Wind, Waves, and Sunburn: A Brief History of Marathon Swimming (Paperback)

~ Conrad Wennerberg (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This 1974 title merges the mental with the physical as it offers a history of marathon swimming. It covers training techniques and the psychology of the sport, discussing what would lead someone to push themselves to undertake such a daunting challenge.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 348 pages
• Publisher: Breakaway Books (January 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558216154
• ISBN-13: 978-1558216150
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #756,736 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dive right in!, June 20, 2000

By	FRED (London, UK) - See all my reviews

At first I wasn't sure whether i'd like this book despite being a competetive swimmer myself. The title sounded pretenscious and overblown. However... reading this bookk gave me an incredible insight into the world of marathon swimming. It is a mix of scientific knowhow (ideal for anyone planning a triathlon style swim) and amazing anecdotes from the author who manages to combine incredible feats with his own cool and stylish panache. In fact it's what one would expect if Kerouac had gone into sports writing instead of travel writing. All in all, i can thoroughly recommend this book to anyone, even non-swimmers, for it's easy mix of anecdotes and stylish sports writing.

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Book!, September 28, 2009

By	Scott Weston Wolford (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

I have read this book three times and have enjoyed it immensely. I am an avid swimmer and enjoy Conrad's thorough history of open water swimming. He gives his own personal insight on the sport, which is a nice touch. I would recommend this book to anyone whether a swimmer or not, but whoever has an adventuresome heart!

4.0 out of 5 stars A New Perspective On Swimming - It Took Me Out Of The Pool, August 23, 2005

By	Y. Zohar (Israel) - See all my reviews

This book is very well written although a little outdated (references to women, training methods,stroke technique,the virtue of fat). I thought I knew a few things about the history of swimming but this book took me into a new dimension. Out of the pool and into the wilds. I never heard of most of the open water swimmers mentioned by the author. Most of the races as well. The author ends his book around 1970 so I am now naturally wondering:
a. What has happened to the heroes of the story after that year?
b. How has the sport developed?
c. Is the author still alive?