Swell: A Waterbiography the Sunday Times Sport Book of the Year 2017 Contributor(s): Landreth, Jenny (Author) |
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ISBN: 1472938968 ISBN-13: 9781472938961 Publisher: Bloomsbury Sport
WE WILL NOT BE UNDERSOLD! Click here for our low price guarantee Binding Type: Paperback - See All Available Formats & Editions Published: May 2018 |
Additional Information |
BISAC Categories: - Sports & Recreation | History - Sports & Recreation | Swimming & Diving - Biography & Autobiography | Personal Memoirs |
Dewey: 797.210 |
Physical Information: 0.8" H x 5.1" W x 7.7" L (0.50 lbs) 336 pages |
Themes: - Sex & Gender - Feminine |
Features: Price on Product |
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
Publisher Description: These 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. Swell is a joyful hymn to the sport and an exploration of why swimming attracts so many women. Ultimately, it is a book dedicated to our brilliant swimming foremothers who collectively made it possible for any woman to plunge in with alacrity, anywhere we choose. |
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