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Mikhail Berkut's ability to tackle every subject from practical as well as an analytical point of view is always remarkable. Be it in his many publications, his excellent and lively Videos on Character and Historical Dance or his approach to choreography and to the many dance students he taught over decades, his refreshing spontaneity and his ultimate knowledge paired with an instinctive way, to make himself understood, are outstanding and are dictated by the rare determination, always to get to the roots of any specific subject within his enormous span of interests.|Therefore, it goes without saying that his newest publication, an extensive investigation of every possible aspect of the origin of mime and dance, covers this complex and far reaching subject matter with incredible detail, with a thorough knowledge of anthropology and all related facts and with the ability to come to fascinating conclusions. Encouraged as early as 1957 by his mentor and teacher Prof.Shatin A.V. at the Moscow Theatre Institute, this work is the culmination of his life long interest for ?the phylogenetic transformation of natural everyday movements, gestures and mimicry into the motions of body language and the performing arts?. His scientific mind created an overall structure of two parts: Natural Motion dealing with the Genesis of Communication and the Evolution of Mimetic Culture and Artificial Motion dealing with Sacred Ceremonies and Secular Events as well as Ritual Dance as a Key Social Activity. This allows him to confront the reader with the tiniest detail in an ingenious and logical order. Well illustrated and despite the nature of the subject matter easily accessible and based on the newest scientific evidence, this comprehensive work fills an important gap within the relevant literature. It is a must for all dance related organisations as well as for scientists in various fields.?|http://www.berkutdance.com/books.html