I haven't  read Prof. Nokes' book yet. I have read a review online in the NY
Times and in several British newspapers and in the Literary Review online.
The reviews themselves make for interesting reading.  Sadly, the author has
recently died.



Jean







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I have noticed a new Johnson biography on the bookstore shelves. This latest
work is by David Nokes, earlier a biographer of Jonathan Swift and Jane Austen. 
It follows the biographies by Jeffrey Meyers and Peter Martin in marking the
tricentenary of Dr. Johnson's birth.

Has anyone had a chance to read Dr. Nokes' book, and how does it compare to the
other biographies of Dr. Johnson?

Not reading any Johnson right now; just finished Eric Alterman's "When
Presidents Lie," about the unintended consequences of deceit.  Quite good, but
could have been improved with an SJ quote at the beginning of each of the
chapters.

--- In Johnsonian@yahoogroups.com, "jeprince@..." <jeprince@...> wrote:
>
> Hi fellow Johnsonians,
>
> May I ask what you are reading at the moment?
>
> I am reading Selected Essays from the Rambler, Adventurer, and Idler. It was
published in 1968 and has an introduction by WJ Bate.
>
> Jean
>

Please don't let my tongue in cheek comment offend.  I was just funnin'.

I know it was pretty trashy to write "ru". I don't think Dr Johnson would have
liked it.

Jean


--- In Johnsonian@yahoogroups.com, "M J (Mike) Logsdon" <mjl@...> wrote:
>
> I'm curious what the good Dr would think of "ru" in the subject line?
>

I'm curious what the good Dr would think of "ru" in the subject line?

Well, oddly enough, I've been riffling through The Rambler seeking out
questions  and  answers  for the Johnsonian Quiz I compile for the quarterly
newsletter of The Johnsonon Society of Australia. It took me considerably
longer than I had expected, because I couldn't stop myself reading right
through many of the essays.
I'm also reading The Making of Dr Johnson, recently published by one of our
moire distinguished members and Immediate Past President, John Wiltshire.
It's a fascinating account of how the figure of Johnson, as we imagine him,
has been built up over the past three centuries.

Bryan Reid


On Thu, Dec 3, 2009 at 4:47 AM, jeprince@... <
jeprince@...> wrote:

>
>
> Hi fellow Johnsonians,
>
> May I ask what you are reading at the moment?
>
> I am reading Selected Essays from the Rambler, Adventurer, and Idler. It
> was published in 1968 and has an introduction by WJ Bate.
>
> Jean
>
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi fellow Johnsonians,

May I ask what you are reading at the moment?

I am reading Selected Essays from the Rambler, Adventurer, and Idler. It was
published in 1968 and has an introduction by WJ Bate.

Jean

Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 December 2009, 7pm

Back to Dr Johnson's...

A one man performance by Ian Redford



It was considered an honour to be invited back to Dr Johnson's House after a
night in the ale house or at the club's meetings at the Turk's Head Tavern.
Be one of the privileged few and come and listen to Johnson talking about
his life, his friends, his work and even his dealings with the Cock Lane
Ghost.

Ian Redford, actor, recreates an evening with Dr Johnson in his atmospheric
Dictionary Garret.



Ian Redford is a celebrated actor on stage and screen. He currently stars in
Arthur Miller's classic All My Sons having played Father Capulet in Romeo
and Juliet at Shakespeare's Globe this summer. Redford worked extensively
with acclaimed world touring company Out of Joint and recently appeared in
David Starkey’s TV series, portraying Henry VIII.  In 2002 he appeared at
the National Theatre as Dr Johnson in April d'Angelis' much-admired comedy A
Laughing Matter.



£15/£13 concessions, includes a glass of wine and a mince pie

Seating is limited and tickets must be booked in advance. The performance
lasts approximately 75minutes.  Doors open at 6:15pm. To book your seat,
send a cheque made payable to Dr Johnson’s House Trust Ltd to the address
below. Please include your contact details with your cheque.  Many
unavoidable steps.



"Ian Redford is as close to the real Dr Johnson as one could ever hope to
see on stage." TIME OUT, Jane Edwards

"Ian Redford’s blustering twitching Dr Johnson is excellent."  TIMES,
Benedict Nightingale



Also at the House this December...

Wednesday 2 December 2009, 3pm

Dr Johnson Walk no booking required £4/£3 conc



Thursday 3 December 2009

Late night opening until 8:30pm. Free mince pies*
*whilst stocks last!

Christmas opening times:

Friday 11 Dec open 2pm to 5pm only

Thursday 24 Dec open 11am to 2pm only

Closed Friday 25 Dec to Saturday 2 Jan inclusive.  Reopen Monday 4 Jan 2010


Stephanie Pickford
Curator
Dr Johnson's House
17 Gough Square
London EC4A 3DE

020 7353 3745
curator@...

