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Waterlog

The book that inspired the wild swimming movement

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Waterlog

By: Roger Deakin
Narrated by: Roy McMillan
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Brought to you by Penguin.

Roger Deakin set out in 1996 to swim through the British Isles. The result a uniquely personal view of an island race and a people with a deep affinity for water. From the sea, from rock pools, from rivers and streams, tarns, lakes, lochs, ponds, lidos, swimming pools and spas, from fens, dykes, moats, aqueducts, waterfalls, flooded quarries, even canals, Deakin gains a fascinating perspective on modern Britain. Detained by water bailiffs in Winchester, intercepted in the Fowey estuary by coastguards, mistaken for a suicude on Camber sands, confronting the Corryvreckan whirlpool in the Hebrides, he discovers just how much of an outsider the native swimmer is to his landlocked, fully-dressed fellow citizens.

Encompassing cultural history, autobiography, travel writing and natural history, Waterlog is a personal journey, a bold assertion of the native swimmer's right to roam, and an unforgettable celebration of the magic of water.

© Roger Deakin 1999 (P) Penguin Audio 2020

 Ecosystems & Habitats Environmentalists & Naturalists Nature & Ecology Outdoors & Nature Professionals & Academics Science Sports Water Sports Western Europe Swimming Heartfelt
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Critic reviews

I jumped in with both feet and wanted to stay for more.
Erudite, funky and passionate, a total delight
Charmingly and elegantly written
A delicious, cleansing, funny, wise and joyful book, so wonderfully full of energy and life. I loved it
Highly entertaining...Waterlog is a book about a cold, wet subject written with a warmth and passion it surely deserves, but has rarely had before
A wonderful and romantic tale told by a true English eccentric...think Ratty, think Mole, think three men falling out of a boat...enchanting
A travel book like no other, it is rich and deep with insights on modern Britain
Deakin has written an aquatic Songlines.
Roger Deakin is the perfect companion for invigorating armchair swim. Engaging, thoughtful and candid, he also has a wonderful eye
A brilliant and compelling view of Britain from a few inches above its neglected waterways
All stars
Most relevant
I love this book. I am now a swimmer who loves to swim "in the wild". This book is partly the reason. It sparked something within me and now I go back to reading it when I want to be reminded of all the wonderful things about swimming among nature. If you are curious about swimming in nature, read it. You may surprise yourself!

Wonderful Book

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One of my favourite books written by a writer before his time. If you like this try his other works

Excellent

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Well read and a beautiful book. If you’re a swimmer, a nature lover or an historian- there’s a book here for you. I read it years ago, and it’s been a pleasure to listen to. Highly recommended.

One of the greats

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I loved this book! Roger Deakin writes with such love for water in all its forms, from marshlands, canals, pools and the ocean to waterfalls, rivers, lakes and lochs. as an avid swimmer myself, I can relate to his enthusiasm for wild swimming, though I fail to go regularly and don't have his aptitude for the cold - yet. this has inspired me to make wild swimming a bigger part of my life and acclimatise my body to the cold waters. The actual performance of this audiobook was exceptional, with Roy McMillan doing a wonderful job of capturing Roger's zest for life and injecting the text with even more life.

Fantastic, nostalgic watery adventures

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I loved this book from start to finish. He is a most amazing wordsmith and the narrator brought it to life perfectly. I put the speed down to 0.85 and listened to this book most nights as I fell asleep, sometimes only hearing a few seconds, sometimes a chapter..Its taken me 6 months to finish and I enjoyed every second of it.

Magical

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