In the early twentieth century, American ragtime and the Parisian tango fuelled a dancing craze in Britain. Public ballrooms were built throughout the country, providing a glamorous setting for dancing. The new English style, defined in the 1920s and followed by the films of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in the 1930s, ensured that ballroom dancing continued to be the most popular British pastime until the 1960s, rivalled only by the cinema.

This book explores the vibrant history of ballroom and Latin dancing: the dances, lavish venues, competitions and influential instructors. It also traces the decline of couple dancing and its resurgence in recent years with the hugely popular TV shows Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing with the Stars.

'Have you ever watched Strictly Come Dancing and wondered about the history of ballroom and Latin dancing? If so, Hilary French has provided an authoritative and accessible introduction...French's richly detailed book is thoroughly recommended for anyone intrigued by the social history of dancing.' BBC History magazine

'Fascinating...tells the history of dance from the very beginning...an essential read.' Dance News