Description

Click here to see our other books! Boswell's Life of Samuel Johnson Including a Journal of His Tour to The Hebrides and Johnsoniana; A Collection of Miscellaneous Anecdotes and Sayings of Samuel Johnson In Ten Volumes James Boswell 1859 Henry G. Bohn : London 6.5" by 4.5" SUMMARY A uniformly bound set of this well known biography regarded as an important stage in the development of the modern genre of biography; with many claiming it to be the greatest biography written in English. Leather Binding Overall Condition: Very Good This book weighs 4 KG when packed UK Postage: £ 4.49 US Postage: £ 39.99 EU Postage : £ 26.99 European Postage: £ 36.99 Asia Postage: £ 65.99 Worldwide Postage: £ 99.99 DESCRIPTION New edition, with numerous additions and notes, by John Wilson Croker. Henry G. Bohn's 1835 edition was originally published in ten volumes. This new edition is complete in eight volumes, with the last two volumes of this set holding "Johnsoniana A Collection of Miscellaneous Anecdotes and Sayings of Samuel Johnson", which are complete within themselves. Adorned with a beautiful frontispiece from the original 1835 edition, engraved title page to each volume. Holding thirty-four of the original forty plates, several of which that are folding. When the Life of Samuel Johnson was published in 1791 it at once commanded the admiration that Boswell had sought for so long, and it has since suffered no diminution. Its style was unique in that, unlike other biographies of that era, it directly incorporated conversations that Boswell had noted down at the time for his journals. He also included far more personal and human details than those to which contemporary readers were accustomed. Instead of writing a respectful and dry record of Johnson's public life in the style of the time, he painted a vivid portrait of the complete man, brought to life through a 'dramatic' style of dialogue. It has often been described as the greatest biography ever written. It has often been asked how a man such as Boswell could have produced so remarkable a work as the Life of Johnson. Among those who attempted an answer were Macaulay and Carlyle: the former argued that Boswell's uninhibited folly and candour were his greatest qualifications; the latter replied that beneath such traits was a mind to discern excellence and a heart to appreciate it, aided by the power of accurate observation and considerable dramatic ability. Holding The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides with Samuel Johnson, the renowned travel journal of Boswell and Johnson's journey from Edinburgh, through the eastern and northeastern coasts of Scotland, passing through St Andrews, Aberdeen and Inverness. They then passed into the highlands and spent several weeks on various islands in the Hebrides, including Skye, Coll, and Mull. The work is based on a diary Boswell had kept during the 1773 tour and included detailed descriptions of where he and Johnson had gone and what Johnson had said. CONDITION Rebound in half calf bindings with cloth covered boards. A workman-like binding but sound with somewhat shakey hand written spines. Externally, generally smart, with only some light rubbing. Internally, firmly bound, bright and generally clean, with only some very light foxing affecting some of the plates and endpapers. Overall Condition: Very Good GLOSSARY OF TERMS Overall Condition (Dustwrapper condition rating is shown after that for the book itself, where a dustwrapper is present) Fine - Very well preserved copy showing very little wear Very Good Indeed - Only one or two minor faults, really a very attractive copy Very Good - Quite a wide term meaning no major faults but probably several smaller ones often expected given the age of the book, but still a respectable copy Good - Meaning not very good. Some more serious faults as will be described in the condition report under 'condition' Good Only - Meaning one or more faults that could really do with repair Fair - As with good only above but with other faults leaving a compromised copy even after repair Poor - Really bad and possibly seriously incomplete. We only sell books in this condition where their rarity or value makes them attractive none the less. Major defects will be described. GUARANTEE We offer a full money back guarantee on our descriptions. Please ask for details and conditions. We prefer PAYPAL. If you pay via PAYPAL we will post the item off the same or the next working day with the postage you have selected. Please note we cannot accept USD cheques