The Complete Angler 1653

Izaak WaltonProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

4.5

Word count: 216K words
Chapters: 22

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.The Complete Angler 1653 by Izaak WaltonAuthor: Walton, Izaak, 1593-1683,Language: English, Class: SH: Agriculture: Aquaculture, Fisheries, Angling, Release Date: Oct 1, 2005

Editor's review

The Complete Angler 1653 is Izaak Walton's classic on fishing, published in 1653, combining the qualities of a technical manual and a pastoral essay. Written in dialogue form, it blends angling technique, river scenery, and reflections on life; the language is plain and unhurried, with the clarity and warmth characteristic of seventeenth-century English prose. Its value lies not only in fishing knowledge itself but in presenting an attitude toward life immersed in nature and lived with patience and quiet observation—a rare slow-reading experience for modern readers. As a free Project Gutenberg electronic edition, the text is easy to search and carry, suitable as an introductory selection of English classical prose. When reading, it helps to treat technical details and lyrical passages separately: the former can be consulted as needed, while the latter are suited to careful reading in quiet hours, to feel the author's cherishing of time by the water.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers who love English classical prose and want to experience the feel of seventeenth-century essays
Enthusiasts interested in angling culture and nature writing
Learners who wish to practice close reading of English through short dialogue-form pieces
Readers looking for a slow-paced bedside book readable in fragments

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting a guide to modern fishing gear and practical techniques
Readers who prefer tight plots or strong narrative drive
Beginners impatient with classical English syntax and unfamiliar words

Reading tips

Read the opening dialogue first to become familiar with the characters' voices and the rhythm of the style, then move into specific chapters.
Separate the fishing-technique passages from the lyrical ones; the latter suit reading a small section each day.
When encountering unfamiliar words, guess from context first, then look them up together after reading through, avoiding frequent interruptions.
Reading alongside maps or river background materials can enhance the sense of space in the scenes.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book suitable for readers with no fishing experience?

Yes. Although it contains angling technique, its core is the dialogue-form nature essay and attitude toward life; readers without fishing experience can still appreciate its charm. Skim the technical details and focus on the characters' conversation and riverside description; the reading threshold lies mainly in classical English syntax rather than specialized knowledge.

Is this edition the complete original?

This edition is Project Gutenberg's electronic text of the 1653 version, in English, corresponding to the early edition. It is easy to obtain and search for free, but it contains no modern translation, notes, or introduction; if detailed annotations are needed, find an annotated edition for comparison.

How difficult is the English, and what level is needed?

It belongs to seventeenth-century English prose, with rather long sentences and archaic wording; a reading ability around CET-4 or a willingness to read slowly with a dictionary is recommended. The dialogue form is relatively approachable, but some fishing terms and period expressions need checking; it suits close reading rather than speed reading.

How can I read it without finding it dull?

You need not read it straight through; treat it as a book of essays in fragments: read a short dialogue each day, note the scenery description and the characters' tones, and skim technical passages according to interest. Read it in quiet hours, with imagination of rivers and nature, and the rhythm will feel more comfortable.

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About the author

Izaak Walton Author · English · 1593–1683

Izaak Walton (1593–1683) was an English biographer. Born in Stafford, he ran a linen business in his early years and was closely associated with clergymen such as John Donne. In 1653 he published The Compleat Angler, a pastoral dialogue on the pleasures of fishing; revised and enlarged in later editions, it became a classic of English prose. The library also holds his multi-volume biographical works, including lives of Donne, Wotton, Hooker, and Herbert, later known collectively as Walton's Lives. Public information on the details of his life is limited, but his writings, combining leisurely tone with pious feeling, have influenced later English essays and biographical writing.