1709-2009
Celebrating 300 years of Samuel Johnson



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Sometimes I wonder if he lacked emotional intelligence. It's not just the
firebrand behaviors like talking for victory, but throwing someone across the
room because they had taken his seat? Thinking that the widowed Hester Thrale
would marry him? Part of my trouble in looking at some of his behaviors is that
I don't know how out of bounds they would have seemed in those days - - another
that strikes me is his moving to London to seek his fortune without his wife.

--- In Johnsonian@yahoogroups.com, "jeprince@..." <jeprince@...> wrote:
>
> In a review in the New York Review of Books, Andrew O'Hagan describes Dr
Johnson as boorish and basically unlikable.
>
> http://www.nybooks.com/articles/23111
>
> Do you agree? (I have only read Boswell's Life of Johnson so far.)
>
> Thanks,
> Jean
>

In a review in the New York Review of Books, Andrew O'Hagan describes Dr Johnson
as boorish and basically unlikable.

http://www.nybooks.com/articles/23111

Do you agree? (I have only read Boswell's Life of Johnson so far.)

Thanks,
Jean

Arthur, yours is also an achievement! Do you feel you have received improving
instruction? (:

Thanks to everyone for the excellent suggestions. I'll be looking on amazon and
at my local library (remember them? :^) to see what's available.

Jean


--- In Johnsonian@yahoogroups.com, Arthur Chandler <arthurc@...> wrote:
>
> Congrats on your achievement!
>
> After reading various Rambler essays at various times in my life, I decided
> to read them all in sequence, one a day. I finished a couple of weeks ago,
> and I highly recommend the endeavor.
>

FYI, the Donald Greene and the Oxford anthology are one and the same

--- In Johnsonian@yahoogroups.com, Jack Lynch <jlynch@...> wrote:
>
> jeprince@... writes:
>
>     I'm new to the group. It's taken months, but I have just
>     finished reading Boswell's Life of Johnson and now I am a bit
>     bereft.
>
>     Any suggestions about what to read next? Rambler essays? The
>     Lives of the Poets?
>
> I'm gonna second Frank's suggestion -- get your hands on an
> anthology of miscellaneous bits.
>
> Donald Greene's anthology from 1984 is good; there's also a brand
> new collection edited by Peter Martin, Samuel Johnson: Selected
> Writings (Harvard Univ. Press, 2009).  It's got a good selection
> of the periodical essays and the Lives of the Poets.  Greene had
> a more scholarly audience in mind; he wanted his book to be
> adopted in university courses.  Martin is content with a general
> audience.  This means some standard anthology pieces are omitted,
> but there's a good selection of pieces that give us insight into
> Johnson's personality and psychology.
>

We're so awfully quiet, generally.

jeprince@... writes:

     I'm new to the group. It's taken months, but I have just
     finished reading Boswell's Life of Johnson and now I am a bit
     bereft.

     Any suggestions about what to read next? Rambler essays? The
     Lives of the Poets?

I'm gonna second Frank's suggestion -- get your hands on an
anthology of miscellaneous bits.

Donald Greene's anthology from 1984 is good; there's also a brand
new collection edited by Peter Martin, Samuel Johnson: Selected
Writings (Harvard Univ. Press, 2009).  It's got a good selection
of the periodical essays and the Lives of the Poets.  Greene had
a more scholarly audience in mind; he wanted his book to be
adopted in university courses.  Martin is content with a general
audience.  This means some standard anthology pieces are omitted,
but there's a good selection of pieces that give us insight into
Johnson's personality and psychology.

Actually, now that she's read the poem to the duck, she's read the best.

:-)

--- In Johnsonian@yahoogroups.com, Bryan Reid <reidb@...> wrote:
>
> My suggestion would be Boswell's Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides - it's
> pure, unadulterated Johnson, the result of Boswell having Johnson to himself
> for the whole journey. Great fun!
> Bryan reid
>
> On Wed, Nov 4, 2009 at 9:12 AM, jeprince@... <
> jeprince@...> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > I'm new to the group. It's taken months, but I have just finished reading
> > Boswell's Life of Johnson and now I am a bit bereft.
> >
> > Any suggestions about what to read next? Rambler essays? The Lives of the
> > Poets?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Jean
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

My suggestion would be Boswell's Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides - it's
pure, unadulterated Johnson, the result of Boswell having Johnson to himself
for the whole journey. Great fun!
Bryan reid

On Wed, Nov 4, 2009 at 9:12 AM, jeprince@... <
jeprince@...> wrote:

>
>
> Hi,
>
> I'm new to the group. It's taken months, but I have just finished reading
> Boswell's Life of Johnson and now I am a bit bereft.
>
> Any suggestions about what to read next? Rambler essays? The Lives of the
> Poets?
>
> Thanks,
> Jean
>
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I have a different tack to suggest. Rather than recommending a specific portion
of his oeuvre, may I recommend the Oxford paperback anthology ("The Major
Works")?  It's a great way to dip your toes in several streams at once, allowing
you to choose where to swim more easily.

