Download The Life of Samuel Johnson Audiobook

" What an extraordinary book this is. That Boswell should have decided to write Johnson's biography by "shadowing" him and keeping track of his movements in the 18th century is quite amazing and indicates Johnson's renown in his own lifetime as a man of letters and the creator of the first English dictionary. His erudition is simply astonishing. For example, in his last days when he knew he was not long for this world he kept himself amused by translating Greek into Latin poetry. What a scholar. Fascinating book not just for the account of Johnson's life but because of the portrait it gives us of 18th century life. "

" It's a great one. Will re-read again. "

" It would have been so much better if Boswell had kept himself out of it and had stuck to writing about JOHNSON. It really got on my nerves after a while. For once, I think I support the abridgement of a classic. "

" Very witty and entertaining at parts, but also very dense. Along with 100 Years of Solitude, it's a book where I spent so much effort climbing the mountain that I couldn't enjoy the view. Will have to reread it to really grasp it and appreciate it. "

" Before Andy and Red, before George and Lenny, before even Holmes and Watson, there was Boswell and Johnson, the gold standard for the Bromance in English Lit. This is an interesting account of Dr. Johnson, the caustic old idiot savant who is known more for his conversation than for anything he actually wrote. (I suggest an abridged version!) "

" Read for my Roots of Modern Disciplines course taught by Mary Poovey @ NYU. This book is ridiculous is so many ways... but mostly good ones. I laughed out loud plenty of times. It is also fascinating to realize that these things were said by Johnson (and others) almost 250 years ago - kind of made you feel like you stepped into a time machine. "

" This is an incredibly warm portrait of friendship and the character of Samuel Johnson in "The Life" is one of the most vivid in literature. Johnsonians complain that Boswell's work has clouded Johnon's reputation but it was worth it. "

" The ultimate non-fiction book. Just plain great. For me, this is beach-reading. "

" I finished this book, finally, at the third attempt. In total, that means it took me about 40 years. It's interesting to hear about the times and the people, but Johnson himself is disappointingly tedious - which tends to make the book less entertaining than expected. But I got there in the end! "

" I'm only on page 50, of 1006.... it's a daunting prospect but it's already clear it will be so well worth it! I love that elegant georgian (?) way of writing. "

" It gets better and better. "

" It makes me think of reality TV ("Let's go to the Hebrides. . . ."), but infinitely more erudite, of course. Moral: Johnson was kind of an asshole, but is fun to read about. "

" I found it kind of hard to read merely because the way things were written during this time. Interesting subject though! "

" The best book I have ever read.Richard "

" Serious time committment, but worth it. You really get to know Samuel Johnson in all his quirks and brilliance. Added bonus: you get to see Boswell, the fawning ninny, (and author of the book) chopped to shreds by Johnson. Satisfying. "

" I only remember it was so very well written. boswell the better man "

" This, along with Pride and Prejudice, Tom Jones and a few prime Wodehouse novels, is my favorite book of all time and I'm always re-reading it. "

" A fascinating account of the battle of wits played out two hundred and fifty years ago, 8 Mile set in a Georgian coffee house. "

" I had to control myself not to make a thorough study of Johnson after reading this account of his life. He was a true character. I especially loved the group of men he hung out with. Boswell was a good friend to write a book that immortalized the bigger than life Johnson. "