to 'attempt the impossible' too." Eugene Weekly , 11/19/15 "With a funny and warm writing style, Kessler describes a history of doubts, from the poking comments of her early dance teachers to her powerful drive to succeed in Eugene Ballet Company's performances -- by any means necessary.", "This delightful story of one woman's personal quest will be enjoyed by anyone who thinks age is just a number, but Nutcracker fans will find it especially appealing."-- Library Journal, "Kessler brings the reader along on a 250-page journey that's brutally challenging, hilariously funny and incontestably inspiring as she tries to morph from fit-but-not-ballet-fit mother and writer to lithe and limber Aunt Rose."-- PBS's Next Avenue, "[An] adventurous immersion into the subculture of ballet, this is a great, inspirational story for someone who is looking for a push to take that leap and do that thing they have been putting off for a really long time. If Kessler can do it, you can do it."-- Oregon ArtsWatch, Publishers Weekly , 10/26/15 "[Kessler] inspires readers as she realizes that 'you can't feel the thrill unless you take the risk.'", "Breezy...Inspiring...Kessler's experience...will resonate with lots of readers...Self-reflective and funny, Kessler has an infectious enthusiasm, and her struggle to balance family, work and her time on social media will be amusingly familiar to many."-- Washington Post, "[Kessler] inspires readers as she realizes that 'you can't feel the thrill unless you take the risk.'"-- Publishers Weekly, Publishers Weekly , 10/26/15 "[Kessler] inspires readers as she realizes that 'you can't feel the thrill unless you take the risk.'" People , 12/7/15 "[Kessler's] book is eloquent, funny and so inspiring that readers might want to 'attempt the impossible' too." Eugene Weekly , 11/19/15 "With a funny and warm writing style, Kessler describes a history of doubts, from the poking comments of her early dance teachers to her powerful drive to succeed in Eugene Ballet Company's performances -- by any means necessary." Kirkus Reviews , 10/15/15 "Kessler has a wonderfully self-conscious mettle as well, not to mention a deft hand with the evocative expression of her inner feelings. She provides a useful vest-pocket history of ballet, and The Nutcracker in particular, and she ably captures the abundant physical punishment...An amusingly shrewd memoir of following a lifelong dream." END Library Journal , 12/4/15 "This delightful story of one woman's personal quest will be enjoyed by anyone who thinks age is just a number, but Nutcracker fans will find it especially appealing." PBS's Next Avenue , 12/8/15 "Kessler brings the reader along on a 250-page journey that's brutally challenging, hilariously funny and incontestably inspiring as she tries to morph from fit-but-not-ballet-fit mother and writer to lithe and limber Aunt Rose." Washington Post , 12/11/2015 "Breezy...Inspiring...Kessler's experience...will resonate with lots of readers...Self-reflective and funny, Kessler has an infectious enthusiasm, and her struggle to balance family, work and her time on social media will be amusingly familiar to many." Oregon ArtsWatch , 12/10/15 "[An] adventurous immersion into the subculture of ballet, this is a great, inspirational story for someone who is looking for a push to take that leap and do that thing they have been putting off for a really long time. If Kessler can do it, you can do it.", Publishers Weekly , 10/26/15 "[Kessler] inspires readers as she realizes that 'you can't feel the thrill unless you take the risk.'" People , 12/7/15 "[Kessler's] book is eloquent, funny and so inspiring that readers might want to 'attempt the impossible' too." Eugene Weekly , 11/19/15 "With a funny and warm writing style, Kessler describes a history of doubts, from the poking comments of her early dance teachers to her powerful drive to succeed in Eugene Ballet Company's performances -- by any means necessary." Kirkus Reviews , 10/15/15 "Kessler has a wonderfully self-conscious mettle as well, not to mention a deft hand with the evocative expression of her inner feelings. She provides a useful vest-pocket history of ballet, and The Nutcracker in particular, and she ably captures the abundant physical punishment...An amusingly shrewd memoir of following a lifelong dream." END Library Journal , 12/4/15 "This delightful story of one woman's personal quest will be enjoyed by anyone who thinks age is just a number, but Nutcracker fans will find it especially appealing." PBS's Next Avenue , 12/8/15 "Kessler brings the reader along on a 250-page journey that's brutally challenging, hilariously funny and incontestably inspiring as she tries to morph from fit-but-not-ballet-fit mother and writer to lithe and limber Aunt Rose." Washington Post , 12/11/2015 "Breezy...Inspiring...Kessler's experience...will resonate with lots of readers...Self-reflective and funny, Kessler has an infectious enthusiasm, and her struggle to balance family, work and her time on social media will be amusingly familiar to many." Oregon ArtsWatch , 12/10/15 "[An] adventurous immersion into the subculture of ballet, this is a great, inspirational story for someone who is looking for a push to take that leap and do that