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A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland Audiobook
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(3.02) - 215 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
In 1773, an unlikely pair-a dominant figure of English literature and a young lawyer-set out on horseback to follow roads and cattle-trails across the Highlands to the Western Islands of Scotland. Their conversation and accounts are filled with curious detail, flashing wit and fascinating encounters with the high and low of the country.
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"Johnson observes Scotland and its islands while Boswell observes Johnson. Boswell must be the original groupie and certainly hung on every word of Johnson's no matter how trivial. The prose style is of its time, which helps a lot because both these men could spin a yarn."
— Gavin (5 out of 5 stars)
A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland Listener Reviews
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" I seem to be on an 18th century kick; I do love the classically lucid style of prose. "
— Gloss, 4/6/2013 -
" Light reading about dictionary man Samuel Johnson's casual romp through the Scottish highlands. Good details about the area during the 18th century. "
— Jason, 1/16/2013 -
" This is a great book about two famous British Renaissance men who have a zest for travel. It is amusing to read their descriptions of the "wild" Scots and their whiskey breakfasts. Recommended for people who like to read prejudicial accounts of "worldly" men. "
— Caitlin, 8/14/2011 -
" I read this after making it only half way through Boswell's Life of Johnson. After finishing, I came away with the impression that Boswell was a self-promoting dope who made Johnson sound like more of a bigot than he really was. "
— Vonn, 4/4/2011 -
" I read this for my thesis class the semester after I returned from Scotland. It was nice to return, even if only in literary form. "
— Debs, 5/14/2010 -
" I enjoyed this book. I listened to the audio version, and the narrarators were exceptional. Really brought what I probably would've considered a dry read to life. "
— Kelly, 3/8/2009 -
" I selected timed this book to read it just before and during my trip to the Highlands of Scotland. We visited some of the places described and in many instances, not much had changed. "
— Amanda, 11/1/2004 -
" I had to read this for uni, and literally fell asleep on it five times. "
— Katie, 2/2/2004 -
" Good fun. Two, Johnson and Boswell, share their visit to the desolate islands of Scotland.Their journey took place in the 18th century. I wonder if it has changed much. Surprised how much migration from the region impacted the society. "
— Allen, 4/12/2003
About the Authors
Samuel Johnson (1709–1784) was an English writer who made lasting contributions to English literature as a poet, essayist, moralist, literary critic, biographer, editor, and lexicographer. Johnson was a devout Anglican and committed Tory and has been described as “arguably the most distinguished man of letters in English history.”
James Boswell (1740–1795), Scottish man of letters, was born in Edinburgh and studied civil law at Glasgow, but his true ambition was literary fame and the company of great men. In spring 1760 he ran away to London, where he first met Samuel Johnson. He eventually met Voltaire, Rousseau, and Paoli, the hero of Corsica, whom he Boswellized in Account of Corsica, which was an immediate success. In 1773 he was elected to Johnson’s famous literary club. After Johnson’s death and the publication of The Journal of the Tour of the Hebrides, another great success, he began his acknowledged masterpiece, The Life of Samuel Johnson.
About the Narrators
Patrick Tull (1941–2006), born in the United Kingdom, was a multitalented actor of the stage, screen, and television, as well as an award-winning audiobook narrator. He acted in numerous American television shows from 1962 to 1996, including Crossroads, and he had roles in six Broadway plays between 1967 and 1992, including Amadeus. His film credits from 1969 to 1996 included roles as Cecil in Parting Glances and Jerry the bartender in Sleepers. He served as narrator for the television series Sea Tales. He narrated nearly forty audiobooks, and his readings of The Canterbury Tales, The Letter of Marque, Monk’s Hood, The Vicar of Wakefield, and How Green Was My Valley each earned him an AudioFile Earphones Award. His narration of Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey/Maturin novels was praised by novelist Stephen King as among his ten favorite audiobooks of 2006.
Alexander Spencer was born on July 31, 1946 in Cambuslang, Strathclyde, Scotland. He is an actor, known for The Soldier (1982).