Whosoever danceth not, knoweth not the way of life." At the time this line from a 2nd-century Gnostic hymn was written, dancing was still "of the people, for the people, by the people, " so integral a part of life that it was almost akin to breathing. It is at the dance of the common people--folk dance--that this book takes a long look. Country by country, it explores and compares the cultural traditions that underpin folk dance in various parts of Europe. Margaret Allenby-Jaffe considers the importance of dance as both a patriotic statement and as a force for education and international communication. Written for dance students, teachers, historians, and interested readers, the book also includes 175 color photos, and step-by-step descriptions of particular national dances and their accompanying music.