• Why We Swim

  • By: Bonnie Tsui
  • Narrated by: Angie Kane
  • Length: 6 hrs and 35 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (594 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Why We Swim  By  cover art

Why We Swim

By: Bonnie Tsui
Narrated by: Angie Kane
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $14.03

Buy for $14.03

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Humans, unlike other animals that are drawn to water, are not natural-born swimmers. We must be taught. Our evolutionary ancestors learned for survival; now in the 21st century, we swim in freezing Arctic waters and piranha-infested rivers to test our limits. Swimming is an introspective and silent sport in a chaotic and noisy age; it’s therapeutic for both the mind and body; and it's an adventurous way to get from point A to point B. It's also one route to that elusive, ecstatic state of flow. These reasons, among many others, make swimming one of the most popular activities in the world.

Why We Swim is 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. New York Times contributor Bonnie Tsui, a swimmer herself, dives into the deep, from the San Francisco Bay to the South China Sea, investigating what it is about water - despite its dangers - that seduces us, tempting us to come back to it again and again.

©2020 Bonnie Tsui (P)2020 Dreamscape Media, LLC

What listeners say about Why We Swim

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    371
  • 4 Stars
    145
  • 3 Stars
    57
  • 2 Stars
    15
  • 1 Stars
    6
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    343
  • 4 Stars
    106
  • 3 Stars
    27
  • 2 Stars
    6
  • 1 Stars
    2
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    305
  • 4 Stars
    104
  • 3 Stars
    58
  • 2 Stars
    11
  • 1 Stars
    4

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Still learning about swimming!

I have been a swimmer for over 50 years, and love the water. This book shared new thoughts, history and observations and is a must read for my water family! I found myself reminiscing about lakes, oceans, bays and pools of my past.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Love Affair with Water

Bonnie Tsui puts into words the feelings and connections I've felt with water and swimming my whole life. It was validating to hear someone else talk like this. The book also looks at ideas and history connected to water that I hadn't considered before. Many of the stories are delightful and inspiring, others somber and mindful. It's a survey of some of the most incredible ways in which humans relate to water.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

This is your book if you love water

A must for the love of swimming stories and powerful insights about the meaningful lessons of water and swimming.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

excellent read

excellent read, interesting and inspirational
loved the science, global, folklore and historical references Thanks

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Incredible listen

The stories and history of swimming are fantastic. Learned so many interesting things about a sport I’ve participated in for years.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

My Gratitude

Really enjoyed as a swimmer mi really relate to many things in the book. Thanks Bonnie Tsui, and Angie Kane.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

If you appreciate water you’ll love this book

This book opened my eyes to many different perspectives of swimming. I’m a swimmer, have been for 70 years, always loved the sport, but this book made me love it more. Like swimming for fun? Or competition? Or watching it? You’ll love this book!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

If you love swimming and the water, you'll love it

I don't often read and listen to books more than once but I will definitely be reading this again soon.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved this book

As an avid open water swimmer this book was so special to me. She put into words the way it feels to deeply connect to the water!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book

A wonderfully written book. She captures all the beauty of swimming. Will look for another of Bonnie’s books.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful