James Boswell

"This first complete reprint of James Boswell's book on Corsica since the eighteenth century is enhanced by comprehensive annotation, textual apparatus, and a critical introduction. Boswell designed his text in two parts, first, an "Account" of Corsica, which gives a historical, political, socioeconomic, and cultural overview of the Corsican people, and second, the "Journal" of his tour to see the Corsican leader Pascal Paoli in 1765. This edition, unlike so many reprints of just the "Journal," allows the reader to appreciate Boswell's original design." "The young and adventuresome Boswell wanted to write a book that would swing public opinion, and perhaps the British government, to support the Corsicans in their struggle for independence. He was well aware that his English readers had but the haziest ideas about Corsica, gleaned from just snatches of news in the papers. The first part would therefore provide the context within which to understand and appreciate his account of his journey to and meeting with Paoli." "The complete text also illustrates aspects of Boswell that have received less attention than they might, namely, his sense of history, his political enthusiasm for national liberty, and his scholarship."--BOOK JACKET.

This is a unique celebration of that most beautiful and self-possessed of creatures--the cat. More than 50 poems are included, reflecting every feline mood: the comic, the aristocratic, the lazy, the cunning, the fierce, the inscrutable. Lovers of cats and lovers of poetry will be delighted by the wide-ranging nature of the collection by poets such as T.S. Elliot, Ted Hughes, W.B. Yeats, William Wordsworth, Edward Lear and many others. One of the most attractive features of the book is the choice of pictures. A stunning selection of drawings and paintings by such artists and illustrators as Renoir, Manet, Picasso, Hogarth, Cruikshank and Lear add to the charm of the verse, making this a book to be treasured by cat lovers everywhere.

Picaresque satire concerning a modern-day Boswell, a strong man, who collects celebrities in order to build up his ego.

The shape of the years to come emerges from this volume of which more than one-half is occupied by the London journals.