"It would sweeten a man's temper at any time to read it," wrote essayist Charles Lamb some years after this novel was first published in 1653. Of course, The Compleat Angler is much more than just a 17th century "how-to" guide to catching and cooking fish. So disarming is Mr. Walton's quiet enthusiasm for the countryside and all the various delights that it contains that, even if you never have nor ever will pick up a fishing rod, you will benefit from a little time spent in the genial company of the author and his friends.
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"Originally written in 1653. . . A conversation on fishing and life between an experienced fisherman and teacher with his student. Anyone who enjoys the beauty of fishing, particularly fly fishing must read this. A philosophical adventure with a fly rod."
— Mike (4 out of 5 stars)
" Fascinated me as a young teenager and almost converted me to fishing. A delightful read for afternoons spent on summer lawns. "
— Badger, 9/29/2013" Not just a treatise on fly fishing, but a joyful, lyrical celebration of life. Truly a pleasure to read or to listen to being read. "
— Bev, 9/13/2013" Written about a century ago, The Compleat Angler discusses the nature of man and the environment through conversations between various people from different backgrounds. The central chacter is an angler. Look considered a classic among the outdoors community. "
— Fredrick, 8/10/2013" It's funny; I never expected that I will be able to remember all the information in this book but I enjoyed reading it anyway. Perhaps it was because reading this book was a refreshing foray into a simpler time and place, and the simple joys of angling. "
— Cristina, 5/7/2013" My Favorite book of all time. Yes, I am an angler. If you like to fish, and you like to read, this book is a must. An appreciation of early modern English helps. "
— Christian, 5/6/2013" It's funny; I never expected that I will be able to remember all the information in this book but I enjoyed reading it anyway. Perhaps it was because reading this book was a refreshing foray into a simpler time and place, and the simple joys of angling. "
— Cristina, 2/3/2013" Someone please tell me why the National Council of Teachers of English based the theme of one of its conventions on this musty thing. "
— Todd, 10/31/2012" Written about a century ago, The Compleat Angler discusses the nature of man and the environment through conversations between various people from different backgrounds. The central chacter is an angler. Look considered a classic among the outdoors community. "
— Fredrick, 10/28/2012" A really enjoyable book. Much different than what I had expected but in the end, it made we want to pick up my rod and go. 400 years later and it's still serving it's purpose. "
— Jim, 6/28/2012" Someone please tell me why the National Council of Teachers of English based the theme of one of its conventions on this musty thing. "
— Todd, 5/24/2012" Fascinated me as a young teenager and almost converted me to fishing. A delightful read for afternoons spent on summer lawns. "
— Badger, 5/20/2012" My Favorite book of all time. Yes, I am an angler. If you like to fish, and you like to read, this book is a must. An appreciation of early modern English helps. "
— Christian, 4/25/2012" A really enjoyable book. Much different than what I had expected but in the end, it made we want to pick up my rod and go. 400 years later and it's still serving it's purpose. "
— Jim, 1/24/2012" Originally written in 1653. . . A conversation on fishing and life between an experienced fisherman and teacher with his student. Anyone who enjoys the beauty of fishing, particularly fly fishing must read this. A philosophical adventure with a fly rod. "
— Mike, 2/23/2011" Not just a treatise on fly fishing, but a joyful, lyrical celebration of life. Truly a pleasure to read or to listen to being read. "
— Bev, 8/27/2010" Fascinated me as a young teenager and <em>almost</em> converted me to fishing. A delightful read for afternoons spent on summer lawns. "
— Badger, 5/31/2010" My Favorite book of all time. Yes, I am an angler. If you like to fish, and you like to read, this book is a must. An appreciation of early modern English helps. "
— Christian, 3/26/2010" Someone please tell me why the National Council of Teachers of English based the theme of one of its conventions on this musty thing. "
— Todd, 1/16/2008Izaak Walton (1593–1683) was an English writer. Best known as the author of The Compleat Angler, he also wrote a number of short biographies that have been collected under the title of Walton’s Lives.
Charles Cotton was an English poet and writer, best known for translating the work of Michel de Montaigne from the French, for his contributions to The Compleat Angler, and for the influential The Compleat Gamester attributed to him.
Nelson Runger’s voice has been recorded in dozens of audio productions and won him two AudioFile Earphones Awards. His ability to convey difficult, scholarly material with eloquence and ease has earned him critical acclaim, including an AudioFile Best Voice in Biography & History for his reading of Nixon and Kissinger.