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.
Moby-Dick is a novel that tells the story of Captain Ahab's maniacal quest for revenge against Moby Dick, the giant white sperm whale that bit off his leg. Narrated by Ishmael, the story follows the crew of the whaling ship Pequod as they embark on a journey that explores themes of obsession, man vs. nature, and the existential questions of good and evil. The novel is rich in detailed descriptions of whale hunting and life aboard a culturally diverse crew, and it has become a cornerstone of American and world literature[2][3][5].
In American Chinatown, Bonnie Tsui delves into the vibrant stories of Chinatowns across the U.S., exploring their history, culture, and significance to both their inhabitants and the broader American landscape. The book offers a personal and insightful look at these communities, highlighting their unique experiences and contributions to American society.
This book recounts Cathy Freeman's journey from a little girl who loved to run to a world champion athlete. It includes her experiences growing up in a loving family, her relationship with her severely disabled sister who inspired her, and her rise to the top in athletics. The book also touches on the challenges she faced, including racism and personal losses, and how she overcame them through hard work, self-belief, and the support of her family. The narrative is honest and simple, making it relatable to young readers. The book is accompanied by black and white photos, some of which are family shots, adding a personal touch to the story[2][4].
The Water-Babies tells the story of Tom, a young chimney sweep who falls into a river and is transformed into a 'water-baby'. Through his adventures, Tom learns about moral education, Christian redemption, and social reform, while encountering various aquatic creatures and fairies. The book critiques social issues like child labor and industrial pollution, reflecting Kingsley's support for Darwin's evolutionary theories and his advocacy for environmental protection.
This book tells the story of Sarah Gerhardt, who began surfing at a young age in Hawaii and became the first woman to conquer the Mavericks surf break in 1999. It highlights her determination and perseverance in a male-dominated sport. The book is beautifully illustrated by Sophie Diao and includes a timeline of the history of women in surfing.
Unlike other land mammals, humans are not natural-born swimmers. Our evolutionary ancestors learned for survival. Now it’s one of the most popular activities in the world. So why do we swim? What is it about water that seduces us despite its dangers?
A lifelong swimmer reared by swimming parents, this week’s guest couldn’t shake this question. What she discovered is far more compelling than you might imagine.
Bonnie Tsui (@bonnietsui) is an alumnus of Harvard University, where she did not swim but instead rowed crew—and graduated magna cum laude in English and American Literature and Language.
In 2009, her book American Chinatown: A People’s History of Five Neighborhoods won the 2009-2010 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature and was a San Francisco Chronicle bestseller and Best of 2009 Notable Bay Area Books selection. She has been the recipient of the Lowell Thomas Gold Award for travel journalism and the Jane Rainie Opel Young Alumna Award at Harvard University. In 2017, she was awarded the 2017 Karola Saekel Craib Excellence in Food Journalism Fellowship by the San Francisco Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier. She is also the recipient of a 2019 National Press Foundation Fellowship.
A frequent contributor to The New York Times and California Sunday magazine, Bonnie’s latest book—and the focus of today’s conversation—is Why We Swim. Propelled by stories of Olympic champions, a Baghdad swim club that meets in Saddam Hussein’s palace pool, modern-day Japanese samurai swimmers, and even an Icelandic fisherman who improbably survives a wintry six-hour swim after a shipwreck, Bonnie dives into the deep, from the chilly San Francisco Bay to the South China Sea, investigating the ancestry and essence of water’s allure.
Widely lauded, Why We Swim was named to TIME magazine’s list of 100 Must-Read Books of 2020. It’s also received praise from The New York Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Los Angeles Times, NPR, Buzzfeed, Bustle, Booklist, Kirkus, and more. Beautifully written and completely immersive, it definitely ranks among my 2020 favorites—I couldn’t put it down.
So let’s talk about it.
This conversation is a love letter to swimming—a sport, lifestyle and obsession that Bonnie and I share.
It’s a deconstruction of humanity’s relationship with the transformative power of water—an archeological dig that unearths mankind’s historic and fraught yet undeniably alluring connection with the sea.
It’s about swimming as a means of survival.
It’s about swimming as a conduit for well-being, competition, and community.
It’s about the unique power of water—when combined with breath—to produce that elusive state called flow.
But underneath it all, this is a conversation about why to be a swimmer is to be a seeker.
FULL BLOG & SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/richroll574
YouTube: bit.ly/bonnietsui574
It was an absolute delight to share space and passion with a woman who hopes, as Oliver Sacks writes in Water Babies, to “swim till I die.”
I concur with that idea. This conversation sheds light on why.
Peace + Plants,
Rich
The Rich Roll Podcast 
