Trout : An Illustrated History
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| Trout : An Illustrated History | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Having developed a passion for fishing as a boy, James Prosek searched in vain for a book that catalogued the trout he had come to treasure. Then he began painting them himself, inspired by John James Audubon's classic bird portraits. This is the dazzlingly beautiful result, with more than seventy original watercolors by a true prodigy--only twenty years old and already considered "a fair bid to become the Audubon of the fishing world" (The New York Times).
The trout of North America range from the Pacific to the Atlantic, and from the Arctic Circle to the Tropic of Cancer. No other book pictures all of the popular varieties, much less the rare, exotic, and in some cases extinct species, subspecies, and strains included in this comprehensive collection. Char; Apache, Gila, and Mexican trout; rainbow, redband, and golden trout; cutthroat trout; brown trout and Atlantic salmon--each of these, and many more, are captured in vivid watercolors, along with engaging, informative descriptions of their evolution and habitats. With youthful passion and stunning accuracy, James Prosek celebrates as never before the indelicble beauty and variety of the trout, and makes an eloquent plea for its preservation. An unprecedented reference, Trout is essential for the serious angler--and a glorious introduction for anyone who loves fishing and the outdoors. |
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Perhaps no one loves trout as much as James Prosek, who by age 20 journeyed thousands of miles and through 49 states to depict in watercolors all 70 subspecies of North American wild trout at least four times for this definitive volume on the subject. He details the diversity and brilliant range of colors in the species with his paintings, which are accompanied by written snippets, including angling anecdotes, historical sketches and personal reminiscences. At the devastating rate that trout are being lost to hybridization, displacement and extinction, we should be thankful that Prosek's obsession has led to this beautiful document of the species now, before it is too late.
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| Reader Reviews Below Sorted by Newest First | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 01-12-08 | 4 | (NA) |
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A nice book for the fisherman or woman, with painted pictures of all the species and short descriptions. Also nice for artists who paint. Could be framed, if you are interested in design.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-11-18 13:23:22 EST)
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| 12-25-07 | 3 | (NA) |
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I received Trout: An Illustrated History from Amazon 12/07, I have never had any bad experiences with Amazon ever...But this is the holiday's and this book Trout: An Illustrated History was a gift for my husband, I received it with a "ripped up" Jacket!!! not expected from Amazon.com so I'm disappointed. Quality control!!! what happened Amazon?
The book itself is very beautiful written with exceptional water color art, and we have another book from same author and I highly recommend it, if you have a trout lover in the family this book will surely please them. (Review Data Last Updated: 2008-01-13 06:58:52 EST)
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| 08-29-06 | 5 | 4\4 |
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This book will be different things to different people.
I can't speak to the accuracy of the text as one critic has but I will say that I learned a few interesting things. As a hobbiest illustrator and amature artist, I do appreciate the excellent work of the young trout enthusiast and author. I would not consider the comments of our friend the "scientific illustrator" who claims, "On my first attempts at color, i could easily do that kind of work." Well said. I eagerly await your comments on Picasso's "bicycle parts". This book is not a masterpiece but a work of art. I don't believe it to profess to be the definitive word on trout, yet it offers some interesting tidbits. Most of all this book resides in the place that borders two wonderful worlds; that of trout and that of art. For those who are intrigued by either world, this book will make a very welcomed addition to your library. For those of us captivated by both worlds, this book is an absolute must. (Review Data Last Updated: 2007-09-07 08:42:41 EST)
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| 08-29-06 | 5 | 4\4 |
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This book will be different things to different people.
