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Swell: A Waterbiography
These days, swimming may seem like the most egalitarian of pastimes, open to anyone with a swimsuit--but this wasn't always the case. In the 19th century, swimming was exclusively the domain of men, and access to pools was a luxury limited by class. Women were (barely) allowed to swim in the sea, as long as no men were around, but even into the 20th century they could be arrested and fined if they dared dive into a lake. It wasn't until the 1930s that women were finally, and reluctantly, granted equal access to the water. This is the story of the women who made that possible, a thank-you to the fearless "swimming suffragettes" who took on the status quo, fought for equal access, and won.
Part social history, part memoir, Swell celebrates some amazing achievements, some ridiculous outfits, and some fantastic swimmers who challenge the stereotypes of what women are capable of. It's also the story of how Jenny Landreth eventually came to be a keen swimmer herself.
Swell is a joyful hymn to the sport and an exploration of why swimming attracts so many women. Ultimately, it is a book dedicated to our brilliant swimming foremothers who collectively made it possible for any woman to plunge in with alacrity, anywhere we choose.
Part social history, part memoir, Swell celebrates some amazing achievements, some ridiculous outfits, and some fantastic swimmers who challenge the stereotypes of what women are capable of. It's also the story of how Jenny Landreth eventually came to be a keen swimmer herself.
Swell is a joyful hymn to the sport and an exploration of why swimming attracts so many women. Ultimately, it is a book dedicated to our brilliant swimming foremothers who collectively made it possible for any woman to plunge in with alacrity, anywhere we choose.
336 pages, Paperback
First published May 4, 2014
31 people are currently reading
429 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
November 19, 2019
This was an enjoyable and accessible read about the history of women swimmers. I liked reading about the female pioneers who went against what society deemed "ladylike behaviour". It is astonishing to me how something as simple as swimming could have caused such an uproar in the past. As someone who was on the high school swim team, I am unable to imagine not being allowed to participate because I am a woman.
There is a section in the book where the author discusses how there was a long stretch of time where the only stories about women swimmers were in a mythological context (i.e., mermaids and selkies). I thought this was interesting because it emphasizes how far-fetched of an idea it was to picture women swimming in real life.
One of the main reasons that women were first allowed to swim in the early 1900s was because male doctors thought it would be good for the women’s fertility. The idea that you could enjoy swimming just for the sake of it was not something that was even considered.
The author weaves a lot of her personal life into this book which was fine but it did pull me out of the text at times. That being said, I did enjoy some sections especially her experience taking her young child to the pool.
If you are looking for an introduction to the history of female swimmers and you enjoy a blend of history and memoir, I would highly recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
There is a section in the book where the author discusses how there was a long stretch of time where the only stories about women swimmers were in a mythological context (i.e., mermaids and selkies). I thought this was interesting because it emphasizes how far-fetched of an idea it was to picture women swimming in real life.
One of the main reasons that women were first allowed to swim in the early 1900s was because male doctors thought it would be good for the women’s fertility. The idea that you could enjoy swimming just for the sake of it was not something that was even considered.
The author weaves a lot of her personal life into this book which was fine but it did pull me out of the text at times. That being said, I did enjoy some sections especially her experience taking her young child to the pool.
If you are looking for an introduction to the history of female swimmers and you enjoy a blend of history and memoir, I would highly recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 27, 2019
Swimming seems to be a big thing now days, there are a plethora of books about people finding solace in the waves or ponds around our country, but if you go back far enough you would find that swimming was only a male preserve and rich men only too a lot of the time. Women didn’t even get the choice, being found in the water could lead to fines or even arrest. It took until the 1930s before women were granted equal access to the wet stuff.
In this Waterbiography, Landreth explores the ways that women have pushed to be allowed to swim in the same places as men and how access was reluctantly given. She highlights those women who have taken them on at their own records across the channel and other endurance events, fought against overt discrimination just for the right to swim. In amongst these social battles are some amazing women who would not take no for an answer, some pretty dire swimming costumes and Landreth’s own personal journey swimming in lidos.
It is a really enjoyable book, and well worth reading. Landreth has a seriously dry sense of humour as well as has some fairly forthright feminist views. However, given some of the petty reasons that women were denied that right to swim, you can see why.
In this Waterbiography, Landreth explores the ways that women have pushed to be allowed to swim in the same places as men and how access was reluctantly given. She highlights those women who have taken them on at their own records across the channel and other endurance events, fought against overt discrimination just for the right to swim. In amongst these social battles are some amazing women who would not take no for an answer, some pretty dire swimming costumes and Landreth’s own personal journey swimming in lidos.
