Gold in the Water

A very readable book that provides a realistic picture of the dedication and struggles of Olympic aspirants.  Certainly this would be of greatest interest to swimming fans, though I did not know any of the swimmers who were featured in the book, yet still found it engrossing.  The book is quite interesting in its depiction of the different swimmer-coach relationships, in the astonishing commitment that is required for such high-level training and the kinds of mental and physical events that can so easily disrupt the training.  Inevitably, it's a story of some partially-fulfilled success and a great deal of deep disappointment.  The coach who is profiled here, Dick Jochums, is totally committed to his swimmers and aims to teach them that the struggle for Olympic success is a worthy endeavor whether achieved or not, because it is essentially training for how to live one's life - with full commitment and satisfaction obtained by giving your utmost, regardless of the outcome.