WHY WE SWIM

Angie Kane captures the immersed and meditative feeling of being in the water as she narrates Bonnie Tsui's memoir/cultural history of swimming. Like meditation, Kane generates a calm and focused awareness. In a smooth, clear voice and a tone of authenticity, Kane propels listeners along Tsui's personal journey--from her parents' introduction at a swimming pool in Hong Kong through her childhood swimming competitions and her first swim in San Francisco Bay in 56-degree water without a wet suit. She interviews other fascinating people as well, Olympic swimmers, long-distance swimmers, and survivors of shipwrecks. Also included are Kim Chambers, who completed the Oceans Seven marathon swim challenge after a serious injury, and U.S. military personnel who taught swimming in Saddam Hussein's swimming pool. A.B. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2020]