The Compleat Angler

The Compleat Angler by Izaak Walton. hardcover edition. ISBN: 9780880014069.

First published in 1653, The Compleat Angler is a book that both informs and delights in the purest sense of these words. Izaak Waltons classic celebration of fishings subtle intricacies and the joys of submerging oneself, often quite literally, in the natural world is itself ingenious and reflective. A fisherman, hunter, and falconer discuss the merits of their respective pursuits. The "angler" argues that "the very sitting by the rivers side is...the quietest and fittest place for contemplation," and details his favorite methods for catching, eating, and most effectively enjoying all varieties of fish. This modern English edition, illustrated by Arthur Rackham, brings The Compleat Angler to the attention of a new generation of readers, fishers, and nature lovers. As Thomas McGuane writes in his introduction, Izaak Waltons advice and instruction reach across time to remind us that "The Compleat Angler is not about how to fish but about how to be."