This book teaches front crawl, using a new, highly structured and technical method, which is easy to learn, fun and highly effective. The book is basically divided into three sections: the first 7 short chapters provide the background and theory to the approach; then chapter 8 gives you 6 lessons and multiple drills to move from very simple exercises to a full front crawl. The remaining short chapters gives general advice on fitness, strength and competitive swimming. Having gone through all six lessons now, I do feel far more confident in the water now, and my previously appalling front crawl technique is rapidly turning into something that feels sleek, efficient and fast. The book itself does a reasonable job of teaching you this, albeit with everything outside of chapter 8 somewhat repetitive, only cursory or just unnecessary ballast. I could have done with quite a few more diagrams to help me (the DVD is almost essential in addition to the book, I suggest - or at least check out some total immersion videos on youtube), and actually the drills could occasionally have been explained in more detail. But on the whole I found the book a useful, enjoyable channel to swimming far better. ( )

Total Immersion has made a dramatic impact on how I swim. The concepts, and drills were clear and easy to work through without even needing to see it done in person. All the questions I had about swimming from stretching and hydration to distances and form were all answered. ( )

Excellent book with clear instructions on drills to do to improve stroke. ( )