Boswell the Biographer

"Boswell the Biographer" by George Mallory is a look into what made James Boswell tick, particularly how his personality affected his famous biography of Samuel Johnson; instead of chronicling all of Boswell's life events, the book focuses on his character and mind set. This book is written for people who enjoy literary history and want to know more about complicated relationships, examining the subtle parts of Boswell's existence and his lasting impact as a biographer. The beginning of the book talks about how important Boswell is in the world of biographies, especially his "Life of Johnson," and says the biography is popular because it paints a great picture of Johnson and because Boswell's own personality shines through, attracting all kinds of readers. By looking closely at Boswell's childhood, dreams of being a writer, and tricky relationships—especially with his dad and friends—the book shows how these things helped him become a famous biographer and a literary icon, setting things up to figure out Boswell's brilliance and how knowing himself so well helped him create his art.