SADORA DUNCAN

Legend and legacy-- Isadora Duncan unleashed emotional ecstasy in natural movements that became a one-woman show of the rebellious origins of the modern dance. Hers was an unreined for passion, international and immoral; the espousal of any and all causes (the ""Bolshevik hussy"" at large); and an utter disregard for the social niceties such as wedlock and money until they became necessary or convenient. In her own words, her life belonged to Dionysus, Christ and Bacchus; in the critics' view, only her career saved her soul. The author spares the rhapsodies and recognizes her as a melody from the past with echoes in the present performing arts. An honest book written with young readers in mind, this neither overemphasizes or ignores La Duncan's self-igniting, never banked, flames of passion.