The Compleat Angler (Oxford World's Classics) - Softcover

Walton, Izaak; Cotton, Charles

Softcover

ISBN 10: 019874546X ISBN 13: 9780198745464

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2016

Synopsis

'I envy no body but him, and him only, that catches more fish than I do.'

A unique celebration of the English countryside and the most famous book on angling ever published, Walton's Compleat Angler first appeared in 1653. In 1676, at Walton's invitation, his friend Charles Cotton contributed his pioneering exploration of fly-fishing. The book is both a manual of instruction and a vision of society in harmony with nature. It guides the novice fisherman on how to catch and cook a variety of fish, on how to select and prepare the best bait and make artificial flies, and on the habits of freshwater fish. It also promotes angling as a communal activity in which the bonds of friendship are forged through shared experience of the natural world.

Anecdotes, poetry, music, and song intersperse the rural descriptions, which promote conservation as well as sport. This new edition highlights the book's continuing relevance to our relationship with the environment, and explores the turbulent history from which it came.

ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

About this title

Review:

For a book to stay in print for nearly 350 years, its merits must continually entice and satisfy. The Compleat Angler qualifies on both counts. On the most obvious level, it remains as good a primer on fishing as any angler would want. But its most enduring distinction is hinted at in the subtitle--"the Contemplative Man's Recreation." Izaak Walton's sometimes convoluted 17th-century grammar can still reel in our imaginations with his graceful evocations of a life free from hurly-burly in the company of friends intent on physical and moral sustenance. "He that hopes to be a good Angler must not only bring an inquiring, searching, observing wit," suggests the master, "but he must bring a large measure of hope and patience.... Doubt not but Angling will prove to be so pleasant, that it will prove to be like a virtue, a reward to itself." Just like Walton's magnificent literary catch. --Jeff Silverman

From the Inside Flap:

[[The first unabridged cast reading. Features original song compositions. [[The Compleat Angler has been in print for over 350 years. [[As fresh and relevant today as it was two and a half centuries ago. [[Considered to be 'must' reading for every new generation of fishermen and women.

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 019874546X
• ISBN 13: 9780198745464
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 336
• Editor: Swann Marjorie