Poet, lexicographer, critic, moralist and Great Cham, Dr. Johnson had in his friend Boswell the ideal biographer.
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Apr 11, 2011
Paul
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This is a book which is not about a thing but is the thing itself. I think there’s a complicated German philosophical term for that.
In the history books they will tell you Samuel Johnson is dead these 200 years, but I say No Sir. He’s alive, here, right here. He’s walking and talking and wringing the necks of fools right here.
In this book’s oceanic vastness of pages Boswell the drunk, the fool, the but of japes, the ignoble toady, creates the reality tv of 18th century More...
In the history books they will tell you Samuel Johnson is dead these 200 years, but I say No Sir. He’s alive, here, right here. He’s walking and talking and wringing the necks of fools right here.
In this book’s oceanic vastness of pages Boswell the drunk, the fool, the but of japes, the ignoble toady, creates the reality tv of 18th century More...
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Aug 09, 2007
Mishka
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i've read half this book so far and, as with all terribly good, terribly long books that you don't rush through in one go, it's comforting to know that it's at home waiting for me. i'm looking forward to when i can open it up where i left off when life wasn't quite as crazy as it is now and continue giggling at boswell's madness. although the book is titled 'the life of samuel johnson', i am going to need to get a proper biography of the great doctor because i am completely distracted by boswell
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Jan 08, 2012
umberto
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I walked to visit Dr. Johnson's House at 17 Gough Square, London in England on July 5, 1997 in the evening alone. I also bought this great biography there (10.99 pounds) and had since kept reading off and on till I reached its final page on November 5, 2001. I had known this book since my early teens and thus I have my own respect for Dr. Johnson for his humility with his literary brilliance as well as his fame and recognition from the Universities of Dublin and Oxford with the two honorary doct
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Jan 21, 2009
I put this down because I didn't think I had the time or attention to devote to all 1200 pages of it--but though long, it's not arduous reading. Exceedingly pleasant, in fact. And Johnson is a hero. Richard Howard, in a poem somewhere, referred to the 'glossy carapace' of 18th century diction; Boswell, on his own and aided by copious extracts from Johnson and others, forms a treasure chest of elegantly turned utterance.
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Dec 28, 2009
Yngvild
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It is a pity that the only long biography we have of The Life of Samuel Johnson is the one by James Boswell. For a man who claimed to have been an intimate of Dr Johnson and a great admirer, the biography left me with no clear picture of either Johnson the man or Johnson the writer.
For example, I would dearly like to know more about how Johnson approached his great dictionary of The English Language, but all Boswell can come up with is this snippet of conversation between Johnson and More...
For example, I would dearly like to know more about how Johnson approached his great dictionary of The English Language, but all Boswell can come up with is this snippet of conversation between Johnson and More...
Aug 04, 2011
Ronald
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A very complete biography of British literary giant Samuel Johnson (1709-1784), extensively annotated by the author in later editions, and further annotated by the editor of the sixth edition, Edmond Malone. Reading the lengthy footnotes was necessary for background information on the many people casually mentioned in the text, most of them well-known people of that time. Around page 900, however, I despaired at how long it was taking to read this book, and began ignoring the footnotes. I happen
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Feb 07, 2010
Nancy
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This was my first e-book, and I got it for free through Project Gutenburg. I've been reading it on my iPod iTouch for 15 to 30 minutes at a time - whenever standing in line, stuck in traffic, in bed before sleep - since Christmas. It wasn't really a comprehensive biography so much as a series of anecdotes, conversations the author had noted in his diary. Very repetitive, but here and there were some interesting details. Like the fact that Johnson most likely had Tourette's Syndrome. And tha
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May 14, 2011
Kate
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I am ~1/6 of the way through an abridged (at 600 pages!) edition of this work, right about the point at which Samuel Johnsonis writing prologues for the benefit of granddaughter;John Milton's granddaughter; this part is particularly lovely, and the first actual criticism of Johnson's work. I wonder, had I chosen to try the unabridged work, if there would be more of this? I feel like I've been reading list upon list of works that Johnson has written, but have learned nothing about them, except t
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Jul 25, 2010
Boswell's epic chronicle is indulgent and idiosyncratic, but incredibly readable after more than 200 years. Boswell not only brings a version of Johnson to life (how accurately this version reflects the real thing is a matter of academic debate) - the accumulation of character observations, recurring themes, and miscellaneous anecotes and discussions immerse the reader in his entire milieu and the public intellectual life of the era. Among Johnson's associates, Oliver Goldsmith is particularly m
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Jul 26, 2010
E.
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I would have enjoyed The Life of Johnson more had Boswell not provided so many reasons to doubt his truth-telling. This hagiography was first published as a corrective to less flattering contemporary accounts, such as that written by Esther Thrale. No doubt the Doctor was an irascible character. Today he would be diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Boswell uses tact in recording instances of the above, presumably in order to safeguard his friend's reputation. Less
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Nov 17, 2008
Brad
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The best way to read Boswell's Life of Johnson is this way: via a somewhat cheesy, "classic library" volume of a Great Classics type of series. The book looks like one of those books you would find in the movie set of a lawyer's office, trying to look distinguished and old, although it feels plasticy.
We learn from other sources (outside of Boswell) that Boswell himself was something of an annoying 18th century star f__ker, but thank God he was - because reading this book i More...
We learn from other sources (outside of Boswell) that Boswell himself was something of an annoying 18th century star f__ker, but thank God he was - because reading this book i More...
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Oct 17, 2008
Ashley
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James Boswell is for some the ideal scribe, for others a sycophantic toady. Edmund Wilson, for example, memorably labeled him "a vain and pushing diarist." Boswell can even be seen as someone unconsciously intent on undermining his idol in sonorous, balanced sentences. Early on in his massive Life, he puts all manner of ideas into our heads with his boobish attempts to clear the youthful Johnson of potential impropriety: "His juvenile attachments to the fair sex were, however, ver
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Aug 22, 2008
Autumn
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I love this book, it's so funny. Boswell was like Johnson's wingman, he kind of followed him around and then wrote this biography that quoted him on all the funny things he said and how much he liked his cat and how weird he was (there is a lot about his cat). Did Johnson invent the dictionary?
I googled so that I could share a couple of my favorite Johnson quotes, which are pretty widely known, but come from this book which is definitely worth reading if you like biographies:
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I googled so that I could share a couple of my favorite Johnson quotes, which are pretty widely known, but come from this book which is definitely worth reading if you like biographies:
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Dec 27, 2009
Decided to do a Wikipedia read on this man. The book is too daunting. Johnson's claim to fame was the writing of a dictionary. Quite a feat by himself way back then. He became famous for his wit and his writing but the writing consisted mostly of being a critic of other writers. I decided I wanted to read the book because Dinesh D'Souza said it was the best biography ever written in the English language. Well that caught my attention. But I will pass on this one.
Oct 23, 2011
Kate
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Boswell's construction of Johnson and his contemporaries is fascinating. At the centre of everything, and the only person who truly understands Johnson, is Boswell. Needless to say, this is not an impartial account of Johnson's life. Rather, it's clear that Boswell is keen to set himself up as Johnson's only indispensable friend, to the exclusion of nearly all others. Singled out for particular cruelty are Hester Piozzi neé Thrale and the other Bluestockings.
Jun 18, 2011
Beka
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Reading the reviews, I am itching to download a copy and reread this little by little, because it's been so long since I read it. I love this kind of anecdotally written book that gives me glimpses of a different time and into the lives of the movers and shakers of the day. I remember being very entertained by this, although I wouldn't strictly call it a biography.
May 14, 2011
Catherine
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Couldn't seem to focus on this although parts of it I really liked, other parts not so much. Because it was abridged? Because I read it over four months in short doses through DailyLit.com?
My favorite quote is "BOSWELL. 'Is not the Giant's-Causeway worth seeing?' JOHNSON. 'Worth seeing? yes; but not worth going to see.'" This describes my recent inclination NOT to go places.
End of his life, end of the book: "I shall, therefore, not say one word of my More...
