- Hardcover: 322 pages
- Publisher: Faber and Faber; First Edition edition (16 Aug 2007)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0571227139
- ISBN-13: 978-0571227136
- Product Dimensions: 20.4 x 15.8 x 3.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
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- #2 in Books > History > Britain & Ireland > British Heads of State > Charles II
- #4 in Books > History > Britain & Ireland > British Heads of State > Charles I
- #10 in Books > Biography > Historical > Britain > Georgian to Victorian: 1701-1900
The Plot Against Pepys
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Product Description
Sunday Times
'Part spy tale, part courtroom drama, the book brilliantly re-creates the atmosphere prevalent at the time.'
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Daily Telegraph
'The authors have uncovered "the secret workings of the 17th century" and shaped them into a taut Restoration thriller.'
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Like Pepys' famous diary, the story starts with a mix of the consequential and the inconsequential and for a while the reader has to concentrate hard to sift the pieces into a discernable whole. But then it gathers pace and the value of the meticulous research comes through as we learn the extraordinary story of Pepys' contemporary and the villain of the piece, Col. John Scott. The book covers three plots - that of Titus Oates, Pepys own, and that of Capt. James Ayres. The story really starts with the Titus Oates allegations in 1678 and Pepys' peripheral role in the hunt for Godfrey's murderer. The frightening fanatical partisanship of the London mob, the lack of balance in the justice system and the fragility of the monarchy are well portrayed as the context to Pepys' arrest. Sidelined by the trial of strength between King and Parliament, Pepys has time to marshal his defence and we are given a detailed insight into the domestic and international intrigues in which he finds himself. The more his detractors attempt to blacken Pepys, the more we too search to find an adequate motive. The answers are provided at the end of the story, but only after a third plot - that of the wrecking of the Gloucester by Ayres - nearly includes Pepys among its victims.
Politics and religion are brave subjects for any narrator and the Longs have done well to keep the tale as objective as possible. While the story may lack some of the cohesive strength of Kenyon's "Popish Plot", in focussing on the plot on Pepys, it does highlight a tributary of that Whig conspiracy that Kenyon ignores. The research is thorough, so I'd be nit-picking to point out that Pepys being `elected' by Harwich, a Parliamentary borough of 32 voters in the pocket of the Admiralty, should be explained as typical of the undemocratic majority of the members of the Commons at the time. Also the Longs suggest Pepys, in contrast to his villainous contemporary, earned his success through diligent application. Given the factional distribution of office in those days, one is bound to wonder how much Pepys deserves such an accolade: This "man on the make" to use the Longs' description, must have demonstrated some shrewd politicking himself to survive the fallout of the Anglo-French v Dutch war of 1672-4 and end up Secretary of the Admiralty, a period not explored by the Longs. Nevertheless, a reasonable perspective, especially to those new to the period.
Politics and religion are brave subjects for any narrator and the Longs have done well to keep the tale as objective as possible. While the story may lack some of the cohesive strength of Kenyon's "Popish Plot", in focussing on the plot on Pepys, it does highlight a tributary of that Whig conspiracy that Kenyon ignores. The research is thorough, so I'd be nit-picking to point out that Pepys being `elected' by Harwich, a Parliamentary borough of 32 voters in the pocket of the Admiralty, should be explained as typical of the undemocratic majority of the members of the Commons at the time. Also the Longs suggest Pepys, in contrast to his villainous contemporary, earned his success through diligent application. Given the factional distribution of office in those days, one is bound to wonder how much Pepys deserves such an accolade: This "man on the make" to use the Longs' description, must have demonstrated some shrewd politicking himself to survive the fallout of the Anglo-French v Dutch war of 1672-4 and end up Secretary of the Admiralty, a period not explored by the Longs. Nevertheless, a reasonable perspective, especially to those new to the period.
12 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A fantastic read! Was recommended by a friend and i can honestly say it was one of the few books i've read that kept me awake on the 7am train to work! Brilliantly paced and full of an astounding level of detail, the Plot Against Pepys was a delight to read. The Long's breathe life into the intrigue of the period; plots, counter plots and dramatic ship wrecks are all described with equal gusto. The descriptions of 17th century London and Pepys endeavours are full of great writing but when combined with the outrageous adventures of Colonel John Scott, the book becomes a true page turner. Would definitely recommend!
5 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a strange half-a-book. To complain about the outcome may seem a little nonsensical, but it would be right to criticise the authors' choice of focus to create the relatively feeble denouement at the end at the expense of writing a book of more substance.
Apart from the odd chapter the 1st half was very enjoyable, but the book then exposes its dead-end, made worse with a corresponding deterioration of language; banal clichés and many tedious repetitions to pad out the pages to a saleable amount added insult to disappointment. At the conclusion I did begrudge the time spent, what at the start appeared to be a 4 star effort descended to 2 stars, I suppose 3 is a fair mark.
*N.B. the number of pages is not 480, not including the index there are 277.
Apart from the odd chapter the 1st half was very enjoyable, but the book then exposes its dead-end, made worse with a corresponding deterioration of language; banal clichés and many tedious repetitions to pad out the pages to a saleable amount added insult to disappointment. At the conclusion I did begrudge the time spent, what at the start appeared to be a 4 star effort descended to 2 stars, I suppose 3 is a fair mark.
*N.B. the number of pages is not 480, not including the index there are 277.
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