The Life of Samuel Johnson by James Boswell
"The Life of Samuel Johnson" is a comprehensive biography that chronicles the life of one of the most prominent English literary figures of the 18th century. The book provides an in-depth account of Samuel Johnson's life, his literary works, and his significant contribution to English literature. It also offers a detailed portrait of his personality, his relationships, his struggles with depression and illness, and his views on a variety of subjects. The book is as much a biography of Johnson as it is a portrayal of 18th-century England.
The 361st greatest book of all time
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Total Points: 1102
This book was first published in 1791
22 Lists
- score: 145 -- Best Books (Fiction, Prose) : Experts Choose Their Favourites - 1996 (Weight: 137)
- score: 144 -- The Ideal Library - 2024 (Weight: 120)
- score: 135 -- The Guardian's Essential Library - 2002 (Weight: 128)
- score: 127 -- The Great Books Podcast from John J. Miller - 2025 (Weight: 120)
- score: 97 -- All-Time Classics, According to Academics - 1985 (Weight: 81)
- score: 94 -- 101 Significant Books - 1989 (Weight: 89)
- score: 94 -- Have You Read 100 Great Books? - 1950 (Weight: 89)
- score: 63 -- Harold Bloom's The Western Canon - 1994 (Weight: 60)
- score: 51 -- Six Professors from "Esteemed" Universities Favorite Books - 1982 (Weight: 51)
- score: 31 -- The New Lifetime Reading Plan - 1999 (Weight: 30)
- score: 30 -- 100 Greatest Books of All Time - 2024 (Weight: 30)
- score: 28 -- A Hundred Novels to Change Your Life - 2019 (Weight: 28)
- score: 10 -- John Lubbock, The Choice of Books (1896) - 1896 (Weight: 10)
- score: 10 -- Masterpieces of World Literature - 1991 (Weight: 10)
- score: 10 -- The 100 Greatest Non-Fiction Books - 2011 (Weight: 10)
- score: 10 -- The 100 Best Nonfiction Books of All Time - 2017 (Weight: 10)
- score: 10 -- James Baldwin, The Book Lover: A Guide to the Best Reading (1910) - 1910 (Weight: 10)
- score: 1 -- Our Users' Honorable Mention Favorite Books of All Time - 2024 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List - 2018 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- 110 Best Books: The Perfect Library - 2008 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- 500 Must Read Books - 2013 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- Top 50 Books - 1997 (Weight: 1)