It is a really enjoyable book, and well worth reading. Landreth has a seriously dry sense of humour as well as has some fairly forthright feminist views. However, given some of the petty reasons that women were denied that right to swim, you can see why.
August 14, 2018
Such fantastic writing: had me laughing out loud one moment, then seething with fury the next for the injustice women swimmers have had to endure. Even had me thinking swimming the channel was a good idea. (Not for long though!) A great read, and great inspiration.
May 28, 2017
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley to read and review.
We've probably all got a tale to tell about how we learned to swim. My father always told us that when he was a teenager in the Merchant Navy their method was to take recruits out in open water and push them over the side of the boat!
My own experience was much easier - gentle swimming lessons in an open air pool followed by a Wagon Wheel from the tuck shop.
Jenny Landreth tells us her own story. She also gives us a history of swimming and swimming pools in the UK. As so often, Queen Victoria led the way in fashion by going into the water in voluminous outfits via a 'bathing machine'.
I was surprised to learn how late it was before women were 'allowed' to swim in indoor or outdoor pools - this was definitely considered male territory.
I was interested in reading about some almost forgotten female swimmers who did some remarkable feats - often swimming long distances in what would have been the very polluted Thames or Tyne. These women became minor celebrities in their day and drew in the crowds.
The book was slightly spoilt for me by Landreth's overly jolly hockey sticks way of writing and various asides which were not always particularly funny. But overall an enjoyable book.
We've probably all got a tale to tell about how we learned to swim. My father always told us that when he was a teenager in the Merchant Navy their method was to take recruits out in open water and push them over the side of the boat!
My own experience was much easier - gentle swimming lessons in an open air pool followed by a Wagon Wheel from the tuck shop.
Jenny Landreth tells us her own story. She also gives us a history of swimming and swimming pools in the UK. As so often, Queen Victoria led the way in fashion by going into the water in voluminous outfits via a 'bathing machine'.
I was surprised to learn how late it was before women were 'allowed' to swim in indoor or outdoor pools - this was definitely considered male territory.
I was interested in reading about some almost forgotten female swimmers who did some remarkable feats - often swimming long distances in what would have been the very polluted Thames or Tyne. These women became minor celebrities in their day and drew in the crowds.
The book was slightly spoilt for me by Landreth's overly jolly hockey sticks way of writing and various asides which were not always particularly funny. But overall an enjoyable book.
July 20, 2017
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishers for this review copy.
This is part autobiographical and part history! Jenny recounts her tales of how she learnt to swim and her swimming exploits over the years. She also intersperses it with facts, figures and tales of women’s swimming in general. The author pays particular attention to the struggles that women faced when they wanted to go swimming, especially many years ago, and their fight to overcome some of these obstacles. One notable one being the swimming costumes – we’ve all seen the old black and white pictures, costumes down to the knees and up to the necks, maintaining a woman’s dignity at all times! Thankfully attitudes to women swimming today has changed!
Jenny makes this trip down memory humorous and factual. A joy to read whether you love swimming or not! For me, it makes me want to don my one piece and head off down to the local pool!
This is part autobiographical and part history! Jenny recounts her tales of how she learnt to swim and her swimming exploits over the years. She also intersperses it with facts, figures and tales of women’s swimming in general. The author pays particular attention to the struggles that women faced when they wanted to go swimming, especially many years ago, and their fight to overcome some of these obstacles. One notable one being the swimming costumes – we’ve all seen the old black and white pictures, costumes down to the knees and up to the necks, maintaining a woman’s dignity at all times! Thankfully attitudes to women swimming today has changed!
Jenny makes this trip down memory humorous and factual. A joy to read whether you love swimming or not! For me, it makes me want to don my one piece and head off down to the local pool!
January 15, 2018
I really loved this book. I swim, surf & am also a qualified swim teacher. But I knew nothing of the history of women & water. Or of what other women overcame so I could enjoy a swim in a pool or the sea. I took it for granted. But there are still women/girls being deinied the freedom I have (in the Western world) to swim in their countries today. That really makes me appreciate all the more this equality that was fought for by brave & wonderful women before me. I thank them. And I thank the author for teaching me about them. And I hope that women's bravery to teach other women to swim & enjoy water in countries that deny them that freedom continue on their vital mission. Water heals & it should be available to women as easily as it has been available to men.
