Catch & Release: Trout Fishing and the Meaning of Life

by Mark Kingwell

Book Overview

In Catch and Release , philosopher Mark Kingwell has written a book about fishing, or more accurately, about thinking about fishing that is unlike any book ever penned about this most unique and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0670044334
• ISBN13: 9780670044337
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Penguin Books Canada
• Length: 244 Pages
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.

Customer Reviews

This book isn't about fishing

You don't have to read very far before Kingwell tells you his book isn't about fishing. In fact, it's as much about fishing as Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is about motorcycle maintenance. It's more about what Kingwell takes to the water, other than gear, when he goes fishing. A large part of what he takes is family. Maybe if he were a more serious fisherman, his mind wouldn't wander as much. But he isn't, and he doesn't pretend to be. In any case, the wandering offers a lot of fun.

Excellent

This charmingly perceptive and well-written book is a joy to read. Makes me wonder what Kingwell could have done had he been an ardent fly fisherman with years of experience. The beauty of Kingwell's language is what sets this book apart, a rare treat, indeed, especially in a genre often marred by sentimentality and journalistic prose. Very well done.

The New Male Status Symbol

"Catch and Release" is supposedly a book about trout fishing. That it is; however, much more is contained in this book by Mark Kingwell. I bought the book for a friend, thinking he would like all the fishing information. But as I leafed through the book, I found much more information on various subjects....cooking osso bucco, the measure of a martini glass, golf, writing and wrtier's block, philosophy, and Canadian masculinity. Canadian masculinity by the way, seems to be a cut above that of the US fisherman.It was rather neatly summarized with Kingwell's comment re: Cary Grant."If Cary Grant isn't man enough for you, there's something wrong with your picture of manhood." This was in reply to some men or women who think of Grant as effeminate. And as did also the previous reviewer think of Kingwell. So the Canadian fisherman is more like Cary Grant than Ernest Hemingway.....and I'll drink to that!!! \