A dictionary of the English language vs Life of Samuel Johnson: Which Should You Read?
Both live on shelves: Johnson, Early works to 1800, Travel
A dictionary of the English language
A dictionary with more than 40,000 entries which was a primary reference source for scholars and writers of the 18th and 19th century.
vs
Life of Samuel Johnson
Poet, lexicographer, critic, moralist and Great Cham, Dr. Johnson had in his friend Boswell the ideal biographer. Notoriously and self-confessedly intemperate, Boswell shared with Johnson a huge appetite for life and…
The verdict
- Readers rate Life of Samuel Johnson highest: Life of Samuel Johnson 3.8 · A dictionary of the English language 3.6.
- Life of Samuel Johnson has the widest readership — 5424 ratings behind its score.
- A dictionary of the English language runs the darker storyline; Life of Samuel Johnson stays the lighter read.
How to choose
Scores by source
| A dictionary of the English language | Life of Samuel Johnson | |
|---|---|---|
| Goodreads | 3.6 (128) | 3.8 (5424) |
| Hardcover | — | 4.3 (3) |
| Apple Books | 3.5 (21) | — |
Reception
| A dictionary of the English language | Life of Samuel Johnson | |
|---|---|---|
| Ratings | 128 | 5424 |
| Editions | 104 | 238 |
| Film adaptations | 1 | 1 |
| Want to read | 1003 | 12455 |
| Pages | 464 | 567 |