SOURCE: Bottrall, Margaret. “Izaak Walton.” In Izaak Walton, pp. 7-35. London: Longmans, Green & Co., 1955.

In the following excerpt, Bottrall offers an overview of Walton s work, praising him as a writer with continual appeal.

I

The mention of Izaak Walton's name immediately suggests The Compleat Angler, the contemplative man's recreation, the peaceful fisherman, book in hand, depicted in the memorial window in Winchester Cathedral. It seems almost treasonable to allege that the extraordinary popularity of the book has resulted in a distorted picture of its author; but extraordinary is the mildest word that can be applied to its reputation. Its real vogue only began when Walton had been in his grave for well over a hundred years. True, it was well received, and was re-issued, with various alterations and additions, four times during his life; but it then had to wait more than seventy years to be rescued...