Most Popular Books by James Boswell

James Boswell (1740–1795), best known as the biographer of Samuel Johnson, was also a lawyer, journalist, diarist, and an insightful chronicler of a pivotal epoch in Western history. This fascinating collection, edited by Paul Tankard, presents a generous and varied selection of Boswell’s journalistic writings, most of which have not been published since the eighteenth century. It offers a new angle on the history of journalism, an idiosyncratic view of literature, politics, and public life in late eighteenth-century Britain, and an original perspective on a complex and engaging literary personality.

This valuable collection presents James Boswell’s quest over a period of some twenty years to amplify his personal knowledge of his major biographical subject, Samuel Johnson, through correspondence with a wide network of friends, authorities, and informants. The volume has been expanded to include 21 letters that were unavailable at the time of its first publication in 1969. Boswell’s papers testify to the diligence of his researches, illuminate his powerfully innovative biographical method, and provide the groundwork for assessments of the complex principles of selection and exclusion that came into play as his overall vision of Johnson took shape. With Marshall Waingrow’s insightful annotations, the collection brings to life an impressive gallery of figures from late eighteenth-century Britain. Correcting production and other errors in the first edition, which has been out of print for two decades, and taking into account recent scholarship, this volume will serve as an indispensable companion to the ongoing manuscript edition of the Life of Johnson. Readers with an interest in the theory and practice of biography or the social world of Britain in the 1700s will find this book filled with enlightening information.

In "The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides with Samuel Johnson, LL.D," James Boswell combines rich narrative detail with sharp observation to chronicle his travels with the renowned lexicographer and essayist Samuel Johnson through the Hebrides in 1773. This work stands as a prime example of the literary genre of travel writing, marked by its candid reflections and colloquial style that captures the spirit of both the Scottish landscape and the diverse personalities encountered along the way. Boswell''s deft interplay of humor and introspection invites readers to engage not only with the geographical nuances of the Hebrides but also with the philosophical musings of Johnson, providing insight into the contrasting temperaments of the two men. James Boswell, a Scottish lawyer and biographer, was profoundly influenced by his relationship with Johnson, who became a mentor and friend. This journey was not merely a quest for adventure but also an exploration of their intellectual camaraderie, reflecting Boswell''s intricate understanding of human nature and his ambition to portray the complexities of friendship. His background and social milieu enriched his observations, giving readers a glimpse into both the Enlightenment ideals and the cultural richness of 18th-century Scotland. This book is highly recommended for those interested in the symbiotic relationship between travel and literature, as well as for scholars seeking a deeper understanding of Johnson''s character through Boswell''s eyes. It serves as an essential text for appreciating the interplay of personality and landscape, making it a compelling read for both enthusiasts of Scottish history and literature.

Book by Samuel Johnson, published in 1775. The Journey was the result of a three-month trip to Scotland that Johnson took with James Boswell in 1773. It contains Johnson''s descriptions of the customs, religion, education, trade, and agriculture of a society that was new to him. The account in Boswell''s diary, published after Johnson''s death as The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides, with Samuel Johnson, LL.D. (1785), offers an intimate personal record of Johnson''s behavior and conversation during the trip.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1873. The publishing house Anatiposi publishes historical books as reprints. Due to their age, these books may have missing pages or inferior quality. Our aim is to preserve these books and make them available to the public so that they do not get lost.