Why We Swim

Why We Swim combines personal memoir with science, history, and cultural exploration to examine humanity's relationship with water. Journalist Bonnie Tsui investigates swimming across five thematic sections: survival, well-being, community, competition, and flow. The narrative moves from Iceland to Baghdad, from the California coast to the South China Sea. Tsui introduces readers to swimmers who have survived shipwrecks, athletes who train in extreme conditions, and everyday people who find solace in the water. Through interviews, research, and her own experiences as a lifelong swimmer, Tsui explores swimming's role in evolution, warfare, healing, and human connection. Her examination of swimming reveals insights about risk, fear, persistence, and the transformative power of immersing oneself in the natural world.

Readers appreciate Tsui's blend of personal stories, scientific research, and historical accounts about swimming. Many note how she connects diverse elements - from survival swimming to Olympic competition to spiritual practices - in ways that resonate with their own experiences in the water. Common praise focuses on the accessible writing style and mix of narratives. Readers highlight chapters about swimming during Iceland's winter and the history of swimming in Japan. Several reviewers mention learning new perspectives about their relationship with water. Main criticisms cite a lack of depth in certain sections and occasional meandering between topics. Some readers expected more scientific analysis of swimming's physical and mental benefits. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (2,900+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (450+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.0/5 (100+ ratings) "Like having a fascinating conversation with a fellow swimmer," notes one Amazon reviewer. "Wanted more concrete research and fewer personal anecdotes," counters a Goodreads review.

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🌊 Author Bonnie Tsui learned to swim before she could walk, beginning her lessons at just seven months old 🏊 The book explores five key themes: survival, well-being, community, competition, and flow 🌟 Tsui traveled to Iceland to interview Guðlaugur Friðþórsson, who famously survived a six-hour swim in 41°F water after his fishing vessel capsized 📚 The book was named a Best Book of 2020 by NPR, TIME Magazine, and the Los Angeles Times 🧬 Researchers discovered a "swimming gene" mutation that occurred around 8,000 years ago, allowing some Southeast Asian populations to dive longer underwater