thing they have been putting off for a really long time. If Kessler can do it, you can do it." Mediander, 12/17/15 "Kessler's book is well structured, generates suspense and culminates with amusing stories of performance mishaps and the rigors of touring." "The Bookworm Sez" syndicated column, 12/18/15 "[A] slice-of-life story...Raising the Barre is a nice surprise...Kessler proves that ballet -- and, really, seizing any dream worth having -- isn't as easy as it looks. You may even see yourself in what she endures: the doubts, aggravations, and triumphs, especially, but also in the journey itself. And for sure, you'll laugh, too, because Kessler keeps readers on their toes with plenty of self-depreciating humor. You don't need to be an aspiring ballerina to love this book...Raising the Barre is a book to leap for." Oregon Arts Watch, 12/17/15 " Raising the Barre is not unlike The Nutcracker itself: a delicious confection, a fast-paced romp." Providence Journal , 1/3/16 "Kessler's overall message about The Nutcracker will appeal to the hundreds of thousands who saw one of the many productions this holiday season...As a model then for trying different things in the New Year, Raising the Barre , gets a standing ovation.", "Kessler has a wonderfully self-conscious mettle as well, not to mention a deft hand with the evocative expression of her inner feelings. She provides a useful vest-pocket history of ballet, and in particular, and she ably captures the abundant physical punishment...An amusingly shrewd memoir of following a lifelong dream."-- Kirkus Reviews, "Remarkably informative, inherently fascinating, surprisingly instructive, exceptionally well written...Refreshingly candid...A compelling read from beginning to end."-- Midwest Book Review, "With a funny and warm writing style, Kessler describes a history of doubts, from the poking comments of her early dance teachers to her powerful drive to succeed in Eugene Ballet Company's performances--by any means necessary."-- Eugene Weekly, Publishers Weekly , 10/26/15 "[Kessler] inspires readers as she realizes that 'you can't feel the thrill unless you take the risk.'" People , 12/7/15 "[Kessler's] book is eloquent, funny and so inspiring that readers might want to 'attempt the impossible' too." Eugene Weekly , 11/19/15 "With a funny and warm writing style, Kessler describes a history of doubts, from the poking comments of her early dance teachers to her powerful drive to succeed in Eugene Ballet Company's performances -- by any means necessary." Kirkus Reviews , 10/15/15 "Kessler has a wonderfully self-conscious mettle as well, not to mention a deft hand with the evocative expression of her inner feelings. She provides a useful vest-pocket history of ballet, and The Nutcracker in particular, and she ably captures the abundant physical punishment...An amusingly shrewd memoir of following a lifelong dream." Library Journal , 12/4/15 "This delightful story of one woman's personal quest will be enjoyed by anyone who thinks age is just a number, but Nutcracker fans will find it especially appealing." PBS's Next Avenue , 12/8/15 "Kessler brings the reader along on a 250-page journey that's brutally challenging, hilariously funny and incontestably inspiring as she tries to morph from fit-but-not-ballet-fit mother and writer to lithe and limber Aunt Rose." Washington Post , 12/11/2015 "Breezy...Inspiring...Kessler's experience...will resonate with lots of readers...Self-reflective and funny, Kessler has an infectious enthusiasm, and her struggle to balance family, work and her time on social media will be amusingly familiar to many." Oregon ArtsWatch , 12/10/15 "[An] adventurous immersion into the subculture of ballet, this is a great, inspirational story for someone who is looking for a push to take that leap and do that thing they have been putting off for a really long time. If Kessler can do it, you can do it." Mediander, 12/17/15 "Kessler's book is well structured, generates suspense and culminates with amusing stories of performance mishaps and the rigors of touring." "The Bookworm Sez" syndicated column, 12/18/15 "[A] slice-of-life story... Raising the Barre is a nice surprise...Kessler proves that ballet -- and, really, seizing any dream worth having -- isn't as easy as it looks. You may even see yourself in what she endures: the doubts, aggravations, and triumphs, especially, but also in the journey itself. And for sure, you'll laugh, too, because Kessler keeps readers on their toes with plenty of self-depreciating humor. You don't need to be an aspiring ballerina to love this book... Raising the Barre is a book to leap for." Oregon Arts Watch, 12/17/15 " Raising the Barre is not unlike The Nutcracker itself: a delicious confection, a fast-paced romp." Providence Journal , 1/3/16 "Kessler's overall message about The Nutcracker will appeal to the hundreds of thousands who saw one of the many productions this holiday season...As a model then for trying different things in the New Year, Raising the Barre , gets a standing ovation.", "Kessler's book is well structured, generates suspense and culminates with amusing stories of performance mishaps and the rigors of touring."