Ralph G. Giordano

While the 1950s are often portrayed as an idyllic era, this decade should also be remembered for segregation and condoned violence against African Americans as well as rampant sexism.On the surface, the 1950s was a time of post-war prosperity and abundance. However, in spite of a relaxation of immigration policies, the "good life" in the 50s was mainly confined to white non-ethnic Americans. A new Cold War with the Soviet Union intended to contain the threat of Communism, and the resulting red scare tinged the experience of all U.S. citizens during the decade.

This book examines the key trends, people, and movements of the 1950s and inspects them within a larger cultural and social context. By highlighting controversies in the decade, readers will gain a better understanding of the social values and thinking of the time. The examination of the individuals who influenced American culture in the 1950s enables students to gauge the tension between established norms of conformity and those figures that used pop culture as a broad avenue for change—either intentionally, or by accident.

The Architectural Ideology of Thomas Jefferson

Country & Western Dance turns the spotlight on a uniquely American form of dance, one that has been scuffing the floorboards for nearly a century but is often overlooked.


Fun, lively, and thoroughly researched, this revealing volume tells the full story of country and western dance music from the days of Bob Wills and Cains Ballroom in Oklahoma to John Travolta and Gilleys of Houston, Texas. Each chapter provides information on the historical roots of the most popular country and western dances as well as the pioneers of the music of a particular era, all in the context of changing cultural, social, political, and economic forces in America. The book also examines the seminal impact of radio, television, and the movies in helping spread the music, the moves, and the good times on the country dance floor.

Social Dancing in America: Fair Terpsichore to the Ghost Dance 1607 to 1900 places social dancing in a historical, social, cultural, and political context. “Social Dancing in America,” is about “real” everyday people. The reader is able to relate each instance of social dancing directly to their own personal lives. They will also have an opportunity to understand the cultural development of their family traditions of wedding celebrations and a connection across the generations as well as an informative historical account that will also serve as nostalgia.

Condensed Reviews:
“Professional architect-turned-social historian Ralph Giordano has transformed his enthusiasm for dancing into an entertaining survey of this popular social activity. . . . The portrait that emerges is not simply a sketch of popular pastimes, but a narrative of debates over religious doctrines and changing mores, as well as the development of new means of communication, media and entertainment. . . . Giordano captures both the enthusiasm and concern these changes caused a variety of people at many times in our history.” - Lawrence Looks at Books: Gale Virtual Reference Library, 2007.

“Social dancing has never enjoyed the cachet conferred on ballet or other theatrical dance forms, sometimes even when it comes to reference books. That is about to change with Giordano's comprehensive study of the subject spanning the centuries in the context of American social history. . . . The text is enlivened by numerous illustrations, including sheet music and dancing manual covers, contemporary images, and period photographs. . . . the general resurgence of interest in ballroom dancing make this straightforward, detail-packed, and readable work an appropriate choice for public and academic collections.” LIBRARY JOURNAL by: Carolyn M. Mulac March 1, 2007 Reference, page 18.

“Giordano knows what he's talking about. . . . Throughout, the lucid and entertaining entries juxtapose sociopolitical events of the day, with their corresponding developments on the dance floor and elsewhere in the culture.” Michael J. Fressola, STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE Sunday, February 04, 2007

“Giordano provides readers with a broad historical perspective on dance as it has commingled with American society throughout the history of the US. . . . This set's strength is in tracing the origins of particular dances and noting their evolution within the contextual fabric of American culture. Entries are written in an accessible style, often punctuated with nicely captioned photographs and/or basic step patterns, leaving readers with a more complete image of the movement involved in the dances as well as the proximity of partners. Commendably, the author includes Native American dance entries alongside those nonindigenous dances that influenced American culture. —CHOICE June 2007

“Who would have thought that the topic of social dancing was so complex and nuanced or that it is so interesting? This beautifully composed, stylishly written examination of the social value of public dancing, as well as its function in reflecting changing values, begs to be read start to finish. . . . The discussions are deep and far ranging, dealing with political and religious controversies that dancing either expressed or stirred up. . . . Highly informative black-and-white period reproductions and photographs extend the text perfectly. . . . This fascinating and readable work is suitable for any large performing-arts collection as well as collections on social history.” — Ann Welton, BOOKLIST July 1, 2007

“Giordano takes a good long look at how we danced, why and with whom across the years from the “Fair Terpsichore” and “set dances” so complicated they required flash cards to country dances, the Virginia Reel, the polka, the cake walk, the two-step, and the much more seriously intentioned Buffalo dance and Ghost dance, followed by ragtime, the Charleston, jitterbug, swing, the Latin dances, rock and roll, disco, breakdancing, and recent revivals of classic dances.” REFERENCE and RESEARCH BOOK NEWS February 2007 Vol. 22, No. 1, p. 98.

