The Life of Samuel Johnson Paperback – 24 January 2012

James Boswell’s The Life of Samuel Johnson, first published in 1791, is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential biographies in the English literary tradition. The work provides an unparalleled glimpse into the life, character, and thought of Samuel Johnson, the renowned essayist, poet, and lexicographer. Boswell’s biography is not only a literary masterpiece in its own right but also a vivid portrait of 18th-century England, reflecting the social, intellectual, and political currents of the time. Below, I will delve into various aspects of this work, including its narrative style, the character of Johnson as portrayed by Boswell, the significance of the biography, and some critiques.1. Historical and Literary ContextWhen Boswell wrote The Life of Johnson, Samuel Johnson had already gained a considerable reputation, both as an intellectual giant and a beloved public figure. Johnson was a polymath—his works included A Dictionary of the English Language, his essays in The Rambler, The Adventurer, and The Idler, as well as his critical edition of Shakespeare’s plays. Despite his many accomplishments, Johnson’s life was marked by a kind of melancholy, deep introspection, and struggles with poverty, which gives Boswell’s biography its poignant emotional depth.In a broader literary context, the biography was a revolutionary work for its time. Written in the 18th century, it marks the shift from dry, objective accounts of lives to a more personal, intimate exploration of character. It is notable for its focus not just on Johnson’s intellectual achievements but on his eccentricities, foibles, and human imperfections, making it one of the first biographies to include such a richly nuanced and rounded portrait of a historical figure.2. Narrative Style: The Art of BiographyBoswell's Life of Johnson is remarkable for its conversational style and vivid detail. It is built on a foundation of Boswell’s extensive and often intimate interactions with Johnson. The biography feels like a series of snapshots—moments of conversation, philosophical musings, witty repartees, and occasional moments of great emotion. It reads less like a traditional biography and more like a dialogue between the two men, offering readers not only an insight into Johnson but also into Boswell himself.Boswell employed a variety of techniques that would go on to define the genre of biography, including direct quotations, anecdotes, and an almost journalistic attention to detail. He had access to Johnson through years of personal friendship and frequently accompanied him on trips, sat with him during meals, and even engaged in intellectual debates. These moments, many of which are recorded with great precision and warmth, provide an invaluable portrait of Johnson's personality, full of wit and contradictions.Boswell's attention to detail and his unflinching commitment to portraying Johnson’s quirks (including his grumbling, his constant talk about his health, and his various contradictions) offers a refreshing and humanizing view. Johnson emerges not as a saint or an infallible sage, but as a man deeply engaged with his own struggles, flaws, and intellectual restlessness.3. Character of Samuel JohnsonThe subject of the biography, Samuel Johnson, is presented as a man of contradictions. He was both a towering intellect and a man of strong physical constitution, yet deeply sensitive and often anxious. His intellectual gifts, such as his extraordinary memory and sharp critical mind, are evident throughout the biography, and Boswell’s admiration for these qualities is evident in his account. However, Johnson’s profound sense of insecurity and his tendency to be irritable or depressed are equally central to Boswell’s depiction.Johnson’s deep devotion to literature, religion, and moral inquiry is explored in great depth. He was a devout Christian who grappled with doubts and struggled with feelings of inadequacy, even as he was seen by others as a guiding moral and intellectual authority. His views on topics like religion, morality, and the human condition are intertwined throughout the book, and Boswell does not shy away from presenting the moments of uncertainty and human fallibility in Johnson’s thinking. In some ways, this highlights the tension between the public persona of Johnson as a philosopher and writer and his private, more vulnerable self.Johnson’s relationship with his friends, particularly with Boswell himself, is another key theme. Their relationship is one of deep affection, but also one of intellectual hierarchy—Boswell frequently portrays himself as awestruck by Johnson’s brilliance, while Johnson, despite his gruff demeanor, is shown to have a genuine affection for his biographer. Boswell’s persistence in seeking out Johnson’s company and his almost obsessive admiration of Johnson’s intellectual prowess is well-documented and provides an interesting layer to the narrative.4. Philosophical ThemesAt its core, The Life of Johnson is an exploration of the human condition. Boswell brings out the complexities of Johnson's mind—his grappling with the big questions of life, existence, faith, and meaning. Johnson’s intellectual outlook was deeply informed by his religious beliefs and his awareness of human mortality, yet his responses to these challenges were complex and often paradoxical.One of the most significant themes of the biography is Johnson’s belief in the importance of moral character and integrity, despite his awareness of the complexities of human nature. Johnson was often critical of his contemporaries, particularly those whose moral or intellectual failings he perceived. Yet, at the same time, he was deeply sympathetic to human frailty, making him a complex figure whose writings on ethics and human behavior continue to resonate.Boswell captures this duality in Johnson’s character—his profound philosophical convictions and his bouts of self-doubt, the affection he held for others despite his harsh criticism, and his recognition of both the greatness and weakness of mankind.5. The Legacy of the BiographyThe Life of Johnson had a profound impact on the genre of biography. Before Boswell, biographical works were often impersonal and focused largely on public accomplishments. Boswell’s work, by contrast, foregrounds the subject’s personality and personal life, turning the biography into a form that could include an exploration of inner life, private thoughts, and personal quirks. It has been said that Boswell invented the modern biography, and this claim is supported by the richness and immediacy of the portrait he provides.Critics of the time and subsequent generations have recognized that The Life of Johnson is not simply a biography of a man, but an exploration of a particular time in British intellectual life. Johnson’s thoughts on literature, society, and philosophy, as recorded by Boswell, give us insight into the intellectual currents of 18th-century England. It is a vital historical document as well as a personal narrative.6. Critiques and LimitationsWhile The Life of Johnson is lauded for its warmth and intimacy, it has not escaped criticism. Some scholars argue that Boswell's portrayal of Johnson can sometimes be overly idealized, presenting a view of the great man that may be filtered through Boswell's own admiration and reverence. There are moments in the text where Boswell's devotion to Johnson may make him appear less critical than he could be, leading to a sense that Johnson is portrayed in an overly flattering light.Moreover, while the book is full of philosophical insights and literary discussion, it occasionally veers into minutiae that may feel irrelevant to some readers. The length of the biography—at over 1,400 pages in many editions—can be daunting, and the episodic nature of the narrative can sometimes feel meandering.7. ConclusionDespite these minor limitations, The Life of Johnson remains a landmark achievement in both biographical literature and the broader field of English letters. Its intimate portrait of Samuel Johnson and the vibrant 18th-century intellectual world in which he lived are presented with unparalleled detail, humor, and sensitivity. Boswell's masterful combination of personal admiration and objectivity ensures that the book is both a compelling character study and a deeply philosophical exploration of the human condition.In sum, The Life of Johnson is not just a biography of one of the most important figures in English literature, but a meditation on friendship, fame, intellectual achievement, and the complexities of human life.

