The Complete Book of Swimming

Book excerpt: The all-purpose guide to swimming, for beginners and experts alike, that will help make you fitter, faster, more efficient, and more knowledgeable about this wonderful sport. The Complete Book of Swimming is written for those folks who want to become physically fit and stay physically for the rest of their lives; for folks who are seeking to enhance their lives. There are chapters on the different strokes that provide the “how-to” information people need to get started. Equally important are the chapters that answer such questions as Why should I swim? Why swimming and not some other sport? How can swimming improve my health? How can it enhance my life? How will I become a better person—more vital, more competent, vigorous, sexy . . . alive by swimming? Praise for The Complete Book of Swimming “Phil Witten not only explains the ‘how to’ of swimming in clear, easy-to-understand language, but he also explains the ‘why’ of swimming: why swimming can make you healthier, happier, and sexier, and can make you feel younger. If The Complete Book of Swimming doesn’t convince you that swimming is the best thing you could possibly do for your health, then nothing will.”—Mark Spitz “Finally a book has been written that will put swimming on the map for the general public. Phil Witten combines a storyteller’s gift for creating excitement with scientific knowledge and personal experience. The Complete Book of Swimming is a must read for swimmers (and coaches) at every level, and for anyone interested in lifelong fitness and health.”—Skip Kennedy, Olympic coaching staff, men’s swimming; men’s swimming coach, Stanford University (NCAA champions) “Dr. Whitten has written the perfect all-purpose guide. It’s a useful tool for both experienced swimmers who want to improve, and for rookies who aren’t sure where to begin. The Complete Book of Swimming is an invaluable source for all aging baby boomers.”—Karen Allen, USA Today “Passion arouses passion, and Dr. Whitten surely cannot fail to persuade aspiring swimmers of all ages and abilities that the sport of swimming is the way to a healthier, happier existence. This is a splendid invitation to beginners, while offering a clearer insight to those who have already donned their suits and goggles. The writing is instructive and entertaining, and the illustrations depict the very latest techniques used in the pool.”—Craig Lord, The Times (London)