A Pepys Anthology

by Samuel Pepys, Robert Latham (Editor), Linnet Latham (Editor)

Samuel Pepys (1633-1703) is known as the first published diarist. His eleven-volume work, written between 1660 and 1669, was first published in 1825. Ever since, this chronicler of his time has held readers' fascination. The essential anthology of selections from Samuel Pepys's famous diary is finally available in paperback. By collecting passages by subject, it provides a fresh look at some of the themes running through Pepys's massive work. Robert and Linnet Latham's lively presentation shows Pepys the man of fashion, the booklover, the musician and theatergoer as well as Pepys the husband and Pepys the public servant. Through descriptions of the everyday and of historic events like the Fire and the Plague, Pepys's life and times are revealed in all their richness and variety. For fans of the Diary , this work offers the opportunity to rediscover favorite passages; for anyone unfamiliar with Pepys, this anthology serves as a delightful introduction.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Diary, Memoir, Historical

300 pages, Paperback

First published October 22, 1987

About the author

Samuel Pepys was an English naval administrator and Member of Parliament, who is now most famous for his diary. Although Pepys had no maritime experience, he rose by patronage, hard work and his talent for administration, to be the Chief Secretary to the Admiralty under King James II. His influence and reforms at the Admiralty were important in the early professionalization of the Royal Navy.

The detailed private diary he kept during 1660–1669 was first published in the nineteenth century, and is one of the most important primary sources for the English Restoration period. It provides a combination of personal revelation and eyewitness accounts of great events, such as the Great Plague of London, the Second Dutch War and the Great Fire of London.

His surname is usually pronounced /'pi:ps/ ('peeps').

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really do like reading Pepys and this little book does contain some of the best passages from his diary. I also admire the monstrous amount of work done by Latham (and Matthews) in producing the full edition of Pepys's diary several decades ago. My problem with this anthology is that it is a reference book that cannot be used for reference: one cannot tell where sections have been edited without referring to the fuller version, and there are absolutely no footnotes (translations of some of the naughty bits would have been helpful as well). As a result, I can't quote from it. Yes, the excerpts are arranged thematically, but surely this is what an index is for?! In summary, a useless book.

[Robert Hepple · Rating 3 out of 5]

First published in this form in 1987, 'A Pepys Anthology' is a selection of excerpts from the diary of Samuel Pepys, which was written around 1660-1669 and first published in 1825. This is a themed selection of excerpts. Notwithstanding that this is a unique 'take' on 17th century life, the interest of the reader is likely to vary according to the areas covered. I found some sections to be very interesting, whilst others were to me both dull and trivial, and consequently hard to read. Nevertheless, a great change from the comfort zone of my usual subject areas.

[Sheri Mahalick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Discovered this junior year of high school and I still grab it up from time to time on a cold winter night to read with my feet up in front of a fire. Pepys is hilarious and entertaining, through all the fights with his wife and concerns over his clothes. The heartbreak and tension of plagues and fires are relatable.
Love it.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating anthology that separates into chapters sections of the diary and if you are dipping into it for the first time gives an interesting perspective of major points.
Each chapter has a little vignette and background info on the topic being discussed and enlarges the reader's knowledge before reading actual excerpts from the diary.
Interesting even if like me you have read the diary in its published entirety or if even as a first time reader it gives you a taste of the writing style and if you are interested in the period encourages you to read more.
Overall a good "companion" volume in the series and a must have if you are a fan of Pepys to enhance your collection.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

The greatest thing about this diary is that he was just a guy (albeit a fairly well-off minor government official) who wrote his diaries for himself; he never expected anyone else to read them and in fact employed a long-unbroken code for some of the racy stuff. The very fact that it's about day-to-day life in London: the execution of Charles I, the plague of 1665, the Great Fire of 1666, as well as just just stuff. It's cool to read about 17th century British "stuff".