This work investigates the intellectual evolution of Samuel Johnson’s theories on language and the practical challenges inherent in the creation of his seminal dictionary. Lynda Mugglestone, a scholar of the history of English, utilizes Johnson’s own extensive writings and lexicographical records to challenge popular misconceptions of him as a rigid linguistic authoritarian. The book argues that Johnson’s approach to the 'sea of words' was characterized by a nuanced, evolving awareness of the fluidity of language rather than a simple desire for control.

Scholars and linguists recognize this volume as a rigorous examination of Johnson’s lexicographical philosophy. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is intended for those with a specific interest in the history of English and the evolution of dictionary-making.