It would be presumptuous for me to write the review of "Life of Johnson"......All I can say is that it is a must buy for all lovers of English Literature.....A witty, absorbing and edifying biography of one of the greatest minds who ever lived.....Most amazing thing is that this classic available only for Rs 400....The delivery and packing by Amazon was excellent as always....

This is the biography of a famous person by an equally famous writer. You get a glimpse of how England's intellectuals of those days talked and their world views .

Please, kindly, use some bubblesheets at least to wrap the books before putting them into plain brown envelopes.Thank you.This book does not require any review. One of the all-time classics.

Good

There should have been notes to help the reader. Still, printing and paper quality is good.

Purchased for a friend who says it’s a great book just to dip into and read a few pages at a time. It’s not like a novel, more like anecdotes and all the fascinating stuff about the Savant Johnson himself and his his contemporaries.

What a wonderful, readable edition of Boswell's great biography of Samuel Johnson. This first major biography in English draws its subject from conversations with so many other Londoners of the mid-l8th century. Johnson's memorable phrases and insights are constantly interesting, but at 1250 pp., you need to have patience with your reading style. Take it in modest helpings, and you will be so satisfied. The hardback binding, with its ribbon bookmark, seems to make only a little bulk for the long book.All in all, I was very satisfied with my purchase. Good introduction; good footnotes where original. (Full disclosure: I'm an English prof.)

Graças ao advento do ebook pude ler com vontade esta obra prima que, parece, nunca foi vertida para o português do Brasil.

This remains one of the brilliant gems of the biography genre. Boswell was a bit of a rake, an okay playwright and a drinker but he had an ear for his remarkable friend and mentor, Samuel Johnson. Its genius encompasses the fact that it remains as readable to today as when it was first penned. You will feel like you are in the room when you here your first "Sir!..."Highly recommended by rich candlelight with a good port.

Non era indicato che era diviso in due volumi e mi è arrivato solo primo! Io ho pagato per averli entrambi!