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  • Why We Swim

  • By: Bonnie Tsui
  • Narrated by: Angie Kane
  • Length: 6 hrs and 35 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (77 ratings)
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Why We Swim cover art

Why We Swim

By: Bonnie Tsui
Narrated by: Angie Kane
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Summary

Humans, unlike other animals that are drawn to water, are not natural-born swimmers. We must be taught. Our evolutionary ancestors learned for survival; now in the 21st century, we swim in freezing Arctic waters and piranha-infested rivers to test our limits. Swimming is an introspective and silent sport in a chaotic and noisy age; it’s therapeutic for both the mind and body; and it's an adventurous way to get from point A to point B. It's also one route to that elusive, ecstatic state of flow. These reasons, among many others, make swimming one of the most popular activities in the world.

Why We Swim is propelled by stories of Olympic champions, a Baghdad swim club that meets in Saddam Hussein's palace pool, modern-day Japanese samurai swimmers, and even an Icelandic fisherman who improbably survives a wintry six-hour swim after a shipwreck. New York Times contributor Bonnie Tsui, a swimmer herself, dives into the deep, from the San Francisco Bay to the South China Sea, investigating what it is about water - despite its dangers - that seduces us, tempting us to come back to it again and again.

©2020 Bonnie Tsui (P)2020 Dreamscape Media, LLC

What listeners say about Why We Swim

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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic book for the swimmer

I'm a frequent outdoor swimmer, and love the head space and fitness that comes with the activity. This book captures and explores that. The writing is engaging, and the narrator's performance captures the style well.

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Wonderful

This was a glorious read & essential reading for water babies X X X X

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Sublime evocation of what it means to swim

I listened over the course of three runs, which is what I like to do when I'm not swimming. It's an easy listen with a lovely balance of fact, personal experiences and poetic insight into the state of flow that swimming can sometimes induce. Having just signed up for the Polar Bear Challenge, I expect I will be returning to this book over the coming winter.

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    4 out of 5 stars
  • ka
  • 17-04-20

great book for all who love to swim

I finished the audiobook in two days.
beautifully performed and easy to listen to.
had been looking forward to this book/audiobook since I first heard of it



would have loved to hear more about the sport science of swimming


thanks to the author for making this book



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    4 out of 5 stars
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Beautiful stories

Soul swimming with this beautiful book has been an amazing use of time and has been inspiring and an act of remebering

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

An interesting listen

A look at the phenomenon of swimming and the human relationship with the water. Discusses historic accounts of swimming, physiological responses to swimming, peoples experiences learning to swim, physical feats and philosophy, Notable mentions of swimming in literature and cultural variations and relationships with swimming and the water.

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Pretty good

Generally enjoyed this, but clearly written for mainly American audiences. Apart from a couple of quotes all temperatures are only given in Fahrenheit, which is meaningless for the rest of the world!

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    4 out of 5 stars
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For all swimmers

An interesting listen for all swimmers, it includes inspirational personal stories as well as historical and cultural aspects of swimming. Well narrated too.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Lovely book

A compelling book and well narrated. I could not stop thinking about going swimming throughout.

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Beautiful

love this book. I know I will listen to it again. wonderful! I highly recommend.

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