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Description
Strokes of GeniusDive into the captivating world of swimming with Eric Chaline's exploration, 'Pleasure Beckons at the Water's Edge.' This BRAND NEW title (ISBN: 9781780238197) published by Reaktion Books in 2017 is perfect for swimming enthusiasts and cultural historians alike. Chaline's work elegantly deciphers the rich history of swimming from its early roots in prehistory to its development into an integral leisure activity and competitive sport. The book uncovers
Dive into the captivating world of swimming with Eric Chaline's exploration, 'Pleasure Beckons at the Water's Edge.' This BRAND NEW title (ISBN: 9781780238197) published by Reaktion Books in 2017 is perfect for swimming enthusiasts and cultural historians alike. Chaline's work elegantly deciphers the rich history of swimming from its early roots in prehistory to its development into an integral leisure activity and competitive sport. The book uncovers the profound connections between swimming and various aspects of human life, including religious rituals, trade, warfare, and even medicine.Throughout this engrossing narrative, swimming emerges as a powerful symbol of not only leisure and endurance but also adventure, exploration, and excellence. This book delves into the physicality and sensuality of swimming, revealing how these elements might have influenced human evolution. Wild swimmers celebrate swimming as a pathway to spiritual awakening, highlighting the discipline and mental clarity that this water-based activity can foster.
Whether you are looking to understand swimming's cultural significance or embrace its transformative power, this book captures the fluid currents of our aquatic heritage and future. Perfect as a gift or for personal exploration, it reinforces swimming as a key component of human experience across time.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9781780238197
Year: 2017
Publisher: Reaktion Books
Description:
'Pleasure beckons at the water's edge.'
With these words, Eric Chaline celebrates the physicality and sensuality of swimming —attributes that might have contributed to the evolution of the human species. Chaline's comprehensive account surveys swimming from prehistory to the present day. He decodes the earliest human myths to reconstruct swimming's prehistory and history; he explains its role in religious rituals, trade and manufacture, warfare and medicine, and chronicles its transformation into the leisure activity and competitive sport that together have made it the most commonly practiced physical pastime in the developed world.
Swimming is now a cultural marker that stands for eroticism, leisure, endurance, adventure, exploration, and excellence, and latterly, like other disciplines that use repetitive movements to discipline the body and still the mind, it is held by wild swimmers to be a lane to spiritual awakening —one stroke at a time. There is no single story of human swimming, but many currents that merge, diverge, and remerge towards a future in which our survival may depend on our ability to adapt to life in an aquatic world.
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4.6 ★★★★★
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Product Reviews
★★★★★ 5
Great sequel
Format: Kindle
I liked that this book was fast paced and more background for the main characters was provided. I love the voice of this author as it is poetic, honest, and stirring. It drags a little bit towards the end but otherwise it is pretty good!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2026
★★★★★ 3
No plot or character progression.....
Format: Hardcover
Tahereh Mafi’s Release Me was a very mixed reading experience for me, landing at a solid 3 stars overall. While the book is undeniably entertaining and packed with action, it also suffers from major pacing and development issues that kept me from fully connecting with the story.
The biggest highlight, without question, was the return of the original characters. Kenji and Warner absolutely carried this book from beginning to end. Their banter, personalities, and presence brought back the charm and emotional attachment that made the original series so addictive. Every scene involving them felt comforting and familiar, almost like coming home after being away for a long time. Juliette’s appearances and the dynamic between the older cast members were easily the strongest aspects of the novel.
Unfortunately, I struggled heavily with Rosabelle and James. Their relationship felt repetitive and emotionally stagnant, with so much focus placed on their “doomed” and forbidden romance that it often overshadowed the larger conflict happening around them. There was constant back-and-forth between Rosabelle trying to escape, James making frustrating decisions, and Warner cleaning up the chaos. At times, it genuinely felt like the plot was moving in circles.
What makes this book frustrating is that so much technically happens, yet by the end it somehow feels like nothing truly changed. Character arcs barely progressed, relationships remained in the exact same place they started, and several storylines felt oddly untouched. Juliette is still pregnant, we still know very little about what comes next for many of the characters, and even fan-favorite dynamics like Kenji and Nazeera barely received meaningful development.
That said, I can’t deny that the book was compulsively readable. There were moments where I genuinely could not put it down because the pacing and action kept things moving quickly. The dialogue and humor between the characters carried much of the entertainment value, and the nostalgia factor played a huge role in keeping me invested. If I hadn’t already loved these characters from previous books, though, I honestly don’t think this story would have worked nearly as well for me.
Ultimately, Release Me feels like the definition of “no plot, just vibes.” It’s entertaining, nostalgic, and full of beloved characters, but lacks the meaningful progression and emotional payoff I was hoping for. Fans of the original series will likely still enjoy revisiting this world, but readers looking for strong plot advancement or major character growth may leave feeling a little unsatisfied.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Perfect plumper for under eyes.
Color: Collagen
I absolutely love the moisturizing effect these have under my eyes. My undereye skin appears plumper making the fine lines show less for at least 5 hours. The skin also feels much softer. These are absolutely a great value for the money. I will be buying these again. Perfect for a morning you wake up with puffy eyes and need to get put together quick because they made my eyes look amazingly rested and took all the puffiness away in 10 mins.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2026
★★★★★ 5
I really like this product!
Color: Collagen
I tried these eye patches that stick right under the eyes, and overall they’re really convenient and easy to use. They adhere well to the skin without sliding around, which makes it simple to wear them while relaxing or getting ready. After using them, my under-eye area felt more hydrated and looked a bit brighter and less puffy. The cooling effect was also soothing, especially when I kept them in the fridge before applying. They didn’t cause any irritation, which is a big plus for sensitive skin.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Truly impressive
Color: Collagen
I am really impressed with this brand.. Biodance.
These collagen peptide eye patches are great for around my eyes and also those pesky laugh lines. Just after a couple of days I’ve seen a noticeable improvement. They have a very nice feel on your face, no skin, irritation, and great value!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2026