My favorite quote is "BOSWELL. 'Is not the Giant's-Causeway worth seeing?' JOHNSON. 'Worth seeing? yes; but not worth going to see.'" This describes my recent inclination NOT to go places.
End of his life, end of the book: "I shall, therefore, not say one word of my More...
Jun 18, 2009
Will
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Full of falsities. And it has probably done as much harm as good to our understanding of its remarkable subject. Still, it's very difficult not to love this book. What a hoot. Enjoy yourself - it's difficult not to. And take your time. But don't for a minute fool yourself into thinking this book is about Samuel Johnson.
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Dec 01, 2010
Maggie
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first read when i was in graduate school. LOVED it then and am here to report upon re-reading it that it is still a masterpiece. that was one unique human bean. and boswell served future generations well in his portrayal of sam johnson. recommended. but only if you care about such things as wise and great people.
Jan 08, 2009
Abby
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The edition I read was abridged. I found it sometimes interesting, sometimes not. It succeeds in conveying Johnson's significance in English cultural history as well as his less appealing qualities, of which there were many. An important book to read if you have an interest in the history of English lit.
Nov 22, 2008
Nathan
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All right, I read only part of the abridged version, but I liked it well enough. This is a LONG book full of anecdotes told by Johnson's flunky, Boswell. Many of these little stories are quite enjoyable, and many are boring. No reason to read this whole thing unless you're an 18th Century scholar.
Mar 31, 2011
Linda
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I had to control myself not to make a thorough study of Johnson after reading this account of his life. He was a true character. I especially loved the group of men he hung out with. Boswell was a good friend to write a book that immortalized the bigger than life Johnson.
Jul 30, 2009
Terry
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Reading this from the web service http://www.dailylit.com/ where you get a daily email of pages from classic books. Worth checking out.
Although I marked it read, I got bogged down, and discontinued it after 100 pages or so.
If you were a Samuel Johnson scholar and wanted background for his writings, this would be a fascinating read.
Although I marked it read, I got bogged down, and discontinued it after 100 pages or so.
If you were a Samuel Johnson scholar and wanted background for his writings, this would be a fascinating read.
Dec 30, 2010
Doug
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Very witty and entertaining at parts, but also very dense. Along with 100 Years of Solitude, it's a book where I spent so much effort climbing the mountain that I couldn't enjoy the view. Will have to reread it to really grasp it and appreciate it.
Jan 06, 2011
Boswell's "Minutiae of Samuel Johnson" is a monumental book and I got through 200 pages before realizing that it wasn't the kind of monument I wanted cluttering up my brain at this particular moment in life. In these latter days, picking up Boswell's brick requires a huge amount of Anglophilia or a more voracious reading appetite than I possess at present.
May 06, 2011
Eric
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I love this book. It is one of the ultimate fantasies of life and literature...two friends and companions, one the persona,the other a patient amnuensis, who devotes himself to capturing that personality in the amber of a transparent prose.
Apr 29, 2009
Andrew
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This is an incredibly warm portrait of friendship and the character of Samuel Johnson in "The Life" is one of the most vivid in literature. Johnsonians complain that Boswell's work has clouded Johnon's reputation but it was worth it.
Jun 28, 2011
Travis
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Fascinating look at one of histories most interesting men.
Boswell's hero worship of Johnson gets in the way sometimes and does color a lot of the book, but it's still a fascinating look at a period of history and the man that was one of the biggest celebreties of the time.
Boswell's hero worship of Johnson gets in the way sometimes and does color a lot of the book, but it's still a fascinating look at a period of history and the man that was one of the biggest celebreties of the time.
Sep 30, 2009
Dgfletch
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This is one of those books that selfstyled literate types have heard about and are always planning to read. Fair warning: it is dull for long stretches, and irritating fairly often. But still, it gives a thorough portrait of Samuel Johnson (which we want if only because Jane Austen knew his dictionary and his Rambler), and a good sense of life in the 18th century, and between the lines, an interesting sense of the difficulties of a wealthy landlord, rake, and intellectual (Boswell, not Johnso
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Sep 29, 2009
Bettie
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