Dancing Without an Instructor

"Dancing Without an Instructor" by Professor Wilkinson is an early 1900s how-to guide that breaks down different kinds of dances, rules for how to act, and body positions for people who are new to dancing or want to get better. The book doesn't just describe dance moves, but also discusses why dancing is important to culture and how it's good for your health. Readers learn about basic dance manners and how dance styles have changed over time. The author shares that knowing many kinds of dances used to be important, but now dancers can focus on just a few, like the Waltz, Two-Step, and Lancers. Dancing is portrayed as a fun and healthy activity that makes you feel good physically and mentally, but the book also warns about situations where dancing might not be seen as appropriate. Early on, the writer introduces the key positions needed as the base for learning detailed dance steps explained later.