In the mid-twentieth century, Latin music was growing in popularity in post-war America, a reflection of the changing cultural landscape when the desire for fun and distraction could be afforded again. Two young dancers meeting in Manhattan’s Palladium Ballroom would wind up at the forefront of spreading these infectious songs and dances across the country and the world, but more importantly, would end up striking a partnership and a romance that would last their entire lives. This book tells the incredible rise to stardom of Augie and Margo Rodriguez, two dancers whose skill and style helped create a passion for the mambo that might not exist without them. More importantly, it chronicles their passion and care for each other as they went from winning dance contests to performing alongside some of the most notable presenters and entertainers of the past century.

The author of this book does a wonderful job of not simply itemizing and organizing the details of this amazing duo’s life and career but also making the scenes come to life with personal details and vivid descriptions. The result reads more like a work of fiction despite depicting real and true events. Whether readers are already familiar with the subjects or have an appreciation or curiosity for this era of culture and music, there’s a great magnetism to the story, including the various sides of “household name” celebrities who worked with Augie and Margo. While successfully capturing the whirlwind rhythm of the music and the nonstop pace of fame and performance, this book also succeeds as it changes tempo and focuses on more intimate and romantic moments between the starring couple, creating a charismatic and electrifying read that warms the heart.

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