Boswell's Presumptuous Task: The Making of the Life of Dr. Johnson

Another gem on my quest for all things Johnson. Posits convincingly that Boswell wasn’t the fool and toady everyone thought he was. Probably manic-depressive, obsessive-compulsive and an alcoholic (I should know), but brilliant and likable. A man before his time. Changed the way biography is written and wrote the biography that set the bar.

I picked up this book primarily out of an interest in the late 18th century and for that it was a valuable read. Better than some authors and historians, this book delivers an idea of the forces and complexities of 18th-century life, through the perspective of James Boswell, the author of the seminal biography The Life of Dr. Johnson. Had I been more familiar with Samuel Johnson or the biography previously, I likely would have gotten more out of this book. Still, I enjoyed learning about both Johnson and Boswell, their relationship, and Boswell's effort to produce the definitive biography of his mentor.

A perfect choice of a title by Adam Sisman!

In his Introductory Chapter of The Life of Samuel Johnson, James Boswell wrote:
"To write the Life of him who excelled all mankind in writing the lives of others, and who, whether we consider his extraordinary endowments or his various works, has been equalled by few in any age, is an arduous, and may be reckoned in me a presumptuous task."

I'm surprised that Boswell didn't spell the word "him" with a capital "H."

Indeed, In his dictionary, Samuel Johnson defines presumptuous as
1. Arrogant; confident; insolent;
2. Irreverent with respect to holy things

In his dictionary, Johnson defines the word Arduous as:
1. Lofty; hard to climb
2. Difficult

Boswell certainly had lofty expectations, especially show more since everyone else had already written their lives of Johnson. In his LOJ, Boswell shows some of Johnson's warts, but never enough to knock him off his pedestal. In his quasi-biography of Boswell, Sisman bares all, depicting Boswell at times as a drunken sot who may well have set the all-time record for contracting Gonorrhea. Sisman shows that Boswell made the task of writing Johnson's biography more difficult because of his drinking, and because of his desire to make a name for himself in other ventures, either as a lawyer or hopefully, as an appointed politician. But a brilliant writer Boswell was, and Sisman shows that as well, although Sisman credits Malone's editing with putting the icing on the cake. Malone had nothing to do with the second edition, and Sisman says that edition contains errors, which Malone corrected in the third edition after Boswell's death.
All in all, a good scholarly and pleasant read. Moi recommends. show less

It is not necessary to have read Boswell's Life of Samuel Johnson to appreciate Adam Sisman's book. He provides plenty of context and detail for readers who are less familiar with the literary and historical figures in eighteenth century England. In fact, though I read the Life of Johnson first, I would recommend doing it the other way round and starting with Sisman's narrative. Particularly interesting is the posterity section which charts the popularity and reputation of the Life (and its author) through the past two hundred years.

4308 Boswell's Presumptuous Task The Making of the Life of Dr. Johnson, by Adam Sisman (read 2 May 2007) (National Book Critics Circle biography award for 2001) I read Boswell's Life of Johnson Sept 9, 1979, mostly because I thought one should read the most famous biography ever written, but not with a great enthusiasm. Then on Aug 16, 2006, I read W. Jackson Bate's eminently readable 1977 biography of Johnson with considerable appreciation. This prize-winning book by Sisman is amazingly interesting. It tells how James Boswell set himself out to write the biography and the book is much about Boswell, who was not a morally admirable person, nor very prudent, drinking far more than he should. After Johnson died in 1784 Boswell set out to show more write the biography. It was finally published on May 16, 1791. The book was a success and Boswell made money (which he much needed). This is a good book, but I suspect I have read enough about Samuel Johnson, on whose birthday I was born some years later than Johnson's natal day in 1709.. show less

well written book that will not keep you up too late at night. You can put it down most anywhere. Interesting facts. Interesting lives. Interesting books, journals, letters, and 18th century life. And lots of Johnsonalia for those who want it.

I'm not crazy about this book.