This is the story of Charles Joscelyne, a middle-aged, lifelong aquaphobe, who after many failed attempts finally learns how to swim, but what started out as a mere physical challenge soon becomes an obsession as swimming and things aquatic begin to possess Charles' psyche. Not to be undone, Charles channels his new found passion into an exploration of his past. Much more than a how to do book, Crossings: A Swimmer's Memoir is a study of one person's life through what might be called "water's lens." From Key West to the Great Lakes to Thoreau's Walden Pond to the Jersey Shore, Charles swims back into his past to gain a unique perspective on his life as a father, husband, teacher, and coach. Rife with nostalgia, wit, and humor Crossings: A Swimmer's Memoir is a lyrical and worthy addition to not only the swimming literature, but also the personal narrative.