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







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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



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