Jeff WiltseContested Waters: A Social History of Swimming Pools in America

The telling of swimming in public pools, private pools, and the connection to the Systemic Caste System in the USA is a must-read story!

really interesting look at how social class and racial divides evolved over the years in the context of public pools

History of pools in America is as shameful as history of housing or school segregation. This book helps put in context the current exclusionary pool policies as a product of policies out in place 100 years ago. It is a well-written, quick read.

The social history of swimming pools in the U.S. is eye-opening and heartbreaking. This is a must-read book, especially given the social unrest in the country right now. It's well-researched and well-told.

Very informative book. Interesting and a must read--especially if you have young children who are swimmers. Important book because it provides information about the history of swimming pools --that (suprisingly) had little to do with pleasure/swimming, but rather sanitation. This book may help the parent to understand "raudy" behavior among youngsters in swimming pool settings..and may also help parents to temper that behavior in a more loving/understanding manner..given the evolution of swimming pools. ..once parents have a better understanding of the possible uses of pools and all. (a little boring in places..but overall..a great book!

Moving, shocking and inspiring. The author offers an amazing glimpse of America's historical challenges with class, gender and race through a very unusual lens. I really enjoyed how Contested Waters celebrates the innocent beauty of children of all ages playing in water while outlining the perfect storm of complex social challenges that have been a burden to this country from its beginning. This could be the catalyst of a multitude of real conversations and actions that improve American life for all its citizens. Well done.

Who would have thought a book about swimming pools would be so interesting? This book follows the evolution of the swimming pool through class, race, and social changes in the United States. The book is well-written and so interesting that I even read the introduction twice.

As a swimmer since the early 1940's in the Washington DC area, I could relate to the segredation stories in this book. I highly recommend this unorthodox history.

A hugely readable historical study of American culture in the first half of the 20th century. I fully anticipated more of a 'skim-read' as part-research towards a journal article and ended up reading it cover to cover! Utterly fascinating, well argued and thoroughly researched. Highly recommended!

Throughly researched history of public swimming pools in North America. The author gives due consideration to how access to swimming pool shifted and changed over time due to the intersections of race and gender in the U.S. American context. An accessibly written book for those interested in learning how swimming pools have come along in the US., and how their function and symbolic meaning for society has changed over time.