Description
Book SynopsisThese 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.
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Trade Review
blissful ... an instructive history of a tide not simply turning, but being forced to turn * The Times *
Jenny Landreth’s tale of the swimming suffragettes is a wonderful account of lost stories from the canon of women’s sports history… Landreth’s book brings these stories to the mainstream -- Anna Kessel
Fascinating and full of possibility, it is also properly snort-with-giggles-on-the-commute funny. * Alexandra Heminsley *
If you love swimming you’ll love this. If you hate swimming, you’ll still love this. * Jo Brand *
A brilliantly funny book that made me feel part of a proud and intrepid community of amphibian women * Josie Long *
If this marvellous watery odyssey charting women’s swimming history doesn’t make you want to jump in, I will eat my woollen bikini. * Doon Mackichan *
A wry and inspiring mix of memoir and social history * Melissa Harrison *
Very disappointed. I thought this was going to be a pictorial history of the bikini. * John O'Farrell *
This book will delight you. * Daily Mail *
Swell has the air of one long stand-up routine, a larky dash through the modern history of female swimmers * New Statesman *
A clever, intimate history of personal and female liberation, viewed through a well-fitting pair of swimming goggles... * Kinamara.com *
Curl up with the empowering story of the heroines who made swimming possible for women. ... a must-read * Women's Fitness *
A lighthearted, conversational history, with emphasis on the challenges women once faced just getting in the water, and the “swimming suffragettes” who defied genteel disapproval to claim the right to do so * Guardian *
Swell interweaves Landreth’s own story with a history of female pioneers, “Swimming Suffragettes” who accomplished remarkable feats and paved the way for future generations. * Economist *
With examples of swimming heroines and some truly bizarre swimming cossies plus the story of how the author learned to swim, Swell will make you want to plunge straight in * Red *
Jenny Landreth is a wonderful and hilarious writer, so this is in no way a stuffy account of historic events. She includes her own history of swimming, the 2012 Olympics, the developments in swimwear and, in her own unique way, the psychology behind why we swim * Wanderlust *
Accessible and down to earth, with wonderful asides * The Times Literary Supplement *
Swell is a joyous, noisy, drum-beating celebration of swimming and womanhood. -- Charlie Connelly * The New European *
Thoroughly researched and informative, full of strong opinion and sound judgement [with] spiky, mischievous writing that knits it all together * Sunday Times *
Swell is a wryly funny and seriously inspiring history of women and swimming... she had me at 'waterbiography' -- Lauren Bravo * The Pool *
Witty and illuminating book. * Daily Telegraph *
It’s a pleasure to be immersed in this educative, entertaining 'waterbiography'. * The Observer *
A celebration of liberation, and an essential read for any serious swimmer. * BBC Countryfile magazine *
you will never read a better explanation of why women swim (and dare I say it, perhaps men too). * Swimming Times *
Landreth guides us through the history of the fabulous swimming pioneers and what she calls the swimming suffragettes, women who smashed prejudice and enable us all to swim freely today. * Guardian Review *
Table of Contents
Introduction 1 My Waterbiograhy (Part 1) 2 The Great Outdoors 3 Going Indoors 4 Exceptional Woman (Part 1) 5 The Clubbable Woman 6 My Waterbiography (Part II) 7 Women of the World 8 In Praise of Lidos 9 We Are What We Wear 10 Olympic Flames 11 My Waterbiography (Part III) 12 The Channel 13 My Waterbiography (Part IV) 14 Exceptional Woman (Part II) 15 Why Do Women Swim? 16 My Waterbiography (Part V) Bibliography Acknowledgements Index