I recently bought a t-shirt for my niece it says "I swim like a girl, try & keep up." We've come a long way thank goodness. Let's help others on their way.
This book will make you laugh, cry & want to return to passages that resonate to your own waterbiography. Well written & researched. I thoroughly recommend.
I recently bought a t-shirt for my niece it says "I swim like a girl, try & keep up." We've come a long way thank goodness. Let's help others on their way.
This book will make you laugh, cry & want to return to passages that resonate to your own waterbiography. Well written & researched. I thoroughly recommend.
October 3, 2020
This was *such* a lovely book. The author's conversational tone made reading this 'waterbiography' feel like having a chat with a funny, warm friend, as she shares her personal anecdotes about swimming, interweaving them with broader research about the history of women and swimming. I devoured it in under two days.
I am a keen swimmer myself, and it was humbling to find out just how many gutsy, strong women paved the way for me to even be able to set foot inside a pool or jump into a river. If I ever took these activities and access to these places for granted, I certainly won't after learning just how long the journey was to aquatic equality for the sexes, and how this still unfortunately still is not the case everywhere. I feel very, very lucky to be able to do this beautiful thing that I love so dearly, but also a healthy smattering of rage that it was denied to so many of my forebears.
This book is a gift to treasure always.
I am a keen swimmer myself, and it was humbling to find out just how many gutsy, strong women paved the way for me to even be able to set foot inside a pool or jump into a river. If I ever took these activities and access to these places for granted, I certainly won't after learning just how long the journey was to aquatic equality for the sexes, and how this still unfortunately still is not the case everywhere. I feel very, very lucky to be able to do this beautiful thing that I love so dearly, but also a healthy smattering of rage that it was denied to so many of my forebears.
This book is a gift to treasure always.
March 20, 2023
*Re-read March 2023- Still a joy to read. Landreth makes me giggle with her writing style.
Original review: A fantastic, witty, varied and interesting book on the history (both general and personal to the author) of swimming.
Jenny Landreth's text is exquisitely feminist in its recollections of how women have had to fight for equal access to public swimming spaces over the years, and how those first female mavericks came to pave the watery way for the rest of us.
I like the writing style here, it is natural, conversational yet sending a message.
A brilliant book that I heartily enjoyed.
Original review: A fantastic, witty, varied and interesting book on the history (both general and personal to the author) of swimming.
Jenny Landreth's text is exquisitely feminist in its recollections of how women have had to fight for equal access to public swimming spaces over the years, and how those first female mavericks came to pave the watery way for the rest of us.
I like the writing style here, it is natural, conversational yet sending a message.
A brilliant book that I heartily enjoyed.
May 24, 2020
A fabulous book-one of the best I have read. A history of how women throughout the world have conquered swimming through the years, the empowerment gained. Hilarious and informative, inspirational in many ways.
May 5, 2019
For my full review: https://girlwithherheadinabook.co.uk/...
When I am not being Girl with her Head in a Book (and these days, I do not get to be her as often as I would like), I have several other identities and one of those is the Girl who Swims. I love being in the water. Strange though it may sound, for me it feels like flying. So a book on the history of swimming - or 'wateriography' as Landreth proudly describes it - was something which immediately caught my attention. I had no idea that the privilege of getting in the pool is only available to me due to the progress made by feminism. Part memoir, part social history, Swell charts how swimming has changed for women over the past two centuries.Landreth flips back and forth between the social history of swimming and her own personal 'waterbiography'. The main issue that I found with Swell was that I found the former to be far more interesting than the latter. I think we all have a story about how we learned to swim. A few years ago, I unearthed several of my childhood thank you letters and my desperate battle to not drown (and hopefully graduate to the next swimming class at the end of the term) was a recurring theme. During my teenage years, body image issues drove me away from the pool. The frequency with which I swim is a fairly reliable indicator of my overall happiness. The fact that I managed to keep going right up until four days before my son's birth felt like a real achievement. My 'waterbiography' comes a full circle now as I take him swimming too. Learning to swim is a big deal. But as with so many unifying human experiences, we tend to find our own version to be the most interesting. Landreth seems a really nice person but her 'waterbiography' did not grab me.By contrast though, I found the history of swimming to be truly fascinating. Landreth drops an assortment of wonderful watery trivia from the fact that Roman soldiers were obliged to learn to swim with their armour on to the cleansing rituals carried out by Vikings. But then the focus shifts towards women. Indeed, in ancient mythology, women