Mermaids on Parade: America's Love Affair With Its First Women Swimmers

by Buck Dawson

This book presents stories with interviews and voice tapes taken by more than two dozen mermaids themselves. It is profusely illustrated with glamour photographs from their heyday. The book contains the first in depth interview with Gertrude Ederle in 50 years -- her glamorous yet tragic life as the first woman to swim the English Channel, the single most significant impact on women's liberation. It includes interesting anecdotes and never before published chapters on Esther Williams, Eleanor Holm, Annette Kellerman and Aileen Riggin. America and the world loved these courageous athletes 'Queens of the Rotogravure' who were not afraid to show their feminine side to the camera. While they played hard, they also worked hard to succeed in a man's world. It was the golden age of swimming. These women were the pioneers and role models for today's athletes. These were the first women athletes who dominated women's sport for 50 years (1907-1957) who rose to glory in the Roaring '20's by doing it all; mastering sport in a men's world with grace, beauty and personality. These mermaids made us all want to learn to swim.

266 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1999