Description
A very presentable copy, with a previous owner’s inscription inside front, very lightly browned around the outer edges but seemingly barely read with no notable creases or wear. Covers firm and secure, with gilt titles bright and only some minor bumps at the corners from normal handling and shelving. Hardback book, 19cm by 14cm by 3.5cm. There is a little foxing on a few pages but over all very good clean condition for its age. Postage and packing is included in the price.
The Diary runs from 1659 to May 1669. Introduction & notes by by G. Gregory Smith. Green cloth cover with Bright gilt central publisher’s design and blind stamped lines. Gilt lettering to spine.
On 1 January 1660, Pepys began to keep a diary. He recorded his daily life for almost 10 years. This record of a decade of Pepys’ life is more than a million words long and is often regarded as Britain’s most celebrated diary. Pepys has been called the greatest diarist of all time due to his frankness in writing concerning his own weaknesses and the accuracy with which he records events of daily British life and major events in the 17th century. Pepys wrote about the contemporary court and theatre (including his amorous affairs with the actresses), his household, and major political and social occurrences. Historians have used his diary to gain greater insight and understanding of life in London in the 17th century. Pepys wrote consistently on subjects such as personal finances, the time he got up in the morning, the weather, and what he ate. He wrote at length about his new watch which he was very proud of (and which had an alarm, a new accessory at the time), a country visitor who did not enjoy his time in London because he felt that it was too crowded, and his cat waking him up at one in the morning. Pepys’ diary is one of a very few sources which provides such length in details of everyday life of an upper-middle-class man during the 17th century. The descriptions of the lives of his servants like Jane Birch provide a valuable detailed insight into their lives.
Aside from day-to-day activities, Pepys also commented on the significant and turbulent events of his nation, England.
This book was donated to CADVAS to help fund our activities.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.