I can't speak to the accuracy of the text as one critic has but I will say that I learned a few interesting things. As a hobbiest illustrator and amature artist, I do appreciate the excellent work of the young trout enthusiast and author. I would not consider the comments of our friend the "scientific illustrator" who claims, "On my first attempts at color, i could easily do that kind of work." Well said. I eagerly await your comments on Picasso's "bicycle parts". This book is not a masterpiece but a work of art. I don't believe it to profess to be the definitive word on trout, yet it offers some interesting tidbits. Most of all this book resides in the place that borders two wonderful worlds; that of trout and that of art. For those who are intrigued by either world, this book will make a very welcomed addition to your library. For those of us captivated by both worlds, this book is an absolute must. (Review Data Last Updated: 2007-12-25 22:48:06 EST)
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| 08-10-05 | 5 | 2\3 |
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I first saw this book while on vacation in Montana. I thought the pictures were just beautiful. When I got back home I bought the book so that I could have many of the pictures framed for our trout themed bedroom at our lake cabin.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-10-13 22:03:37 EST)
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| 08-09-05 | 5 | 0\1 |
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I first saw this book while on vacation in Montana. I thought the pictures were just beautiful. When I got back home I bought the book so that I could have many of the pictures framed for our trout themed bedroom at our lake cabin.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2006-08-29 16:33:09 EST)
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| 01-26-04 | 5 | 0\3 |
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I know so many fly fisherman who also do water colour painting, and I think the reason is, it takes the same light hand or wrist action to do both. And I know for a fact that the author paints from personal experience, which means he catches the fish and then uses it as his model so that he gets the painting done right. Not from memory or some photograph, but right there on the banks of the river or shore. And he has traveled the world and fished with the best, and his work shows this.
And to the negative reviewers, all I can say is if you think you can do better than he did, then do so. The fact his art has been show cased on ESPN and in art galleries around the world suggests to me that he knows much more than the few critics he has. Maybe its envy on their part. I recommend ALL his books. And Yale University is fortunate to have had him as an undergraduate. (Review Data Last Updated: 2007-10-13 22:03:37 EST)
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| 02-21-02 | 2 | 10\24 |
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Being a scientific illustrator of fish, I dare say a few words about this book. These fish are pleasant to look at but the art work is no masterpiece. On my first attempts at color, i could easily do that kind of work.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-10-13 22:03:37 EST)
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| 02-08-01 | 3 | 31\39 |
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After reading the reviews on this one I was just giddy with anticipation when it arrived. Any book on fish or fishing is a good one, and this one promised to be very good.
I don't read new books front to back - I browse at first, and flipped through "Trout", very impressed with the number of species and the marvellous illustrations. Then I went to Brook Trout - the fish of my youth, and still the one nearest and dearest my heart. Very good illustration and text. I then went to the front and started through, and as fate would have it the Arctic Char was first up. That's when I started to worry. You see, I live in the Canadian Arctic, and have seen lots of Arctic Char - literally tens of thousands. I've studied them, fished them, eaten them, read about them, and learned about them. I am no "expert", but I know a few things. Th fact of the matter is that from reading the text accompanying the illustration of the Arctic Charr, it is obvious that Prosek knows little of them. For example, he writes, "Eskimos cut a hole in a lake through ten feet of ice, fishing with a piece of seal meat on an ivory hook." Do tell. It gets better with, "In summer when the rivers run free, they catch them in nets made of Musk-ox or caribou sinew." Really. That stuff would have been half truths two centuries ago - today it is just plain wrong. Those lines are tourist fiction reminiscent of the hogwash written by the early arctic explorers who, after a trip up north, could return home and write any mix of truth and fiction they wanted - because nobody knew any better. That's my problem with the book. He knows little of Arctic Char, but proceeded anyway to write an inaccurate text - without the qualifier - "by the way I don't really know this, somebody told me and I didn't have time to check it out". Thinking what? Nobody would notice? It's the other species in the book that worry me now - the odd, rare, and primarily western ones I have not had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with. Is that stuff accurate? Still a great and very enjoyable book, and I recommend it to anyone who loves (okay, likes) trout. Enjoy the illustrations - just don't count on the information without checking it out. (Review Data Last Updated: 2007-10-13 22:03:37 EST)
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