Samuel Johnson by Walter Jackson Bate

This 1979 chronicle is seen by critics not only as the definitive life of Dr. Johnson, but as a model of well-researched, lucid, fair--but always affectionate--biography.

The 93rd greatest nonfiction book of all time


This book is on the following lists:

  1. - 50th on The Modern Library | 100 Best Nonfiction (The Modern Library)
  2. - The 50 Best Books of the Century (Intercollegiate Studies Institute)
  3. - National Book Critics Circle Award - Nonfiction (National Book Critics Circle)
  4. - Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography (Pulitzer Prize)

Buy This Book

Name Binding Sales Rank Lowest New Lowest Used Published
The Achievement of Samuel Johnson Paperback 1783008 $44.39 $4.74
The Achievement of Samuel Johnson Hardcover 10523120 $24.95
Samuel Johnson Hardcover 4282434 $154.88 $6.41 1978
Samuel Johnson Paperback 7204211 $37.50 $1.46 1984
Samuel Johnson Hardcover 709840 $18.99 $0.01
Samuel Johnson (A Harvest/HBJ book) Paperback 2647251 $37.50 $0.08
Samuel Johnson Paperback 1374457 $32.73 $0.53 1998
The Achievement of Samuel Johnson Hardcover 5330066 $969.00 $19.19 1955