Vicki Valosik’s Swimming Pretty: The Untold Story of Women in Water is making a splash as a delightful read honoring the history, glamour, and athleticism of women in the water. The book examines a century’s worth of aquatic performances, spanning from vaudeville to the Olympics, and details the stars, successes, and struggles of swimmers as athletes and entertainers.
Here, Valosik discusses the likes of “Million Dollar Mermaid” Esther Williams in addition to early starlets such as Lurline the Water Queen. From water tanks rolled onto stages to stunning feats on the big screen, Valosik examines the impact and excitement that these performances generated. Moreover, she also explores the topics of sensible swimwear, physical education programs, and the advent of synchronized swimming–from pageantry to an Olympic sport.
This book is highly recommended to fans of classic film, vaudeville, fashion history, and the history of swimming.
Hometowns to Hollywood 