I loved this exploration of why we swim, with some of the stranger stories including a Baghdad swim club that meets in Saddam Hussein’s palace pool, and a shipwrecked fisherman in icy waters. I had never thought about the fact that humans are not natural born swimmers the way animals are, and that we teach ourselves to swim for health or pleasure, and found it fascinating to read about the history of swimming and the reasons we are drawn to water.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher, who provided me with a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really wanted to enjoy this book, but it wasnt for me. I knew it was non fiction but I thought it would be more of a literary description of the authors love of the sea and it just fell a bit flat for me.

I loved reading this book! I'm an ex-competitive swimmer and a current swim teacher, my life is spent around water but this book taught me so much. I found the history, stories and anecdotes fascinating. More importantly, Tsui had me itching to get back in the water.

I've seen some reviews which complained about the level of personal reflection from Tsui, but this made it feel more like a conversation. It kept me engaged and made the book impossible to put down.

I highly recommend this book for anyone with a love for water, or those who may have lost their love - it certainly reignited that passion in me.

Bonnie Tsui has written an ode to swimming .Its calming restorative powers We meet people whose life’s were changed by swimming. The author shares with us her love for swimming that started at a young age and continues till today.A really wonderful read.Second book I’ve read by this lyrical author the first was about Chinatown in New York a book I am always recommending I am adding Why we Swim to my list of special boojs#netgalley#randomhouseuk