and the water tended to make for a rather deadly combination. Mermaids and sirens luring decent men to their doom in The Odyssey, with Landreth offering a commentary on why exactly men far away from hearth and home might still be looking for ways to blame women for their situation. Then there is the way that witches were tried by dunking, with neither sinking nor swimming being particularly cheery outcomes for the victims. Women were just better off staying on land.Yet even that was not simple. Landreth points out that the newspapers of the nineteenth century were littered with reports of drowned women. Just because it was not ladylike for women to be in the water did not mean that it did not happen and with no swimming coaching available, too often tragedy ensued. Even if a woman was determined to learn to swim, who could teach her? Her fellow females were similarly untrained and that kind of interaction with the opposite sex was inappropriate. People were genuinely outraged if a man attempted to give women swimming lessons. Indeed, there were actual laws against it. Propriety required that nothing be put into place to prevent women from drowning. It's depressing. But not surprising.Even when sea-bathing became more popularised by Queen Victoria, things were still far from easy. The voluminous costumes were not exactly conducive to easy swimming and there were even suggestions that women swim wearing weights to make sure that their clothes did not ride up. Yes. Women were supposed to swim weighed down. It is at times like this that I think of all the people over the years who have tried to earnestly explain to me why feminism is completely unnecessary. If feminism has achieved nothing else than granting me the right to be in the water in attire that is not likely to cause drowning, I think it was still worthwhile. Interestingly, a number of leading members of the suffrage movement were swimming fans including Elizabeth Garrett Anderson and Emily Wilding Davison.Landreth's enthusiasm about the various 'swimming pioneers' is contagious. We share her eye rolls that one of the early female competitive swimmers did a twenty mile swim in a 'jaunty straw hat'. Landreth expresses her frustration about how the focus on women's appearances continues in the world of swimming. Even when people advocated swimming as a suitable activity for women, it was generally encouraged through an appeal to personal vanity 'as if that's all we care about'. Swimming gives a 'wonderful complexion', it is a good way of removing excess fat, it sets the body in good shape for motherhood. What about the rush of being in the water? What about the way you feel after an hour of steady lengths? What about the fact that, when pregnant, going for a swim gives you a breather from the effort of hauling round your unborn child? There is so many more reasons to get in the water than just how it makes you look.Swell contemplations swimming from every possible angle, from the sartorial (costume change), the political (suffragette swimmers) to the philosophical (why do women swim?) Although there were areas which engaged me more than others, I applaud Landreth's book as a wonderful hymn to the joys of female swimming. Now I know that the freedom of being in the water as a woman was so hard won, I know I will treasure it all the more. There are few activities that I find more mindful or quite as liberating - in the water I feel like I have wings and I am thankful for the women who went before who made sure that the way was clear.
When I am not being Girl with her Head in a Book (and these days, I do not get to be her as often as I would like), I have several other identities and one of those is the Girl who Swims. I love being in the water. Strange though it may sound, for me it feels like flying. So a book on the history of swimming - or 'wateriography' as Landreth proudly describes it - was something which immediately caught my attention. I had no idea that the privilege of getting in the pool is only available to me due to the progress made by feminism. Part memoir, part social history, Swell charts how swimming has changed for women over the past two centuries.Landreth flips back and forth between the social history of swimming and her own personal 'waterbiography'. The main issue that I found with Swell was that I found the former to be far more interesting than the latter. I think we all have a story about how we learned to swim. A few years ago, I unearthed several of my childhood thank you letters and my desperate battle to not drown (and hopefully graduate to the next swimming class at the end of the term) was a recurring theme. During my teenage years, body image issues drove me away from the pool. The frequency with which I swim is a fairly reliable indicator of my overall happiness. The fact that I managed to keep going right up until four days before my son's birth felt like a real achievement. My 'waterbiography' comes a full circle now as I take him swimming too. Learning to swim is a big deal. But as with so many unifying human experiences, we tend to find our own version to be the most interesting. Landreth seems a really nice person but her 'waterbiography' did not grab me.By contrast though, I found the history of swimming to be truly fascinating. Landreth drops an assortment of wonderful watery trivia from the fact that Roman soldiers were obliged to learn to swim with their armour on to the cleansing rituals carried out by Vikings. But then the focus shifts towards women. Indeed, in ancient mythology, women and the water tended to make for a rather deadly combination. Mermaids