Everybody's Boswell

by Ernest H. Shepard

book

Genres: Biography

688 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Ernest Howard Shepard was an English artist and book illustrator. He was known especially for his human-like animals in illustrations for The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame and Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne.

Reviews

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had the 1935 edition of this book for forty years, and now I have finally read it! You can't read it quickly, but it's worth the effort.

[Stinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book after obtaining a copy on the information that it was one of, if not, the greatest biography ever written.

It was not a difficult read, though Samuel Johnson uses words with which I am unfamiliar; looking at it another way, this book provides the opportunity of beefing up one's vocabulary.

Another grace of this book is that it is one that may be read in short bursts, easily read then set down in 5-to-10-minute increments. This is because the writing is based upon encounters on particular days in chronological order.

Johnson tired me by the end of the book, especially as his character was revealed in Boswell's journal of their tour of the Hebrides. He's arrogant intellectually as well as with regards to his nation's qualities compared with Scottland, France or any other nation. Therefore, he's not the kind of companion with whom one might wish to spend three months in a row of traveling, as Boswell did. However, as a guest lecturer, I do not doubt he was amazing. Johnson was creative, intelligent, sharp and occasionally witty. He loved the English language - no surprise given his renown as the writer of the foremost English dictionary of his time.

What follows are some of my favorite, most thought provoking quotes from the mouth of Johnson:


A man may write at any time, if he will set himself doggedly to it. (pg 45)

If a man does not make new acquaintance as he advances through life, he will soon find himself left alone. A man, Sir, should keep his friendship in constant repair. (pg 64)

For the black fumes which rise in your mind, I can prescribe nothing but that you disperse them by honest business or innocent pleasure, and reading, sometimes easy and sometimes serious. (pg 238)

All severity that does not tend to increase good, or prevent evil, is idle. (pg 255)

Alas, Sir, what a mass of confusion should we have, if every bishop, and every judge, every lawyer, physician, and divine, were to write books! (pg 313)

From my experience I have found them (mankind) worse in commercial dealings, more disposed to cheat, than I had any notion of; but more disposed to do one another good than I had conceived. (pg 326)

Philosophers tell you, that pleasure is contrary to happiness. (pg 332)

Every man is to take care of his own wisdom and his own virtue, without minding too much what others think. (pg 385)

No man is a hypocrite in his pleasures. (pg 472)

Why, Sir, the greatest concern we have in this world, the choice of our profession, must be determined without demonstrative reasoning. (pg 514)


I recommend this book to anyone who loves the English language or enjoys imagining life in 18th century Britain. In Boswell's great biography there is medicine to be obtained if one is careful to avoid the poison. However, in reading a book from another century one has the advantage of often being immune to the wrong-headed thinking and receptive to wisdom that has long since been lost.

[Christine McCann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have the Harper Torch book edition of this book. Shepherd's illustrations add a light touch to Boswell's account. The introduction, a description of principal.characters, and a well-organized index all are excellent aids to a reader.

[Sammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

How charming! This is the way to read Boswell.