Description
In 1926, Gertrude Ederle became the first female to swim the English Channel--and broke the existing record time in doing so. Although today she is considered a pioneer in women's swimming, women were swimming competitively 50 years earlier. This historical book details the early period of women's competitive swimming in the United States, from its beginnings in the nineteenth century through Ederle's astonishing accomplishment. Women and girls faced many obstacles to safe swimming opportunities, including restrictive beliefs about physical abilities, access to safe and clean water, bathing suits that impeded movement and became heavy in water, and opposition from official sporting organizations. The stories of these early swimmers plainly show how far female athletes have come.
About the Author
Lisa Bier is a librarian at Southern Connecticut State University.
Reviews
"An excellent addition to women's sports history collections"-Midwest Book Review; "uncovers the forgotten history of women's swimming...Bier's excellent narrative covers an important gap in the history of women's athletics"-C&RL News; "this book is a joy. It deserves to be read by a wide academic audience but also is readable enough to be given to your friends who are swimmers"-Sport in History.
Book Information
ISBN 9780786440283
Author Lisa Bier
Format Paperback
Page Count 220
Imprint McFarland & Co Inc
Publisher McFarland & Co Inc
Weight(grams) 310g