and sirens luring decent men to their doom in The Odyssey, with Landreth offering a commentary on why exactly men far away from hearth and home might still be looking for ways to blame women for their situation. Then there is the way that witches were tried by dunking, with neither sinking nor swimming being particularly cheery outcomes for the victims. Women were just better off staying on land.Yet even that was not simple. Landreth points out that the newspapers of the nineteenth century were littered with reports of drowned women. Just because it was not ladylike for women to be in the water did not mean that it did not happen and with no swimming coaching available, too often tragedy ensued. Even if a woman was determined to learn to swim, who could teach her? Her fellow females were similarly untrained and that kind of interaction with the opposite sex was inappropriate. People were genuinely outraged if a man attempted to give women swimming lessons. Indeed, there were actual laws against it. Propriety required that nothing be put into place to prevent women from drowning. It's depressing. But not surprising.Even when sea-bathing became more popularised by Queen Victoria, things were still far from easy. The voluminous costumes were not exactly conducive to easy swimming and there were even suggestions that women swim wearing weights to make sure that their clothes did not ride up. Yes. Women were supposed to swim weighed down. It is at times like this that I think of all the people over the years who have tried to earnestly explain to me why feminism is completely unnecessary. If feminism has achieved nothing else than granting me the right to be in the water in attire that is not likely to cause drowning, I think it was still worthwhile. Interestingly, a number of leading members of the suffrage movement were swimming fans including Elizabeth Garrett Anderson and Emily Wilding Davison.Landreth's enthusiasm about the various 'swimming pioneers' is contagious. We share her eye rolls that one of the early female competitive swimmers did a twenty mile swim in a 'jaunty straw hat'. Landreth expresses her frustration about how the focus on women's appearances continues in the world of swimming. Even when people advocated swimming as a suitable activity for women, it was generally encouraged through an appeal to personal vanity 'as if that's all we care about'. Swimming gives a 'wonderful complexion', it is a good way of removing excess fat, it sets the body in good shape for motherhood. What about the rush of being in the water? What about the way you feel after an hour of steady lengths? What about the fact that, when pregnant, going for a swim gives you a breather from the effort of hauling round your unborn child? There is so many more reasons to get in the water than just how it makes you look.Swell contemplations swimming from every possible angle, from the sartorial (costume change), the political (suffragette swimmers) to the philosophical (why do women swim?) Although there were areas which engaged me more than others, I applaud Landreth's book as a wonderful hymn to the joys of female swimming. Now I know that the freedom of being in the water as a woman was so hard won, I know I will treasure it all the more. There are few activities that I find more mindful or quite as liberating - in the water I feel like I have wings and I am thankful for the women who went before who made sure that the way was clear.
November 25, 2021
A thoroughly engaging non-fiction story of the history of women’s swimming, indoor and outdoor. As a swimmer, I was pleased to receive this book as a birthday present. I don’t often read non-fiction, but am usually happy with women’s history. Easy to read, I could pick up where I left off, and it often made me chuckle. Sometimes a little too heavy on the patriarchy-bashing, but most of the time I enjoyed it ;)
Would definitely recommend to fellow swimmers, and I feel more grateful (and excited) for each swim.
Would definitely recommend to fellow swimmers, and I feel more grateful (and excited) for each swim.
August 8, 2024
I think I've said this about a few books I've read now, but this is a very niche book. A combination of history, feminism and swimming, which is right up my street. But I can only think of one other person who would read it. I liked learning about the first female swimming achievements, for example, swimming the Thames. I also related to the community of swimming, particularly open water swimming. Jenny's love of swimming (and specifically Tooting Lido) is infectious. Reading this book made me want to jump in the water and even brave a winter swim.
January 10, 2025
I’m so glad I read the audiobook version of this as it really highlights the fabulous comedy of Jenny Landreth’s writing - it really had me giggling to myself at points. So well researched and interesting, pretty delightful.
April 4, 2024
Opens your eyes to how ladies swimming evolved good enjoyable read
June 24, 2024
Dropped a star because the author explicitly prefers lidos to the sea 😂
November 12, 2024
I loved the writing and want to be friends with the author. Delightful ability to capture all the feels of swimming.
Read
October 9, 2021just an absolutely interesting read, social history I was not aware of, I now want to go swim the channel! 😄
August 30, 2017
A very entertaining and funny read not just for swimmers.
Jenny Landreth's personable account of her own swimming experiences interspersed with a social history of female swimmers, their struggles and triumphs leaves the reader with a desire to swim more as meditation and exercise.
