I hate to use the phrase "instant classic" but that is what it is. Beautifully and honestly written but also providing a last look at a countryside and way of life we regrettably left behind in the last century.

Impossible to look at a river, stream or loch in the same way again.


sublime   March 9, 2000
 18 out of 20 found this review helpful

this is such an engaging, enlightening read. Several times I just wanted to put it down and go and find a river. Instead I went to the Croatian coast and just spent as much of the summer as I could in the water. The book's a minor life changer for me. He even got me reading Iris Murdoch. Infinite stars for Mr Deakin


The best (and strangest) book I've read in quite a while.   March 7, 2000
 17 out of 18 found this review helpful

Such a wonderful book! Layers of reasons to love it. He captures landscape, describes the physical allure of swimming, it's funny, interesting and beautifully written. Gathers and celebrates the numerous reasons why humans are so drawn to water.

In the unlikely event of me being invited on Radio 4's "A Good Read", this is the book I'd take along. Confidently.

I can't speak highly enough of it. And I only picked it up on a whim in a bookshop.


Natural Baptism   December 7, 1999
 7 out of 7 found this review helpful

A beautifully written book. Roger Deakin takes us on a swimming odyssey through the rivers of the U.K. and reminds us of the neglected pleasures derived from immersing oneself in our waterways. His intelligent writing also has room for descriptive views of the surrounding flora and fauna,local landscapes,river history and manages to raise a few interesting debates along the way. Makes you impatient for the summer.