Kathy Watson
Kathy Watson
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The author illuminates the life of Matthew Webb--the first man to swim the English channel--and explores the consequences of his resulting fame on his life.
- GenresNonfictionHistoryBiography
288 pages, Hardcover First published January 4, 2001
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Kathy Watson
14books2followers
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3.85
55ratings12reviews
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Percival Milani
Author1 book
Simply the best reference book to understand the facts that led Webb to accomplish his historical deed. An incredibly detailed story. The title of the edition I read was slightly different: "The crossing: the glorious tragedy of the first man to swim the English Channel" - I think my version fits better to his story.
Erin
255 reviews44 followers
This book was engagingly written and well paced. It was an easy and entertaining read, and it was very informative.
- bio-autobio-memoir history-nonfiction
Paul
46 reviews1 follower
The immortal Glory of the First Channel Swim. The Waste of The drowning at Niagara. To quote her last line it “reminds us of the fine line between heroism and folly” Excellent book.
Amy
532 reviews19 followers
You feel like you are swimming right there alongside Webb as he makes his several attempts and finally finishes the challenge. Unfortunately that seems to have been the crowning achievement of his life. The rest of his life is spent pathetically trying to earn a living by making dares to do things, like swim in a tank for days straight. Eventually he goes to the US and tries his luck in some open water races, nothing spectacular. The end is just sad, and I'm left with the question - did he honestly have the arrogance to think he could swim that whirlpool, or did he know deep down that he'd never make it?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Karyl
1,876 reviews142 followers
An interesting look at Matthew Webb, the first man to swim the English Channel. Written by a woman who has swum the Channel herself, she gives insight into how a long-distance swimmer feels after hours of pushing himself through cold, choppy water, until the swimmer's mind and body are at its limit. After his amazing feat, however, Webb was unable to continue to make a success of himself and eventually turned to performing gimmicks and tricks just to earn some cash. The ending is really quite tragic -- such a sad end for the man who single-handedly made swimming a popular sport in the UK.
- non-fiction
Karen Okamoto
73 reviews2 followers
Matthew Webb was the first person to swim the English Channel in 1875. Like Houdini he challenged himself throughout his life, until ultimately it led to his death. Strangely, if you read about Houdini, you can see many similarities; such as the tremendous drive, the competitive nature, the need to up the ante in order to remain well known and famous, as well as earn the money to provide while doing these extreme things. Very good.
- march
Vincent T. Ciaramella
Author8 books10 followers
I really had a good time reading this book. I love Victorian sports and this was another great book in a long line of books I've read. What gets me is how he descended mania not too long after his famous crossing. It's sad really how fame can destroy a person. I wonder if Web was a better self promoter maybe things wouldn't have ended up like they did. I don't want to say more and spoil anything. I will read this again sometime in the future.
Josh
21 reviews
An interesting book about the fist person to ever swim across the English Channel. Captain Mathew Webb lead and exciting life but sadly it ended in tragedy. The author did a great job of pulling sources together to put together a picture of Webb's life.
Avril
131 reviews
This author knows her stuff about the English Channel. She's a Channel swimmer herself. Although this is a highly entertaining read, it's also a tragic one.
Fran
105 reviews3 followers
Interesting background into his life and channel swimming in general. Ending is somewhat sad and dull.
- non-fiction-biography non-fiction-boot-camp
Dawn
134 reviews1 follower
Nice thing about this book is you can skim it and get the jist.
John Samuel
Author1 book10 followers
The story of Captain Webb, a man with massive muscles and a heroic ambition to match his huge moustache. Well told story of the first person to swim the channel back in 1875.
- swimming
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews