Swimming in the Sink - by Lynne Cox (Paperback)

About the Book

A memoir from the open-water swimmer in which "we see Cox finding her way, writing about her transformative journey back toward health, and slowly moving toward the one aspect of her life that meant everything to her--freedom, mastery, transcendence--back to open waters, and the surprise that she never saw coming: falling in love"--Dust jacket flap.

Book Synopsis

In this stunning memoir of life after loss, the open-water swimming legend and bestselling author tells of facing the one challenge that no amount of training could prepare her for.

A celebrated athlete who set swimming records around the world, Lynne Cox achieved astonishing feats of strength and endurance. She was the first to swim the frigid waters of the Bering Strait, the Strait of Magellan, and the coast of Antarctica, and she was the fastest to swim the English Channel. But it is a different kind of struggle that pushes her to the brink. In a short period of time, Lynne loses her father, and then her mother, and then Cody, her beloved Labrador retriever. Soon after, Lynne herself is diagnosed with a life-threatening heart condition that leaves her unable to swim and barely able to walk.

But against all odds, and with the support of her friends and family, Lynne begins the slow pull toward recovery, reaching always for the open waters that give her the freedom and mastery that mean everything to her. What follows is a beautifully poignant meditation on loss and an exhilarating celebration of life as, to Lynne's surprise, she begins to find, within the unfamiliar space of vulnerability, the greatest treasures--like falling in love.

Review Quotes

Praise for Lynne Cox and Swimming in the Sink

"Lyrical. . . . Strong, resonant. . . . Many more than just swimmers can appreciate and be inspired by Cox's journey." --Star Tribune (Minneapolis)

"Fascinating." --The Washington Post

"Lynne Cox is a master of storytelling." --Jane Goodall

"Told in straightforward language straight from the heart, Cox's story is a celebration of mindful living and a reminder that few things are ever permanently out of reach." --Kirkus Reviews

"Rhapsodic. . . . In her efforts to recover, [Cox] brings both the unique perspective of an athlete who spent a lifetime exploring her physical limits and the determination of someone who braved painful research into the body's ability to survive the cold. Her journey here proves the strength of her heart." --Booklist (starred review)

"Cox writes with grace and sensitivity. What an amazing woman." --The Philadelphia Inquirer

"Lynne Cox is a unique phenomenon: a champion swimmer who can write about it." --Anne Rice, author of Called Out of Darkness

"Inspiring and engaging. . . . The book is a reminder that even the strongest and most solitary among us require the support of friends and family." --Library Journal (starred review)

"Lynne Cox's heart beats with magical new powers as she swims through the most personal challenge of her dazzling career. This lyrical book is an ode to water, to guts, and--yippee!--to love. Dive in, now, for a most glorious adventure." --Lynn Sherr, author of Swim: Why We Love the Water

"Intimate. . . . This satisfying journey through a world-class athlete's heart-centered crisis is a warm tale of recovery and even finding love." --Publishers Weekly

About the Author

LYNNE COX has held open-water swimming records all over the world, including two for the fastest crossing of the English Channel. She is best known for her swim across the Bering Strait from the United States to the Soviet Union on August 7, 1987. Cox has been inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame and has completed more than sixty challenging swims around the world. Her articles have appeared in many publications, among them The New Yorker, The New York Times, and the Los Angeles Times Magazine. She lives in Long Beach, California.

www.lynnecox.com