Boswell’s Presumptuous Task
“Boswell’s Presumptuous Task” by Adam Sisman, published by Penguin in 2001, offers a detailed exploration of the life of James Boswell, who was once viewed as a foolish failure by his contemporaries. This edition spans 392 pages and is presented in English. Sisman delves into Boswell’s complex character, revealing how he became a pivotal figure in the realm of biography through his work, “Life of Johnson,” which is now recognized as a foundational text in modern biographical writing.
Readers will find a thorough account of Boswell’s life, enriched by his letters and journals, which have only recently come to light. Sisman’s narrative not only chronicles Boswell’s experiences but also examines the duality of his persona as both a risible and remarkable intellect. The book provides insights into the nature of biographers and the art of biography itself, set against the backdrop of 18th-century Europe, making it a significant contribution to the fields of biography and literary criticism.
Official synopsis Publisher
James Boswell died a disappointed man, considered by his contemporaries to be a foolish failure. Yet today his Life of Johnson is esteemed as the template for modern biography and Boswell himself is regarded as a formidable, if somewhat anti-heroic intellect in his own right. Sisman provides not only an account of Boswell’s life but a creative investigation into how Boswell managed to be simultaneously so risible and outstanding and, by extension, an investigation into the nature of biographers and biography. Making use of Boswell’s letters and journals (only recently uncovered and unhindered by the constraints of academia), Sisman’s book depicts Boswell and the 18th-century world he lived in with clarity and frankness.
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