Customer Reviews
Better than 'Blackadder III' ! - By: , 28 Dec 2001 
Onee of the funniest books I have readin a long time, & ironically it really shouldn't be--after all, an 18th century bio should be dry & dull. The book is anecdotal, basically comprising bits of dialogue & images from Johnson's life, but is renderedin such a droll & vivid fashion that it held me to the last. Johnson & Boswell form an almost Laurel-and-Hardy like team of call & response humor, with Johnson's blustering wit always triumphing. Boswell, an intemperate Scot of aristocratic birth, both falls prey to the Tory, common-born, common-sense Johnson's wit & intellect & renders thenin a fashion that makes you wish you could have met him. Johnson's directnessin his opinions is refreshingin today's questioning post-modern climate, a bracing & entertaining read full of rudeness & delight.
The best biography ever written, and should be read in full - By: , 07 Oct 2000 This is the best biography ever written; so good,in fact, that you should get the unabridged version. The most fascinating thing about Johnson is not his one-off witticisms or words of wisdom, but his character as it slowly unfoldsin Boswell's writing, & the fuller the picture you get, the better.
My favorite biography - By: , 11 Mar 1998 I enjoyed reading this biography very much, finding Boswell an amazingly adroit reporter & his subject fascinating & wise. Johnson was full of shrewdness & good sense, along with amusing biases & unusual mannerisms, just the sort of person to ask to liven up a dinner. The book is both humorous & moving, writtenin a lively style, & good for repeated readings through the years.
