A Journey to the Western Islands Scotland

I have a collectors edition of these two books but it is getting a bit old to handle daily. So this was just the book I needed to re-read a classic as told by two men who traveled the same trip, together, but wrote separately and marvelously differently about the same adventure.It contains the observations of these two famous gentlemen on the natural history, history, culture, society and life of the Scots as seen through their different perspectives.I highly recommend this paperback ed. to anyone who might be interested in Scottish history and customs, and/or might like to travel to these wonderful places with some knowledge aforehand of what has transpired here.

This is a gem. You get both Samuel Johnson's and James Boswell's individual accounts of their famous journey through Scotland in 1773. The introduction is terrific, as are the endnotes, and the accounts of the trip are fascinating, individually and compared to each other. One magnificent book.

I mainly wanted this book to find the quote, "At seventy-seven, it's time to be in earnest," which I found, but although some of the description was not of much interest to me, someone interested in 1773 Scotland would like it. It was interesting to see an early concern for the environment and preserving historic buildings.

A wonderful classic - I laugh each time I see the cover engraving - it is amusing to think of Boswell with the great Dr. Johnson dancing down the street!!!!!

Divided in two very different parts: the first one told by Johnson; the second by Bowell, it has things to entertain and amuse both types of audiences. The one quality that is shared by both is the amiability. Each one has a very different way of telling about their travels, but both are interesting because of each one seems to be enjoying it very much, and I different ways. Johnson in an amiable way focuses on the vicissitudes of the trip, the scenery, provides the sociologist's eye, the curiosity of the foreign traveler. Boswell, in a more humorous way, is interested in Johnson, and introduces the Scottish islands and its people through the interaction of these with Johnson. The excitement felt by Boswell when about to bring Johnson in contact with some native personage is successfully conveyed to the reader. I could imagine Doctor Watson doing something of this sort with Sherlock Holmes if they were to travel together to Watson's own neck-of-the-woods. The book's light and friendly tone makes up well for the -perhaps lack of other exciting happenings.

Loved both tales. Two interesting, humorous writers still enjoyable 200 years on. As a result I will add many of the Western Isles to my trip next year.

great 'journey'. i love the language and writing style.

I took this book along on my recent trip to Scotland. What a treat! My review is for Boswell's Journal, rather than Johnson's account of the same trip, both of which are contained in this book.For years, Boswell, a Scot, tried to get Samuel Johnson to accompany him on a tour through Scotland. Johnson, who was English, harbored many of the typical prejudices against Scotland, believing it to be a wild country with bad terrain, bad weather, bad food and uneducated people. Finally, in 1773, he agreed to make the trip. The tour started in Edinburgh and ended in Auchinleck, the family home of Boswell. The pair stayed in many homes and met many people during their three month journey. They spent most of their time in the Hebridean Islands.Boswell is an incredible journalist. He faithfully captured the details of their excursion, everything from food consumed and sleeping conditions to conversations and emotions. He wrote one to two hours per day and conferred with his companion and hosts to make sure that his account was accurate. Boswell's frank depiction of Johnson is striking. Boswell depicts Johnson as a snobbish know-it-all. At times, Boswell seems to be describing a fictional character rather than a real person. In fact, many times during the book, Johnson seemed to be very much like a male version of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, the uppity and quite self-unaware character from Pride and Prejudice.In the end, while he certainly found plenty to complain about, Johnson was genuinely impressed with what he saw in Scotland. Many of his prejudices gave way to appreciation for the hospitality and ingenuity of the people, not to mention the natural beauty of the country.

L'edizione kindle NON è quella annunciata nel sito cliccando Johnson - Fleeman (AU), Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland (TI). Mentre sembra che si possa acquistare l'edizione Fleeman in versione kindle al prezzo di euro 8.35, si riceve invece un'ALTRA edizione, precisamente quella curata da P. Levi per la Penguin. Evidentemente si è verificato un disguido nella descrizione del prodotto. Disguido spiacevole per chi acquista!

not that easy to navigate around the kindle version, e.g. searching for particular places if you want to read snippets out of sequence, but an excellent read.

I have rated this on the basis of somebody interested in travel around and history of the Scottish Highlands and Islands - if not move on.This volume combines two books covering the same journey - plus lots of reference notes at the back. So a bit of a hassle to read easily. Perhaps it would be better if they had been compiled with one book on each side to read in parallel. I ended up reading in sections to match the journey.This hassle aside, it is an absolutely fascinating insight into the period, shortly after the 1745 rebellion had ended and before things had changed entirely.Of the two volumes Dr Johnson's is the easier and better read in the modern world. More factual and descriptive.A lot of Boswell's book describes detail of conversations had en route - and he was clearly infatuated by then society and its privileges and airs. But again it is fascinating in its won right, even if some of the sections on society tittle tattle can be skip read. But it is fascinating where he meets and speaks to key people in the history of the time, including the Flora MacDonald and others who helped the Prince escape to and from Skye after 1745.Not an easy book but a unique window into Scottish history circa 1775

Arrived promptly, well wrapped, and in excellent condition. A great read and a worthwhile purchase. Would use again. Thank you!

Still reading and enjoying