Total Immersion: The Revolutionary Way To Swim Better, Faster, and Easier

This book is a good reference for both beginners and advanced swimmers. Explains the science behind swimming in a technical yet simple manner that is easy to understand. I will recommend this to people interested in anything to do with swimming.

This book is way too long and way too wordy. It could easily be about 1/4 the size. I think the content is fine, but quite tedious to read all the babble to get to the point. Also, the book is far too light on illustrations. I recommend skipping this book and get the DVD.

I'm not a big swimmer, but I heard so much about this book that I had to check it out- and I'm glad I did. This book will save a lot of people who are trying to learn to swim better a lot of time. Here's why:

-the book concentrates on swimming technique, correct position, and how you're suppose to feel in the water
-the book gives you drills to reinforce the most efficient way to swim
-the book is very scientific and the info is based on hydrodynamics

The book covers a lot of ground, but the authors writing style makes is go by quickly (at least it did for me). The pictures were good and I thought the explanations of the techniques and the "why" behind them was very understandable. Not sure about the rotator cuff routine in Chapter 16 though- it's kinda long and I'm not sure if some of the exercises like the reverse biceps curl is really necessary (rec. Treat Your Own Rotator Cuff for swimmers who have shoulder issues).

In conclusion, I found the book very enlightening and recommend it to anyone (young OR old) who wants to learn how to swim more efficiently by learning the correct swimming techniques. The author obviously loves swimming and has brought all his years of experience and research into one handy resource.

Commited date of delivery: 22nd Aug 2008. Today is 30th Aug 2008. Product not yet recd.

I am by far much more of a runner than a swimmer and swimming has always been perplexing and a little frustrating for me. I could knock out a half marathon, but swimming 50 yds left me winded and blue in the face. I committed myself to doing the drills wholeheartedly for the last month instead of just swimming laps. I've only been through about half the drills and this morning I decided to swim a lap to see if I had improved. It was like magic! (okay, maybe not so much magic, but still impressive!) If you dedicate yourself to committing the drills to your muscle memory, the improvements should definitely come, especially if you're a lean and densely muscled "non-swimmer" like me.
The author emphasizes balance in the water and the drills essentially break down the swim stroke into its integral components. I bought the DVD to make sure I was doing the drills correctly, even though the descriptions in the book still do a good job. I'd also recommend having someone else read the drill descriptions and watch you to give you pointers on your form.