I felt more British. The question of what nationality you feel yourself to be is an evolving one and relates to a degree on where you are living.” The identity issues aside, the book is largely about his love for the water and his determination several times to achieve what no man had achieved before. It is written in a manner that encourages others to drive themselves. The reader
the way in which he brings out the dilemma that many face; be miserable in a well paying career or pursue something less lucrative that makes you happy. Page two fifty nine tells you what choice he made: “I was rich in experience but penniless....my three years of full-time swimming had been vastly more rewarding than the years I’d worked in maritime law.”
“The main reason for risking his life swimming in sub zero water was to draw the world’s attention to global warming. As he put it: “You shouldn’t be able to swim across the North Pole. It should be frozen over.” is likely to identify with much of the content as it centres on taking on challenges which is part of any human experience. The quote on the back cover sums it up very well: “Each one of us, however ordinary we may appear, is capable of extraordinary acts. When you believe in yourself, you can achieve the impossible.”
Whereas he had not excelled on the monetary front, Lewis emerged as a champion for the environment. The main reason for risking his life swimming in sub zero water was to draw the world’s attention to global warming. As he put it: “You shouldn’t be able to swim across the North Pole. It should be frozen over.”
I particularly identified with his story about the very beginning of his adventures when the many nay Sayers said he would not join the ranks of the few people to ever swim from Robben Island to Cape Town. He says proving them wrong made this swim the most exalting one. Another highlight for me was
As a result of that swim, he got to speak to highly placed people about climate change including the likes of Tony Blair and appeared on highly rated American TV shows such as Jay Leno’s Tonight Show. Although the book is not a-laugha-minute, there are moments that