It has essays, his major poems, all of Rasselas, a portion of his write-up on
his trip to Scotland w/ Boswell, some letters, a few sermons, his prefaces to
the Dictionary and Shakespeare, some of the Lives...

Frank

--- In Johnsonian@yahoogroups.com, "jeprince@..." <jeprince@...> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I'm new to the group. It's taken months, but I have just finished reading
Boswell's Life of Johnson and now I am a bit bereft.
>
> Any suggestions about what to read next? Rambler essays? The Lives of the
Poets?
>
> Thanks,
> Jean
>

Lives of the Poets.

Congrats on your achievement!

After reading various Rambler essays at various times in my life, I decided
to read them all in sequence, one a day. I finished a couple of weeks ago,
and I highly recommend the endeavor.  The net effect on my mind could be
described as the combined sensations of a swim in a beautiful, cold lake and
the glow after a glass of very good red wine.   :<)

I've started on the same trek with the Idler and the Adventurer. They are
obviously by Johnson, but they often show sides of him I'd never seen in the
Rambler.

Cheers,

Arthur Chandler


on 11/3/09 2:12 PM, jeprince@... at jeprince@...
wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I'm new to the group. It's taken months, but I have just finished reading
> Boswell's Life of Johnson and now I am a bit bereft.
>
> Any suggestions about what to read next? Rambler essays? The Lives of the
> Poets?
>
> Thanks,
> Jean
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> The Johnsonian Mailing List: http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/johnsonian
>
> Johnsonian-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi,

I'm new to the group. It's taken months, but I have just finished reading
Boswell's Life of Johnson and now I am a bit bereft.

Any suggestions about what to read next? Rambler essays? The Lives of the Poets?

Thanks,
Jean

What fun to bring together a love of books, Johnson and the personal touch of
mementoes from the owner. I've picked up old books that had things tucked into
them, like clipping of contemporary book reviews.... but this is tops!

Matt

--- In Johnsonian@yahoogroups.com, "Jerry" <moibibliomaniac@...> wrote:
>
> Johnsonians might enjoy reading about what I found in Umatilla, Florida
> <Johnsonians might enjoy reading about what I found in Umatilla,
> Florida:
>
> http://mysentimentallibrary.blogspot.com/2009/10/unexpected-find-in-umat\
> illa-florida.html>  .
> If the link doesn't work, try http://tinyurl/ybs3hvl
> best, jerry Morris
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Dr Johnson Walk Wednesday 4 November 2009, 3pm
Explore the courts and alleys off Fleet Street with an experienced City
Guide.  No booking required - just turn up at the House. £4/£3 concessions
More  <http://www.drjohnsonshouse.org/events.htm> info

Dr Johnson's London Study Day Saturday 7 November 2009
See below for more details

Samuel Johnson and the Book Trade Wednesday 25 November 2009, 7pm (door open
6:15pm)
'I was bred a Bookseller, and have not forgotten my trade'
An illustrated lecture by Margaret Willes
Dr Johnson was probably the leading man of letters in 18th-century Britain.
But his connection with the book trade and publishing was not only as an
author. He was the son of a Lichfield bookseller, Michael Johnson, spent his
first years in London as a journalist and as a reviewer of books, and was a
friend of several of the most distinguished publishers. Margaret Willes’
talk will show how we can trace the development of the book trade through
the personal life of Samuel Johnson.

Margaret Willes was the Publisher at the National Trust until her retirement
in 2005. Her first book, Reading Matters: Five Centuries of Discovering
Books, was published in 2008 by Yale University Press. Her next project,
Pick of the Bunch, focussing on the collection of botanical illustrations in
Oxford’s Department of Plant Sciences, has just been published by the
Bodleian Library. She is now working on a book about Tudor and Stuart
gardeners and their books.

£12/£10 concessions, includes a glass of wine
Seating is limited and tickets must be booked in advance. Send a cheque made
payable to Dr Johnson's House Trust Ltd to Dr Johnson's House, 17 Gough
Square,London EC4A 3DE to book your place. Please include your contact
details with your cheque.   There are many unavoidable steps at the House.
More  <http://www.drjohnsonshouse.org/events.htm/willes> info




<http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/English/EventsExhibitions/Events/FeaturedE
vents/StudyDay.htm>



If you would like to be removed from this email list then reply to this
message with UNSUBSCRIBE in the Subject field

Stephanie Pickford
Curator
Dr Johnson's House
17 Gough Square
London EC4A 3DE

020 7353 3745
curator@...

