The Black and White of Argentine Tango
Both Sides of Tango’s Greatest Debates
By Dimitris Bronowski
About this Argentine tango book
Why do tango dancers argue so much about a dance that is supposed to be about connection? Close embrace or open embrace, traditional orchestras or electronic tango, steps or fundamentals, the cabeceo or a verbal invitation, tango as a way of life or simply a beautiful hobby. Anyone who has spent time in milongas has heard these tango debates, has probably picked a side, and has almost certainly received advice from one teacher that contradicts what another said the week before.
The Black and White of Argentine Tango by Dimitris Bronowski, “The Curious Tanguero”, does not try to end those arguments by declaring winners. Instead, it presents both sides of each debate honestly, generously and from the inside. For seven years Dimitris has hosted online tango discussions with thousands of dancers, teachers, organizers and DJs from around the world. This book distills what he heard from both sides.
What you will find inside
- More than 40 of the most heated debates in Argentine tango, each explored from both perspectives
- What close embrace dancers are protecting, and what open embrace dancers are searching for
- The history behind milonga traditions such as the cabeceo, the tanda, the cortina and the ronda, and why they were created
- Why tango teachers give contradictory advice, and how to make sense of it
- The values underneath every argument: connection, safety, freedom, respect and belonging
- A closing framework based on cause and effect rather than rules and exceptions, to save you years of confusion
Who is this tango book for?
It is for beginners who feel lost between conflicting opinions, experienced dancers who want to understand the other side of the dance floor, and teachers, organizers and DJs who want to build more welcoming tango communities. If you have ever left a milonga or a tango class wondering who is right, this book offers a calm, balanced way of thinking about the questions that divide the tango world, and of finding your own answers.
Why we recommend it
What makes this Argentine tango book special is its generosity. Dimitris Bronowski has spent years listening to dancers argue online, and instead of joining the fight he gives every side its best voice. Reading it feels like sitting at a café table after the milonga with friends who disagree but respect each other. You will finish it with fewer certainties and more curiosity, which might be the best thing that can happen to a tango dancer. We especially recommend it to teachers and organizers, and to anyone who has ever felt judged for how they embrace, which music they love or how they invite. It is a book that makes tango communities kinder.
This is the latest tango book by Dimitris Bronowski, author of Tangofulness and Tango Tips by the Maestros. Published in 2026, 202 pages, ISBN 979-8186509530.
Worldwide delivery by Amazon.
Simply choose the closest Amazon store to your location:
Amazon in US – Amazon in UK – Amazon in Germany – Amazon in Spain – Amazon in France – Amazon in Italy – Amazon in Canada – Amazon in Japan – Amazon in Australia – Amazon in Netherlands – Amazon in Poland – Amazon in Sweden – Amazon in Belgium – Amazon in Ireland – Amazon in Brazil – Amazon in India – Amazon in Mexico – Amazon in Singapore – Amazon in UAE – Amazon in Saudi Arabia
Available languages
English: The Black and White of Argentine Tango (Amazon US)
Spanish: El blanco y negro del tango argentino (Amazon Spain)
Italian: Il bianco e nero del tango argentino (Amazon Italy)
German: coming soon
What readers say on Amazon
Verbatim 5-star customer reviews from Amazon
Excellent book!
This book is Excellent! Very well written, easy to read, and hard to put down. I’ll be reading it again, several times. I liked the writing style and points so much I recommended it to a few friends.
À se procurer, absolument
Livre exceptionnel, tout ce que vous devez savoir sur les différents points de vue, avec un argumentaire solide, sur l'ensemble des sujets reliés au tango argentin. Quelque soit votre niveau de connaissance sur le monde du tango argentin, vous y trouverez votre compte.
A refreshingly nuanced look at tango's biggest debates
What stood out to me about The Black and White of Argentine Tango was how fairly it presents both sides of some of tango's biggest debates. Instead of telling me what to think, it helped me understand why dancers hold such different opinions.
What I appreciated most was that the book encouraged me to reflect on my own views rather than simply accept someone else's. I finished it with a much deeper appreciation of tango's complexity and culture.
I would recommend it to anyone who wants to better understand not just how people dance tango, but how they think about it.
Goed uitgebalanceerde analyse
Goed uitgebalanceerde analyse van standpunten waarmee iederectabgodanser te maken krijgt.
Recommended tango books:
Tango Tips by the Maestros
More than 40 world tango champions, judges of the mundial de tango, and experienced teachers came together to create this 250 pages book. The result: the world’s best collection of tango advice.
Tangofulness
A book tailored for readers who are looking for greater connection in tango. Simple, straightforward, and funny, this book will help you decipher connection, awareness, and meaning in tango.
Hug and Let Go
"Hug and Let Go" is a tender exploration of human connection. These poems delve into the themes of connection, empathy, trust, and the poignant act of letting go, all within the rich and sensual world of tango.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided 'as is' and is subject to change or removal at any time. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.
Explore argentine tango books recommendations by other readers here.
Get tango book recommendations by email here:
Spread the word
Recent Comments