Jenny Landreth's personable account of her own swimming experiences interspersed with a social history of female swimmers, their struggles and triumphs leaves the reader with a desire to swim more as meditation and exercise.
December 7, 2017
The last chapter was so moving and hit me on a personal level. Wonderful light hearted, feminist history writing.
May 12, 2018
Shame he dies in the end.
July 12, 2025
Landreth combines her own story of learning to swim (progressing from splashy, barely-making-it-across-the-pool to confident, borderline fanatic cold-water swimmer) with the history of women's swimming.
I did prefer the historical sections, although Landreth writes very entertainingly about her own swimming journey, and I can see why she included her story as a contrast with the difficulties her predecessors faced. I can't say I'm surprised to read that women faced discrimination in swimming, as in so much else, but I was surprised at how fierce and long-lasting the opposition was, and also how bizarre some of the 'rules' were - who on earth decided that it was morally acceptable for women to swim in the sea but not in ponds or rivers?!!
There were times when I felt that Landreth was unfair to some of the women she wrote about in the past - if you are raised to believe that women are designed to fill a very narrow role, it is hard to stand against that, and I think it is easy for us to forget just how much courage our great-grandmothers would have needed to make even 'little' challenges to the way things were. I was also bemused that Landreth appeared to think that 'Mrs Grundy' was a real person!!! That did make me wonder just how thorough her research had been. But overall, an interesting and worthwhile read about a very unusual area of 'women's suffrage'. Next time I go for a swim (without worrying about being banned from the water or told I am 'brazen' for doing a man's activity!) I'll be thinking of those women from the late 1800s to mid 1900s who made it possible.
I did prefer the historical sections, although Landreth writes very entertainingly about her own swimming journey, and I can see why she included her story as a contrast with the difficulties her predecessors faced. I can't say I'm surprised to read that women faced discrimination in swimming, as in so much else, but I was surprised at how fierce and long-lasting the opposition was, and also how bizarre some of the 'rules' were - who on earth decided that it was morally acceptable for women to swim in the sea but not in ponds or rivers?!!
There were times when I felt that Landreth was unfair to some of the women she wrote about in the past - if you are raised to believe that women are designed to fill a very narrow role, it is hard to stand against that, and I think it is easy for us to forget just how much courage our great-grandmothers would have needed to make even 'little' challenges to the way things were. I was also bemused that Landreth appeared to think that 'Mrs Grundy' was a real person!!! That did make me wonder just how thorough her research had been. But overall, an interesting and worthwhile read about a very unusual area of 'women's suffrage'. Next time I go for a swim (without worrying about being banned from the water or told I am 'brazen' for doing a man's activity!) I'll be thinking of those women from the late 1800s to mid 1900s who made it possible.
August 11, 2024
Read as part of our local library's reading challenge, in the category "A large print book". This was a random choice from the non-fiction Large Print shelves, and it proved to be a good choice. Part memoir, part history, this is a fascinating window into some of the pioneers of women's swimming ("swimming suffragettes"), who fought for equality in seas, lidos and pools. In a day when swimming seems like an egalitarian recreation, it was eye-opening to see how open access to the water is a hard-won privilege, and how women were held back through much of the twentieth-century by stereotypes, sexism and specious nonsense. "Why should a pretty girl want to swim the Channel?", as one magazine asked in 1961.
Among other swimming foremothers, it was good to be introduced to Emma Dobbie (the first woman to win a British swimming championship), Hilda James (the pioneering Olympian), Charlotte Epstein (founder of the Women's Swimming Association in America), Gertrude Ederle (the first woman to successfully swim the channel) and Mai Elemin (who pushed for women's access to the water in Islamic Sudan). It was also wonderful to read about Agnes Beckwith, who swam 20 miles in the Thames in 1878, wearing "a closely fitting amber suit adorned with white lace, a jaunty straw hat and fluttering blue ribbons."
Alongside the social history, Jenny Landreth shares her own story of becoming an actual swimmer, and falling in love with lidos. The whole book, memoir and history alike, is written with a sharp sense of humour. I preferred the history chapters to the personal chapters, but they did come together to create a pleasing natational journey.
Among other swimming foremothers, it was good to be introduced to Emma Dobbie (the first woman to win a British swimming championship), Hilda James (the pioneering Olympian), Charlotte Epstein (founder of the Women's Swimming Association in America), Gertrude Ederle (the first woman to successfully swim the channel) and Mai Elemin (who pushed for women's access to the water in Islamic Sudan). It was also wonderful to read about Agnes Beckwith, who swam 20 miles in the Thames in 1878, wearing "a closely fitting amber suit adorned with white lace, a jaunty straw hat and fluttering blue ribbons."
