Why We Swim

This book is beautifully. written. It’s lyrical.. It’s meaningful to me as someone who loved to swim (though I had a rocky road learning) and who has always loved the water. Water and trees, in my case. Even if swimming was not something that appeals to me I would have enjoyed this book.

It's a book to savor.

The structure of the book works well: the chapters, sections, text within chapters, literary and other references, people’s stories.

As a vegan I could have done without the present day abalone diving, fishing, etc. but even though I didn’t fully enjoy those parts this was still a 5 star book for me.

Great quote: (about swimming, and about books) “It’s like reading books—when you’re in it, you’re not in the world show more outside”

This book must have been great fun to write. I would have enjoyed writing it as much I did reading it. The interviews, travel, (thorough) research, swimming, and musing were intriguing and powerful.

I loved the San Francisco Bay Area parts local for me and the armchair traveling too.

Read for my real world book club.

Highly recommended! show less

A lifelong, passionate swimmer, Tsui in this book examines the simple act of swimming, exploring its oldest mentions in historical documents, researching the contemporary history of swimming for recreation and competition, uncovering its physiological and medicinal benefits, and interviewing people whose lives have been touched by the sport.

Though I had added this book to my list based on a review I'd read several years ago, I honestly was expecting something kind of dry and niche, but this book spoke to me. (To be fair, perhaps it is still niche but just so happens to be my niche.) Tsui's passion for swimming spoke to my heart. I, too, spent more time in water than out of it in my youth and have always felt at home in the water, but I show more haven't realized how much I miss it until I read this book. I appreciated learning more about the sport's history and the ways in which it is a integral part of many cultures around the world. I found this book uplifting and inspirational. show less

I grew up swimming competitively and still find great pleasure being in the water. Reading about the history of swimming, its cultural meanings, and the different ways people approach it made me see my favorite sport in a whole new light.

One of my more favorite recent swimming memories is swimming across Uncas Pond (or Lake) in Lyme, Connecticut. Only 200 yards across from the small park to the far shore, but challenged when dating my now-wife was told it was something they did as kids. I was determined to do it, then swim back. The lake was entirely placid, with a small breeze. I probably did it twice, then once towing her on a raft from one shore, then back. I didn't know how deep it was. Didn't matter. Just swam a slow breaststroke where I had my sunglasses on the whole time and just liked being able to say that I did it. It was a calm, serene experience, and certainly memorable.

It's kind of that reason that I was interested in reading this book. It's prominently show more described as a "love letter to water," but it was not one that I shared. This book didn't resonate with me, and often times felt like I was reading a rough draft as many parts flowed oddly and didn't really seem to gel.

There were various parts I found interesting, especially the parts about the swimming lessons in Baghdad and the more obvious parts of the fisherman who fell off of his boat and swam back to the shores of Iceland. I also was much more engaged during the parts of Nihon Eiho.

There's an interesting part of Blowing My Cover: My Life as a CIA Spy by Lindsay Moran, who talks about swimming in the dingy and neglected pools of poorer Eastern Europe where she swims, perhaps reluctantly, but she still did. I guess that's more of why I was wondering what the answer would be to "Why We Swim."

This book is merely OK according to my own tastes. Maybe if you're a more-avid swimmer than I am it will resonate with you better. show less

Tsui's writing here touches on many genres and disciplines, and the interweaving makes for a strong piece. I listened to Why We Swim as I drove to and from lifeguarding classes, to get certified again after 30 years. The stories of the Baghdad Swim Club, nomadic sea divers, and the Icelandic fisherman reminded me of my inspiration to teach swimming and keep swimmers safe.

For anyone who swims or loves being in or around water or has a Philosophic bent in looking at sports and life, this is a must read! Great history of swimming and swim competition. Also if you're a parent that maybe doesn't swim or never learned this might motivate you to make sure your children learn to swim and love to be in and around water. The author brings so many aspects of life and swimming together introducing many amazing, interesting people and helping the reader see many different aspects of it including scientific studies.

Bonnie Tsui presents interesting stories about swimming and the benefits of swimming. What I fail to see in this book is the constant danger of swimming in outdoor bodies of water. Ms. Reid talks of swimming from the coast of San Francisco to Alcatraz Island and calmly skips over the dangerous water. She also talks of swimming in sub zero water during the winter. Again, the dangers seem minor. The benefits of swimming outweigh the disadvantages. The joy and pleasure derived from swimming show how this exercise brings more advantage than running or cycling. The stories involve many popular swimmers in many countries. Swimming heals and provides excellent exercise and moments for meditation. The quotations at the beginning of each chapter show more set the mood for the dialogue. show less