Born in the slums of Buenos Aires in the last decades of the 19th century, the tango has survived for more than a hundred years. Today it is the focus of a new cult in the Americas, Europe, the Pacific basin and Japan. In this book, four experts on the dance from Europe, North America and Latin America explore the history of the tango from its beginnings to the present day. Its roots are traced to Argentina and its rise from the brothels of Buenos Aires is charted. The tango craze of the early 20th century in Europe and North America is discussed, along with the dance's peak years in Argentina between 1920 and 1940. Finally, the popularity of the dance in recent times is assessed, looking at the wider arena of literature, films and the arts. The book also contains the lyrics of some of the most celebrated tango songs, with a list of CDs available.