Volume Two (November 2006)
This book places social dancing in a historical, social, cultural, and political context. Social Dancing in America: Lindy Hop to Hip Hop, is about “real” everyday people. The buyer (reader) will be able to relate each instance to their own personal lives. They will also have an opportunity to understand the cultural development of their family traditions of wedding celebrations and a connection across the generations as well as an informative historical account that will also serve as nostalgia.

Condensed Reviews:
“Professional architect-turned-social historian Ralph Giordano has transformed his enthusiasm for dancing into an entertaining survey of this popular social activity. . . . The portrait that emerges is not simply a sketch of popular pastimes, but a narrative of debates over religious doctrines and changing mores, as well as the development of new means of communication, media and entertainment. . . . Giordano captures both the enthusiasm and concern these changes caused a variety of people at many times in our history.” - Lawrence Looks at Books: Gale Virtual Reference Library, 2007.

“Social dancing has never enjoyed the cachet conferred on ballet or other theatrical dance forms, sometimes even when it comes to reference books. That is about to change with Giordano's comprehensive study of the subject spanning the centuries in the context of American social history. . . . The text is enlivened by numerous illustrations, including sheet music and dancing manual covers, contemporary images, and period photographs. . . . the general resurgence of interest in ballroom dancing make this straightforward, detail-packed, and readable work an appropriate choice for public and academic collections.” LIBRARY JOURNAL by: Carolyn M. Mulac March 1, 2007 Reference, page 18.

“Giordano knows what he's talking about. . . . Throughout, the lucid and entertaining entries juxtapose sociopolitical events of the day, with their corresponding developments on the dance floor and elsewhere in the culture.” Michael J. Fressola, STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE Sunday, February 04, 2007

“Giordano provides readers with a broad historical perspective on dance as it has commingled with American society throughout the history of the US. . . . This set's strength is in tracing the origins of particular dances and noting their evolution within the contextual fabric of American culture. Entries are written in an accessible style, often punctuated with nicely captioned photographs and/or basic step patterns, leaving readers with a more complete image of the movement involved in the dances as well as the proximity of partners. Commendably, the author includes Native American dance entries alongside those nonindigenous dances that influenced American culture. —CHOICE June 2007

“Who would have thought that the topic of social dancing was so complex and nuanced or that it is so interesting? This beautifully composed, stylishly written examination of the social value of public dancing, as well as its function in reflecting changing values, begs to be read start to finish. . . . The discussions are deep and far ranging, dealing with political and religious controversies that dancing either expressed or stirred up. . . . Highly informative black-and-white period reproductions and photographs extend the text perfectly. . . . This fascinating and readable work is suitable for any large performing-arts collection as well as collections on social history.” — Ann Welton, BOOKLIST July 1, 2007

“Giordano takes a good long look at how we danced, why and with whom across the years from the “Fair Terpsichore” and “set dances” so complicated they required flash cards to country dances, the Virginia Reel, the polka, the cake walk, the two-step, and the much more seriously intentioned Buffalo dance and Ghost dance, followed by ragtime, the Charleston, jitterbug, swing, the Latin dances, rock and roll, disco, breakdancing, and recent revivals of classic dances.” REFERENCE and RESEARCH BOOK NEWS February 2007 Vol. 22, No. 1, p. 98.

(2003)
Throughout the 20th Century, America underwent rapid change, from horses and buggies to the arrival of the Internet. But Americans have always needed time for relaxation and recreation. In Fun and Games in Twentieth Century America: A Historical Guide to Leisure, Ralph G. Giordano discusses the developments of leisure time through the 20th Century and how American culture has intertwined with leisure time.