Defining the World: The Extraordinary Story of Dr Johnson's Dictionary

A Los Angeles Times Favorite Book of the Year. In 1746 Samuel Johnson undertook the Herculean task of writing the first comprehensive English dictionary. Imagining he could complete the job in three years Johnson in fact took more than eight and the dictionary itself turned out to be as much a work of literature as it was an invaluable reference. In alphabetized chapters from Adventurous to Zootomy Henry Hitchings tells of Johnsons toil and triumph and offers a closer look at the definitions themselves which were alive with invention poetry erudition and at times hilarious imprecision. The story of Johnsons adventure into the essence of words is an entertainment that sparkles on every page (The Philadelphia Inquirer).