Swimming Legacy Review: A Powerful Story of Resilience, Love, and Triumph

Alexandria, VA – Review: Swimming Legacy

Publisher: Expresso Publishing

Author: R.L. Monsheimer

Reviewed by: Ralph Peluso, Literary Editor

Zebra Rating–5 Stripes

John Peters Ferrara arrived into this world several months after his father died prematurely. The untimely passing was perhaps caused from the stress of competing in the 400-meter individual medley, widely considered the most physically and mentally demanding of all swim events, setting John’s life in motion before his birth. R.L. Monsheimer’s book, Swimming Legacy, cleverly uses competitive swimming as a backdrop for a roller-coaster chronology of a young man’s journey into adulthood.

“Julia (John’s mother) was devastated that her true love was lost. While she moved on, she always knew that John looked so much like his father. Julia married Mr. Milton, I would say that it was not a true love, it was more of a compromise rather than to be alone with just John for Julia. Mr. Milton felt that as long as John was in the house, he was always second in the mind of Julia to her lost first love and he rejected John because of this,” Monsheimer said in a recent interview. The dynamics of blended families can be thoroughly exhausting, especially if the relationship between husband and wife is not on solid ground. Julia tries her best to be a nurturing, supportive mother, ultimately failing and having to let go. So how does a young man survive and thrive? The author added, “I wanted John to show his determination, that even being from a broken home, his drive for swimming would prevail even if it meant getting a job early. Being ignored and abused, he knew that someday he would be a great swimmer. It was his support by the Stein family, and his (first true love) Denise that made everything bearable, even when he knew his mother was only going to be a part-time mother to him, (as) taking care of his younger sister (was) her main focus.”

Although John was driven and resilient, from prepubescence powerful females were beside him. Almost immediately, Denise and her family nurtured and guided him, provided normalcy and a safe place for him. Then tragedy struck. Denise was taken from him. After a few dalliances, he finds Francine. Her fierce commitment to John enabled her to reconcile warmly John’s undying love for Denise as the girl who steered him as a child, with Francine’s holistic place with him. “What a ‘terrible’ mom, gives you a few dollars, and that makes up for the abuse she let happen to you,” Francine said after reading the mother’s note penned to John. Francine loved John confidently, knowing his love was reciprocal.

Author R.L. Monsheimer is a native of the DC Metro area, currently living in Delaware. He holds an MBPA from Fairmont State University. Monsheimer navigated a successful 35-year career in telecommunications. He started in financial roles, morphing into business development. In his adult years, he has successfully competed in two sports: swimming (Masters Nationals) and team tennis national championships. Monsheimer has advocated for those with special needs in Montgomery County, MD, and served as the vice president of the taxpayer’s league. He is working on his third novel about a multiracial female tennis player with championship ambitions at the US Open.

Swimming Legacy is an emotional triumph that blends the trials and tribulations of family and love. We learn success is never easy; it takes a community of support, especially from friends and relatives. At times the price paid may be deeply heart-wrenching. Good for any reader. Zebra rating: 5 Stripes.