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'Much of the credit for the striking success of these recordings must go to Kenneth Branagh. Whether it is the Plague or the Fire of London or Pepy's amorous marital and extra-marital activities or his financial affairs, Branagh recounts them with admirable bounce, forthrightness and good humour.' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
The 1660s represent a turning point in English history, and for the main events - the Restoration, the Dutch War, the Great Plague, the Fire of London - Pepys provides a definitive eyewitness account. Along with lively descriptions of his socializing, his amorous entanglements, his theatre-going & music-making. Unequalled for its frankness, high spirits & sharp observations, the diary is both a literary masterpiece & a marvellous portrait of 17th-century life.
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Blessed be God, at the end of the last year I was in very good health, without any sense of my old pain but upon taking of cold. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Blessed be God, at the end of the last year I was in very good health, without any sense of my old pain but upon taking of cold. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is another fascinating historical biography that reads more like a novel than a stuffy factual book. Virtually everyone knows the name of Samuel Pepys. Ah yes, he's the man who wrote the diary. This is of course true, but do they actually know anything about the man behind the name of Samuel Pepys. What for instance were his feelings on the politicians of the day. What were his own ambitions and aspirations.
Pepys was a naval administrator and friend and confidant of some of the most famous and powerful people in London. Sex, the plague, music, marital conflict, naval life, public executions and incarcerations in the Tower of London. These are just some of the colourful events in the life of a man famous for his writing of a diary.
The book contains a wealth of interesting material about the life of a man who's name goes before him. Everyone knows his name, but few know of the life of the man himself. More importantly his diary gives a wonderful insight into the period that he lived in. Written not from the point of view of a historian but simply as a man who is living his life.
Pepys was a naval administrator and friend and confidant of some of the most famous and powerful people in London. Sex, the plague, music, marital conflict, naval life, public executions and incarcerations in the Tower of London. These are just some of the colourful events in the life of a man famous for his writing of a diary.
The book contains a wealth of interesting material about the life of a man who's name goes before him. Everyone knows his name, but few know of the life of the man himself. More importantly his diary gives a wonderful insight into the period that he lived in. Written not from the point of view of a historian but simply as a man who is living his life.
Format:Paperback
Really enjoyed reading this selection of the Diaries. Great if you like history and especially if you know London well, particularly the City and along the Thames. It gives a wonderful insight into how people lived back in the day along with important moments of history decsribed and perceived by a man of the time in a way that brings everything to life, you can almost feel lke you are there walking the streets alongside him. Want to read all his Diaries now!
9 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio Cassette
I've been listening to these diaries on the train, and they're wonderful, surprisingly contemporary for a guy who was writing around the time of the Great Fire of London, now commemorated by the Monument.
Samuel Pepys is a civil servant, having to wade through the red tape and intrigues of his role in the navy. He's enjoying a tumultous relationship with his wife and the way he acts towards her pisses me off occasionally, especially as he's quick to put her in her place at times.
I confess a soft spot for Pepys, despite his womanising, but otherwise overmeticulous mindset, which makes him incredibly irritating at times! He is eminently human, trying to do his best in situations where, often, he has to make concessions, necessary transgressions, small deviations from what might be 'right'. I don't exactly like him, but I feel for him, not least because, in essence, he's a nice guy with some dislikable sides.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A very damp squib
Book arrived with curled pages had seemingly been wet at some time packed in card with no shrink wrap can't believe it was sent out like it but how it got wet Royal Mail or Amazon... Read more
Published 5 months ago by peasy
The diary of Samuel Pepys
He is/was famous for a reason ... loads going on, and Kenneth Branagh brings it alive ... The one I have is on cassette, so I can only play it in the car, but don't let that... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Cammo
Excellent way to learn about some of England's history
I actually didn't listen to this audio book, but the one read by Kenneth Branagh and it that one at least is excellent. 'The unequalled self' biography is the perfect accompaniment
Published on 5 Jan 2004
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