Categories: The Editor's List

The Compleat Angler

“Oh the brave Fisher’s life, It is the best of any, ‘Tis full of pleasure, void of strife, And ’tis belov’d of many: Other joys Are but toys; Only this Lawful is, For our skill Breeds no ill, But content and pleasure.”

No other English-language book – excepting the Bible – has seen more reprints than The Compleat Angler. This book, in fact, has never been out-of-print since it was first published in 1653.

Ostensibly a treatise on the art of angling, The Compleat Angler is more akin to a self-help book on stress-free living as the subtitle suggests: A Contemplative Man’s Recreation. A keen observer of nature, Izaak Walton (c. 1594-1683) revelled in tramping – albeit lightly – through the English countryside.

The benign plot develops from a chance meeting of Piscator (a fisherman), Venator (a hunter), and Auceps (a falconer) who exchange pleasantries about the merits of each man’s preferred sport. Venator, much impressed by the fisherman’s tale, decides to accompany Piscator who promptly becomes his mentor – not just of fishing but on matters of genteel living as well.

The Compleat Angler was written during the Interregnum when England was gripped by discord between Puritans and Royalist and Oliver Cromwell ruled the land as Lord Protector. While not a political work, The Compleat Angler does extoll the virtues of a more austere – if not idyllic – lifestyle devoid of extravagance.

As a literary work of art, The Compleat Angler is perhaps best summarised as an understatement. It may require more than one reading in order for its fullness to be appreciated. The reader’s effort is, however, amply rewarded.

Title The Compleat Angler
Author Izaak Walton & Charles Cotton
ISBN 978-0-1996-5074-3
Link http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?index=books&field-isbn=9780199650743
CFI

Published by
CFI
Tags: literature

Recent Posts

The Big Themes from Money20/20: Why Banks Are Back, AI Is a Risk, and Financial Inclusion Finally Matters

By Alessandro Hatami, European banking innovation expert and co-author of Reinventing Banking and Finance and…

10 hours ago

Net Zero: OECD Report Sets the Record Straight on Economic Benefits

For years, a persistent argument has loomed over the push for net zero: that transitioning…

10 hours ago

CORDET Capital: Unlocking the Potential of Northern Europe’s Lower Mid-Market

With a sharp focus on delivering compelling risk-adjusted returns, CORDET Capital has positioned itself as…

4 days ago

Uzbekistan Investment Forum: Economic Momentum Meets Strategic Maturity

Attend enough investment forums and they begin to blend into one another. The Fourth Tashkent…

6 days ago

Tashkent’s Turning Point: Why the Time is Now for Global Investors in Uzbekistan

As Uzbekistan accelerates its transformation from a closed economy to a liberalised investment destination, the…

1 week ago

BIAT: Strengthening Market Leadership Through Innovation, Digitalisation, and Responsible Governance

BIAT continues to assert its dominance in the Tunisian financial market, reinforcing its resilience with…

2 weeks ago