The definitive biography of one of the most iconic ballet dancers of the 20th century. His intense drive and passion for dance propelled Nureyev from a poor background to sophisticated circles of London, Paris, and New York. His defection to the West in 1961 created a Cold War crisis and made him an instant celebrity. He danced for almost all the major choreographers, but he also made it his mission to stage Russia¿s full-length masterpieces in the West. Sex, as much as dance, was a driving force for Nureyev, and despite being active as a dancer, director and choreographer, he was among the first victims of AIDS. ¿The most intimate, revealing, and dramatic picture we have ever had of this dazzling, complex figure.¿ Photos.