Young Woman and the Sea: How Trudy Ederle Conquered the English Channel and Inspired the World

Glenn Stout took a story I had never heard about, and a subject matter in which I had very little curiosity, and made it interesting, captivating and relevant. His in-depth research equipped him with the information to present a fascinating and detailed account of Ederle's historic tale, making readers feel like we are there with her as she is swimming, giving us insight as to the challenges that surrounded her and her motivation from within. Stout has already established himself as a successful writer, especially on the topic of sports, so I wasn't surprised by his mastery in providing such engaging commentary... but I was surprised by how quickly and completely this book drew me in and carried me along, much like the sea did for young Trudy Ederle. With cleverly transitioned segues and several pivotal "aha!" moments, Stout earned my interest, kept my attention and delivered an intriguing narrative that gives perspective on the importance of Ederle's accomplishments and sheds much needed light on her legacy and the overdue recognition it deserves.

If you are interested in swimming and the beginning of competitive women's swimming, this is your book. Well written and I think that anyone from young teenagers to seniors will enjoy it.

I loved this book and referred a number of swim buddies to get it. I loved the way the author wrote the story, weaving it all together.

I was led to this book after hearing it raved about on NPR, At first the author tells several stories, alternating between Trudy's story and fascinating background about the history of swimming, women's sports, and the English Channel. Then in the second half it all comes together. The chapters about the actual Channel swim unfold like a movie. Extremely evocative and moving, I plan on using portions of this book to teach my students, not only about a portion of American history they probably haven't heard of previously, but as an example of narrative writing at its finest. I cannot believe her story has never been told before. What an inspiration!

Trudy Ederle is a Jazz Age name largely forgotten today, but in her day she was a celebrity and embodied what women could accomplish in the postwar era. Ederle is best remembered as the first woman to swim the English Channel, but she was also an Olympic competitor and much more. Glenn Stout attempts to make a compelling story out of the obstacles in Ederle's life, from childhood hearing loss, overcoming the misogyny prevalent in American society in the early 20th Century, and becoming a female athlete and Olympic competitor. Ederle embodied the buoyant spirit of the 1920s and the image of modern women, largely because of her physical presence. At a time when women were supposed to be slender and demure Ederle was almost boyish with her muscular physique, bobbed hair and her engaging personality. A competitor at the storied 1924 Paris Olympics that made celebrities of so many athletes she came in a disappointing third in the 100-meter and 400-meter freestyle swims, garnering a bronze medal, but winning the gold medal as part of the U.S. 400-meter freestyle relay team. Stout recounts Ederle's failed first attempt to cross the Channel in 1925, in which she was disqualified when her trainer grabber her as she began coughing. By this point in the book one of the key problems becomes quite clear and that is Stout's rather leaden writing style. Ederle's life was about breaking boundaries, shattering stereotypes, overcoming serious obstacles, yet Stout's lumpy heavy prose sucks the life and vitality out of Ederle's victories. Her life was a cause for celebration, yet Stout's prose weighs it down. I've read elsewhere of the challenges Ederle endured during her first attempt to cross the Channel in 1925 and what lessons she learned so she could succeed the following year that were far livelier than what is presented here. But Stout plods on recounting the successful second attempt. With a contract from both the New York Daily New and Chicago Tribune Ederle now had the resources to make a second attempt that would prove successful. Stout recounts the adversity Ederle encountered during the swim and even captures little nuances, such as Ederle having a Victrola on the boat to play her favorite jazz records, with Stout even naming some of her favorites. But again that kind of detail weighs things down when it should be a lively read, akin to "Seabiscuit." With her success came the triumphant return to America and the attendant parades and celebrations to honor her achievement. But like so many athletes, Ederle's career after that was marred by an incompetent manager and Ederle was never really able to capitalize on her success and maintain her status. Stout includes her slow fade into obscurity with ease; one of the few times his heavy handed prose lightens. As mentioned the key problem here is Stout's uneven writing. At times leaden, lumpy, and plodding and then at times there are flashes of brilliance. In a better writers hands this mat