Alongside the social history, Jenny Landreth shares her own story of becoming an actual swimmer, and falling in love with lidos. The whole book, memoir and history alike, is written with a sharp sense of humour. I preferred the history chapters to the personal chapters, but they did come together to create a pleasing natational journey.
May 31, 2022
This fascinating history of female swimming is awash with Ethels, Florences, Bettys - and rather a lot of Fannys (including one Fanny Binswanger, a name you literally couldn’t invent) - fighting for their place in the water.
The Guardian's swimming blogger charts women's swimming emancipation from being 'allowed' to bathe, segregated and basically fully dressed, to competing in the Olympics and beyond.
From lidos to 'leisure' pools and the open sea, she celebrates heroic ladies who bucked the prudery, sexist comments and ludicrous claims of those men (and sometimes women) resolutely opposed to the whole concept of female swimming. There's the Olympian who fitted in training between six days a week of twelve hour shifts in factories, the woman who has swum the channel 43 times, and the generations of girls who were told they were too weak to swim like men and then, upon beating men's records, were accused of being 'more buoyant.'
She also tells her own, very entertaining 'waterbiography' from unconfident splashing in the shallow end to becoming an ice swimmer in middle age, a story close to my own heart.
It's fact-filled and very funny, with a strong authorial voice some may be irritated by, but I enjoyed. And if I hadn’t already taken the plunge last autumn and joined the chilly dippers at the local beach, I’d be packing up my towel as I speak.
The Guardian's swimming blogger charts women's swimming emancipation from being 'allowed' to bathe, segregated and basically fully dressed, to competing in the Olympics and beyond.
From lidos to 'leisure' pools and the open sea, she celebrates heroic ladies who bucked the prudery, sexist comments and ludicrous claims of those men (and sometimes women) resolutely opposed to the whole concept of female swimming. There's the Olympian who fitted in training between six days a week of twelve hour shifts in factories, the woman who has swum the channel 43 times, and the generations of girls who were told they were too weak to swim like men and then, upon beating men's records, were accused of being 'more buoyant.'
She also tells her own, very entertaining 'waterbiography' from unconfident splashing in the shallow end to becoming an ice swimmer in middle age, a story close to my own heart.
It's fact-filled and very funny, with a strong authorial voice some may be irritated by, but I enjoyed. And if I hadn’t already taken the plunge last autumn and joined the chilly dippers at the local beach, I’d be packing up my towel as I speak.
January 2, 2018
This is a mix of autobiography and a history of women swimming.
I enjoyed learning more about the history of women swimming although I struggled to follow all the names - a little listy and dull at times - and after putting the book down I can barely remember anything, but enjoyed it while I was reading. People around me heard lots of, "Did you know..." as I read!
I don't see eye-to-eye with all of the author's attitudes/opinions, but overall enjoyed the writing style. It's been my favourite sport-related book I've read (although the sample size is not big!) and I've recommended it to my aunt. It was nice that it was written by a 'normal' person and not an elite athlete or similar.
While it touched on some modern issues, I would have liked to have seen was more about the current day situation in the UK, such as body positive movements and swimming, and barriers such as acceptance of religious dress in pools and access for transwomen. Things I know a little about but would've like to have read more about and are relevant to the theme.
The biggest positive is that it made me really want to get back in the water!
I enjoyed learning more about the history of women swimming although I struggled to follow all the names - a little listy and dull at times - and after putting the book down I can barely remember anything, but enjoyed it while I was reading. People around me heard lots of, "Did you know..." as I read!
I don't see eye-to-eye with all of the author's attitudes/opinions, but overall enjoyed the writing style. It's been my favourite sport-related book I've read (although the sample size is not big!) and I've recommended it to my aunt. It was nice that it was written by a 'normal' person and not an elite athlete or similar.
While it touched on some modern issues, I would have liked to have seen was more about the current day situation in the UK, such as body positive movements and swimming, and barriers such as acceptance of religious dress in pools and access for transwomen. Things I know a little about but would've like to have read more about and are relevant to the theme.
The biggest positive is that it made me really want to get back in the water!
