This is the most astonishing biography ever written. I felt that I got to know the characters so well, that I fancied myself sitting around the table with them.
You should read Boswell’s London Journal. It was written in 1762-1763 and includes the part where he met Johnson for the first time. It’s a funny book... ‘cause Boswell was wild!
Something that's always fascinating about certain individuals is how the inflecton of the appreciation of one individual can be the far surpassing virtue of another. Few people actually know this secret... They imagine that one person has specialness (or at least the majority of it) and another simply doesn't. But it's the team that often makes the special formula for something interesting that makes the rest of us take notice. It reminds me of stuff like what popular musical groups often go through. Yes, one individual is the widely regarded star of the musical group. But it often takes the background members to properly accentuate the star with the ONLY working frame. Without them, the, "leader," is often nothing special. There are many people who have abandoned being the ones who notice the extraordinary aspects of those beside them because THEY, themselves, want to be the "stars."
I have only started this book, however, you have added so much to this experience already. A couple of the points I noticed but since I am not far in I had not yet realized that I would see it over again. Thanks for nudging me that this may be a recurrent theme and to watch for it.
Hope you got through this book. By the time you're done, you've learned a cast of characters and place and time that will never leave you, and had many laughs and overheard conversations of the greatest minds of 18th century London.
I think Boswell was right in what he said about biography. It was thanks to him that we know so much about Johnson. Going to Johnson's house in London was an interesting experience for me. To see where he lived and worked, and hid from his creditors!
I just picked up at the op shop part one in the classic Everyman edition - pink hardcover, 1949 - $2.99 ! Is that a bargain or what? That wouldn’t even buy me a cup of coffee! Moreover, this book is number 1 in the Dent library! How about that?
Like you, I have previously read the (unabridged) Life of Johnson, and am undertaking a re-read. I had the opportunity to visit London a few years back and visited Dr. Johnson's House in Gough Square. I'd agree that the book comes across almost as hagiography, but don't really see that Boswell is undercutting Johnson - Johnson had his quirks and issues, and I just think that Boswell is just giving a complete picture of his subject. His reverence for Johnson is, I think, unfeigned. I also think that Johnson's friendship with a dissolute character like Boswell wasn't really out of character - consider his friendships with Richard Savage or Topham Beauclerk, who both were somewhat rakish. Anyway, I hope that the re-read went well. Thanks for posting - it's encouraging that someone is still reading Boswell...his biography is easier reading than much of the "great man's" output.
This is the most astonishing biography ever written.
I felt that I got to know the characters so well, that I fancied myself sitting around the table with them.
You should read Boswell’s London Journal. It was written in 1762-1763 and includes the part where he met Johnson for the first time. It’s a funny book... ‘cause Boswell was wild!
I will. Thanks!
Something that's always fascinating about certain individuals is how the inflecton of the appreciation of one individual can be the far surpassing virtue of another.
Few people actually know this secret... They imagine that one person has specialness (or at least the majority of it) and another simply doesn't. But it's the team that often makes the special formula for something interesting that makes the rest of us take notice.
It reminds me of stuff like what popular musical groups often go through. Yes, one individual is the widely regarded star of the musical group. But it often takes the background members to properly accentuate the star with the ONLY working frame. Without them, the, "leader," is often nothing special.
There are many people who have abandoned being the ones who notice the extraordinary aspects of those beside them because THEY, themselves, want to be the "stars."
💯
I have only started this book, however, you have added so much to this experience already. A couple of the points I noticed but since I am not far in I had not yet realized that I would see it over again. Thanks for nudging me that this may be a recurrent theme and to watch for it.
Hope you got through this book. By the time you're done, you've learned a cast of characters and place and time that will never leave you, and had many laughs and overheard conversations of the greatest minds of 18th century London.
💯
Also read The Club by Leo Damrosch and get the Audible version - very funny in places
Dude, #impressed! I've only read excerpts from this, but I've heard it's worth an in depth read. Good work here! 👍
Thank you Christy!
Thank you for the insights.
I've read about it on a Borges book about english literature. I really wanted to give it a try but now I saw the size of it i'm not so sure
A wonderful introduction to the book. Thank you.
I think Boswell was right in what he said about biography. It was thanks to him that we know so much about Johnson. Going to Johnson's house in London was an interesting experience for me. To see where he lived and worked, and hid from his creditors!
1972 it took me a year to get threw it.
Oh cool! Great discussion,
Looking forward to reading along with you! Sorry I gave myself a bit of a head start 😆
Read it, loved it.
I'll be reading this one soon too! Cool video. I may post about my reading of johnson once I get to it in 1-2 weeks.
Please do! I love your channel!
I have just ordered the book 😀
🙌 enjoy!
I just picked up at the op shop part one in the classic Everyman edition - pink hardcover, 1949 - $2.99 ! Is that a bargain or what? That wouldn’t even buy me a cup of coffee! Moreover, this book is number 1 in the Dent library! How about that?
Like you, I have previously read the (unabridged) Life of Johnson, and am undertaking a re-read. I had the opportunity to visit London a few years back and visited Dr. Johnson's House in Gough Square.
I'd agree that the book comes across almost as hagiography, but don't really see that Boswell is undercutting Johnson - Johnson had his quirks and issues, and I just think that Boswell is just giving a complete picture of his subject. His reverence for Johnson is, I think, unfeigned.
I also think that Johnson's friendship with a dissolute character like Boswell wasn't really out of character - consider his friendships with Richard Savage or Topham Beauclerk, who both were somewhat rakish.
Anyway, I hope that the re-read went well. Thanks for posting - it's encouraging that someone is still reading Boswell...his biography is easier reading than much of the "great man's" output.
BLOJ is a "book that has staggered me."
Here’s a complete reading of Boswell’s Life of Johnson in 217 parts: th-cam.com/video/1NHIEz4TV80/w-d-xo.html
Incredible for an American to show interest in something other than money making
This warms my heart 💜
Has anyone read it? Yes. Why are you doing videos about reading books when you seem to find the process so onerous?
Life can be quite onerous