The Life of Samuel Johnson

Boswell, James

ISBN 10: 0001047876 ISBN 13: 9780001047877

Publisher: HarperCollins, 1994

Synopsis

A biography of the dominant English literary figure of the 18th century, Samuel Johnson. It tells of his struggles with bouts of apathy and black despair, his overbearing yet remarkable kindness, and his melancholy contrasted with his liveliness in company.

About this title

Book Description:

Abridged, with an Introduction, by Bergen Evans, The Powell-Hill text

From the Back Cover:

James Boswell's 'Life of Samuel Johnson' is the most celebrated biography in the English language. Rooted in a close personal relationship that began with their meeting in Tom Davie's bookshop in 1763, and reinforced by meticulous research amongst Johnson's extensive circle of friends, Boswell's biography places vividly before us a memorable portrait of the dominant English literary figure of the eighteenth century – his strengths together with his weaknesses, his triumphs as well as his misfortunes. An astonishingly prolific writer who had regularly to struggle with bouts of apathy and black despair, melancholic yet at his best in lively company, dogmatic but possessed of towering common sense, overbearing yet capable of remarkable kindness, Johnson's character is here immortalised in all its rich complexity.

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0001047876
• ISBN 13: 9780001047877
• Binding: Audio Cassette