July 18, 2022
I really enjoyed Jenny Landreth’s humour and turn of phrase. This book’s breadth was interesting: from the early origins of women “being allowed” to swim in public, to discussion of the design and appropriateness of womens’ swimming costumes and excellent celebrations of pioneering and celebrated famous women swimmers.
I particularly enjoyed Landreth’s description of how excluded women were from public swimming baths…“It was sludgy at the bottom of this particular hierarchy of oppression”
She taught me the new term “psychrolutist” meaning lover of cold water.
Of the famous women swimmers,I was most impressed by Charlotte Schoemmell who swam 156 miles down the Hudson River slathered in black axel grease. And she swam around Manhattan island with her brother tied to her back! I was also surprised to hear of Julie Bradshaw who swam the channel in 2002 doing butterfly!
There’s something in this numerous book for everyone.
I particularly enjoyed Landreth’s description of how excluded women were from public swimming baths…“It was sludgy at the bottom of this particular hierarchy of oppression”
She taught me the new term “psychrolutist” meaning lover of cold water.
Of the famous women swimmers,I was most impressed by Charlotte Schoemmell who swam 156 miles down the Hudson River slathered in black axel grease. And she swam around Manhattan island with her brother tied to her back! I was also surprised to hear of Julie Bradshaw who swam the channel in 2002 doing butterfly!
There’s something in this numerous book for everyone.
August 24, 2025
This is a look at women swimming, why they didn't, for years (men), and why they did, and do. I enjoyed the read and learned a lot. I didn't need the author's personal memories of learning to swim and every pool and beach she visited thereafter. I started skipping these quite soon. I also didn't need her opinionated asides, and comments on photos. (Not the Time. or Nice idea but very annoying when the cards get soggy.) The reader is capable of commenting by herself.
We learn about early sea bathing, which wasn't swimming. And why it took so long to allow mixed sea bathing (men) and then to allow women to swim in some public baths, at some times, in groups only composed of women (men). Eventually we get women in competitive swimming and the first woman to swim the Channel.
This is a British based book, but for some of that time, Ireland was considered British, and the Olympics are of course international.
We learn about early sea bathing, which wasn't swimming. And why it took so long to allow mixed sea bathing (men) and then to allow women to swim in some public baths, at some times, in groups only composed of women (men). Eventually we get women in competitive swimming and the first woman to swim the Channel.
This is a British based book, but for some of that time, Ireland was considered British, and the Olympics are of course international.
February 8, 2023
I find this hard to score in stars. I liked it. It told me lots I didn’t know. She made me smile. I agreed with lots she said, although not all. Not sure how I would have felt as a chap. I may look at chaps reviews. I think it’s probably a 3 and a half or even 4 out of 5. No idea really. It made me want to improve my swimming whilst not worrying about it at same time. Actually that’s what I’m doing now so not sure things will change. Maybe she’s just reflecting some of things I’m feeling anyway. However she is nudging me to improve something.
Anyway I’ve plumped for 3 but not sure that’s fair as seems well researched as well as easy to read, not an easy combination to combine as I’ve discovered.
Keep swimming.....That’s what I’ve taken away. Not difficult for me to take that away but she reinforced that and that’s always good.
Anyway I’ve plumped for 3 but not sure that’s fair as seems well researched as well as easy to read, not an easy combination to combine as I’ve discovered.
Keep swimming.....That’s what I’ve taken away. Not difficult for me to take that away but she reinforced that and that’s always good.
September 13, 2017
I loved this book - despite the fact the topic wasn't one that particularly interested me but the reviews made it worth a try. I listened to the audiobook and the author's sly wit was enhanced by her charming accent. It actually tempted me to take a dive into our northern Canadian lake this late in the season and feel her joy of being immersed in cold, clear water. I have always been somewhat embarrassed by really only being proficient at the side stroke which was somewhat mitigated by discovering the Navy Seals swam this way, but Ms. Landreth is correct in that whichever way we enjoy swimming is the right way. I hope she finds another subject that fascinates her enough to write very soon.
October 11, 2017
A welcome addition to the growing genre of waterbiographies (and now thanks to Landreth we have a name!), this book is laugh-out-loud funny and moving, a spirited, personal, thoroughly researched history of women's swimming (primarily British, but in some global context) in tandem with the author's own gradual journey from lackluster compulsory dips to a love of swimming. It is also a love letter to British lidos and the sense of community that thrives there among its swimmers. Landreth's book has me seriously considering a trip to London just to swim at Tooting Bec, the Serpentine, and the ladies' pond at Hampstead Heath.
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