This history covers swimming from the perspective of an active participant in the organization of the Manhattan marathon swim. The emphasis initially was on New York swims but was broaden to include the whole development of open-water swimming events worldwide. Early English and Austria swims prior to Capt. Webb and prior to Lord Bryon are included. The author includes an analysis of the development of the modern swimming stroke: the American Crawl, along with comments regarding swimming strokes forgotten during the Renaissance. Illustrations and photos abound. The reason Alfred Hajos won the...