-- Mediander, PBS's Next Avenue , 12/8/15 "Kessler brings the reader along on a 250-page journey that's brutally challenging, hilariously funny and incontestably inspiring as she tries to morph from fit-but-not-ballet-fit mother and writer to lithe and limber Aunt Rose." Washington Post , 12/11/2015 "Breezy...Inspiring...Kessler's experience...will resonate with lots of readers...Self-reflective and funny, Kessler has an infectious enthusiasm, and her struggle to balance family, work and her time on social media will be amusingly familiar to many." Oregon ArtsWatch , 12/10/15 "[An] adventurous immersion into the subculture of ballet, this is a great, inspirational story for someone who is looking for a push to take that leap and do that thing they have been putting off for a really long time. If Kessler can do it, you can do it." Mediander, 12/17/15 "Kessler's book is well structured, generates suspense and culminates with amusing stories of performance mishaps and the rigors of touring.", "[Kessler's] book is eloquent, funny and so inspiring that readers might want to 'attempt the impossible' too."-- People
Dewey Decimal
792.8092
Synopsis
Like generations of little girls, Lauren Kessler fell in love with ballet the first time she saw The Nutcracker , and from that day, at age five, she dreamed of becoming a ballerina. But when she was twelve, her very famous ballet instructor crushed those dreams--along with her youthful self-assurance--and she stepped away from the barre. Fast forward four decades. Lauren--suddenly, powerfully, itchingly restless at midlife--embarks on a "Transcontinental Nutcracker Binge Tour," where attending a string of performances in Chicago, New York, Boston, and San Francisco reignites her love affair with the ballet--and fuels her girlhood dream. What ensues is not only a story about The Nutcracker itself, but also an inside look at the seemingly romantic--but oh-so-gritty--world of ballet, about all that happens away from the audience's eye that precedes the magic on stage. It is a tale told from the perspective of someone who not only loves it, but is also seeking to live it. Lauren's quest to dance The Nutcracker with the Eugene Ballet Company tackles the big issues: fear, angst, risk, resilience, the refusal to "settle in" to midlife, the refusal to become yet another Invisible Woman. It is also a very funny, very real look at what it's like to push yourself further than you ever thought you could go--and what happens when you get there., Like generations of little girls, Lauren Kessler fell in love with ballet the first time she saw The Nutcracker , and from that day, at age five, she dreamed of becoming a ballerina. But when she was twelve, her very famous ballet instructor crushed those dreams,along with her youthful self-assurance,and she stepped away from the barre.Fast forward four decades. Lauren,suddenly, powerfully, itchingly restless at midlife,embarks on a Transcontinental Nutcracker Binge Tour," where attending a string of performances in Chicago, New York, Boston, and San Francisco reignites her love affair with the ballet,and fuels her girlhood dream.What ensues is not only a story about The Nutcracker itself, but also an inside look at the seemingly romantic,but oh-so-gritty,world of ballet, about all that happens away from the audience's eye that precedes the magic on stage. It is a tale told from the perspective of someone who not only loves it, but is also seeking to live it. Lauren's quest to dance The Nutcracker with the Eugene Ballet Company tackles the big issues: fear, angst, risk, resilience, the refusal to settle in" to midlife, the refusal to become yet another Invisible Woman. It is also a very funny, very real look at what it's like to push yourself further than you ever thought you could go,and what happens when you get there., Like generations of little girls, Lauren Kessler fell in love with ballet the first time she saw The Nutcracker , and from that day, at age five, she dreamed of becoming a ballerina. But when she was twelve, her very famous ballet instructor crushed those dreams -- along with her youthful self-assurance -- and she stepped away from the barre. Fast forward four decades. Lauren -- suddenly, powerfully, itchingly restless at midlife -- embarks on a "Transcontinental Nutcracker Binge Tour," where attending a string of performances in Chicago, New York, Boston, and San Francisco reignites her love affair with the ballet--and fuels her girlhood dream. What ensues is not only a story about The Nutcracker itself, but also an inside look at the seemingly romantic -- but oh-so-gritty -- world of ballet, about all that happens away from the audience's eye that precedes the magic on stage. It is a tale told from the perspective of someone who not only loves it, but is also seeking to live it. Lauren's quest to dance The Nutcracker with the Eugene Ballet Company tackles the big issues: fear, angst, risk, resilience, the refusal to "settle in" to midlife, the refusal to become yet another Invisible Woman. It is also a very funny, very real look at what it's like to push yourself further than you ever thought you could go -- and what happens when you get there.
LC Classification Number
GV1787.K38 2015
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