Why We Swim

In 'Why We Swim,' Bonnie Tsui examines the multifaceted relationship humans have with water.

The book is propelled by stories of Olympic champions, a Baghdad swim club, modern-day Japanese samurai swimmers, and an Icelandic fisherman who survived a six-hour swim after a shipwreck.

Tsui, a swimmer herself, investigates what it is about water that seduces us and why we return to it repeatedly.

She explores the therapeutic, communal, and transformative aspects of swimming, drawing from personal experiences, historical contexts, and scientific insights.

The book is a cultural history of humankind’s relationship with bodies of water, highlighting the benefits and dangers of swimming and its impact on human behavior and well-being.