The Life of Samuel Johnson: A Critical Biography (Wiley Blackwell Critical Biographies)
Although DeMaria (English, Vassar) borrows Boswell's title, he does not present a biography as much as an interpretive study of Johnson's works: all but three of the 21 chapter headings refer to Johnson's writings. DeMaria offers the thesis that Johnson modeled himself on the Renaissance humanists, but "his desire to lead such a life was deflected by financial exigencies and the nature of the publishing world in which he lived." Happily, DeMaria does not overemphasize this idea and instead addresses the various works on their own terms. The result is a pleasantly written, useful introducton to Johnson's writing. The book will be especially welcome to undergraduates.- Joseph Rosen blum, Univ. of North Carolina, GreensboroCopyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.