While there have been countless fun books written on square dancing, Squaredance Fundamentals was the first to cut to the chase. There is no interesting history of square dancing, there are no entertaining anecdotes, just the nuts and bolts of how to square dance. The author worked painstakingly with the graphic artist to execute a feat never achieved before in a square dance manual. Revolutionary illustrations show the dancer's point of view, not just the spectators' viewpoint. Dancers can, without turning on their heads, glean from the detailed illustrations exactly what they need to be doing with their hands, feet, etc. Each dancer can effortlessly grasp the material and easily retain it. Renown master caller/teacher, Marshall Flippo, assiduously assisted the author in establishing the very first guidelines for standardized "Basic Maneuvers" which would enable square dancers to dance gracefully with any group, anywhere. This was a true innovation in square dancing not yet available in the late 1960's. Marshall also painstakingly edited this first-of-its-kind book, twice! - to be sure it met the highest standards of accuracy and ease of understanding for square dancing neophytes. One of the greatest merits of this book is its logical continuity, which can be a tremendous aid to both the caller/teacher and the student, regardless of how it is used. New dancers, taking lessons, can go home and review what they have learned in class and prepare for the next, significantly shortening the learning curve. Although a few changes in the names of the calls have been made through the years, it is a simple task to merely write in the current name for the square dance call according to your instructor. But no one shows you better how to execute the maneuvers than John W. Jones with his super simplified instructions and state-of-the-art illustrations in Squaredance Fundamentals - the gold standard for over 37 years.

This comprehensive guide to traditional style square and contra dancing, sometimes referred to as "country dancing," covers both music and style and gives background information on various dance types and calling techniques. Ninety dances, presented in chapters according to type (mixers, progressive circles, contra, Southern mountain style, squares and others), in a wide variety of formations are described with drawings and diagrams for many of the movements. A glossary of terms, a directory of addresses (organizations; vendors of books, recordings and audio equipment; and dance camps), and an annotated discography and bibliography are also provided.