1709-2009
Celebrating 300 years of Samuel Johnson



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

This was very cool - - thanks for sharing!

--- In Johnsonian@yahoogroups.com, "Jerry" <moibibliomaniac@...> wrote:
>
> Johnsonians might enjoy reading about what I found in Umatilla, Florida...

This tinyurl might work better:

http://tinyurl.com/ybs3hvl

Johnsonians might enjoy reading about what I found in Umatilla, Florida
<Johnsonians might enjoy reading about what I found in Umatilla,
Florida:

http://mysentimentallibrary.blogspot.com/2009/10/unexpected-find-in-umat\
illa-florida.html>  .
If the link doesn't work, try http://tinyurl/ybs3hvl
best, jerry Morris


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Forthcoming events at Dr Johnson's House this October:

1st Wednesday of each month, 3pm STARTING 7 OCT 2009

DR JOHNSON WALK

Follow in Johnson’s footsteps and explore the courts and alleys off Fleet
Street with an experienced City Guide.

£4/£3 concessions

The circular tour includes Gough Square, the Temple, Temple Bar and Fleet
Street. The tour takes place rain or shine – no booking required. Meet at
the public entrance inside the Dr Johnson’s House.  This is a joint venture
between Dr Johnson’s House and the City Guides.





You may also be interested in other events celebrating Samuel Johnson's
tercentenary this October at the following institutions:



15 October 2009, 6:15pm

JOHNSON READINGS, Westminster Abbey

In association with the Johnson Society of London, Westminster Abbey is
hosting a special evening of readings followed by a reception in Poets’
Corner, near Johnson’s grave.  Johnson scholars and enthusiasts Lance
Pierson, Karin Fernald, Michael Bundock and David Nokes will bring his
famous and some lesser known works to life, capturing the incisive wit and
intellectual insight, which so enthralled 18th-century society but which
remain as vibrant and pertinent as ever today.  Introduction by Canon
Nicholas Sagovsky. For more information click here
<http://www.westminster-abbey.org/whats-on/events/2009/dr-johnson>

Venue: Westminster Abbey

Tickets: £15
Available to purchase in the Westminster Abbey shop or  By cheque, made
payable to Dean & Chapter of Westminster, to:
Johnson bookings, The Chapter Office, 20 Dean’s Yard, Westminster Abbey,
London SW1P 3PA  (please include a SAE)

Wednesday 21 October 2009

SAMUEL JOHNSON SYMPOSIUM, Royal Society of Medicine
From Cradle to grave and beyond: his illnesses, physicians, autopsy and
religious faith

This afternoon meeting organised by the Royal Society of Medicine with the
History of Medicine Section explores the fascinating medical history of
Samuel Johnson.  Expert speakers include Dr John Ward, past president of
BSHM and retired GP, Professor TJ Murray, Dalhousie University, Dr Simon
Chaplin, Director of the Hunterian Museum, Royal College of Surgeons and Rt
Rev Lord Harries of Pentregarth.

Venue: The Royal Society of Medicine, 1 Wimpole Street, London, W1G 0AE
Tickets: From £10 to £45
For more information and to book tickets click here
<http://www.rsm.ac.uk/academ/hsj102.php>


Also now booking...

Saturday 7 November, DR JOHNSON'S LONDON Study Day at Museum of London (in
association with Dr Johnson's House) - click here
<http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/English/EventsExhibitions/Events/FeaturedE
vents/StudyDay.htm>  for more information.



If you do not want to receive future emails from Dr Johnson's House, please
reply to this email with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.

Stephanie Pickford
Curator
Dr Johnson's House
17 Gough Square
London EC4A 3DE

020 7353 3745
  <mailto:curator@...> curator@...

1709-2009
Celebrating 300 years of Samuel Johnson





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Outstanding! Thanks for posting this.


on 9/29/09 3:08 PM, Jerry at moibibliomaniac@... wrote:

>
> Thanks to Harvard University, the Donald and Mary Hyde Collection of Dr.
> Samuel Johnson has been cataloged on Library Thing and is available for
> viewing:
>
> http://www.librarything.com/profile/DonaldandMaryHyde
>
> best,
> Jerry Morris
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> The Johnsonian Mailing List: http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/johnsonian
>
> Johnsonian-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

Thanks to Harvard University, the Donald and Mary Hyde Collection of Dr. Samuel
Johnson has been cataloged on Library Thing and is available for viewing:

http://www.librarything.com/profile/DonaldandMaryHyde

best,
Jerry Morris

"The return of my birthday, if I remember it, fills me with thoughts which it
seems to be the general care of humanity to escape."

letter to Ms. Thrale, September 21, 1773