Life of Johnson, Volume 1 1709-1765

"Life of Johnson, Volume 1" by James Boswell is a biography that aims to paint a vivid picture of Samuel Johnson's life from 1709 to 1765, showcasing his character, ideas, and relationships with important people of his time, along with the literary scene of Great Britain. Boswell starts by acknowledging the difficulty in capturing the life of such an accomplished writer, especially considering Johnson's own thought that people are best suited to write about themselves. He uses their friendship, built on numerous conversations and information gathered from others, to present a detailed and complete understanding of Johnson's life, including personal stories and dialogues that bring out the true essence of Johnson's character, highlighting both his achievements and difficulties.