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Great Diaries: The World's Greatest Diaries, Notebooks, and Letters Revealed
Travel back in time and share the experience of everyday thoughts and great moments in history in this fascinating compilation of diaries through the ages.
Great Diaries traces the history of the diary from ancient times to the present day, bringing together more than 80 historical and literary diaries, artists' sketchbooks, explorers' journals, and scientists' notebooks. Discover what it was like to build a pyramid, sail the seas with Magellan, travel into the heart of Africa, or serve on the Western Front. Find out how writers and artists planned their masterpieces, and how scientists developed their groundbreaking theories.
Great Diaries takes you into the pages of the world's greatest diaries and notebooks, including those of Samuel Pepys, Charles Darwin, Henry-David Thoreau, the Goncourt brothers, Virginia Woolf, and Anne Frank, and shows you what they looked like. Stunning images of the original notebooks and manuscripts are complemented by key extracts and close-ups of important details. Feature boxes provide additional biographical information and set the works in their cultural and historical context.
Essential reading for everyone who is passionate about history and literature, Great Diaries provides an intimate insight into the lives and thoughts of some of the most interesting people of the last 2,000 years.
Great Diaries traces the history of the diary from ancient times to the present day, bringing together more than 80 historical and literary diaries, artists' sketchbooks, explorers' journals, and scientists' notebooks. Discover what it was like to build a pyramid, sail the seas with Magellan, travel into the heart of Africa, or serve on the Western Front. Find out how writers and artists planned their masterpieces, and how scientists developed their groundbreaking theories.
Great Diaries takes you into the pages of the world's greatest diaries and notebooks, including those of Samuel Pepys, Charles Darwin, Henry-David Thoreau, the Goncourt brothers, Virginia Woolf, and Anne Frank, and shows you what they looked like. Stunning images of the original notebooks and manuscripts are complemented by key extracts and close-ups of important details. Feature boxes provide additional biographical information and set the works in their cultural and historical context.
Essential reading for everyone who is passionate about history and literature, Great Diaries provides an intimate insight into the lives and thoughts of some of the most interesting people of the last 2,000 years.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2020
48 people are currently reading
1182 people want to read
About the author
D.K. Publishing
9,022 books2,115 followersDorling Kindersley (DK) is a British multinational publishing company specializing in illustrated reference books for adults and children in 62 languages. It is part of Penguin Random House, a consumer publishing company jointly owned by Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA and Pearson PLC. Bertelsmann owns 53% of the company and Pearson owns 47%.
Established in 1974, DK publishes a range of titles in genres including travel (including Eyewitness Travel Guides), arts and crafts, business, history, cooking, gaming, gardening, health and fitness, natural history, parenting, science and reference. They also publish books for children, toddlers and babies, covering such topics as history, the human body, animals and activities, as well as licensed properties such as LEGO, Disney and DeLiSo, licensor of the toy Sophie la Girafe. DK has offices in New York, London, Munich, New Delhi, Toronto and Melbourne.
Source: Wikipedia.
Established in 1974, DK publishes a range of titles in genres including travel (including Eyewitness Travel Guides), arts and crafts, business, history, cooking, gaming, gardening, health and fitness, natural history, parenting, science and reference. They also publish books for children, toddlers and babies, covering such topics as history, the human body, animals and activities, as well as licensed properties such as LEGO, Disney and DeLiSo, licensor of the toy Sophie la Girafe. DK has offices in New York, London, Munich, New Delhi, Toronto and Melbourne.
Source: Wikipedia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
November 13, 2025
One of the productive uses of books like this, beyond serving an idle curiosity, is the discovery of works that often go unreferenced and to which one's reading might never lead. I found three.
The first is the travel diary of Ahmad Ibn Fadlan. Ahmad was sent by the ruler of the Abbasid Empire (circa 921 CE) on an embassy to the Bulgars on the Volga River. He traveled from Central Asia to what is now Russia, and his journal is best known for its graphic account of the customs of the Rus. These were the early Vikings and what a well-educated Islamic scholar might have to say about what he saw could, to me at least, prove interesting.
The second is the diary of Alice James, sister of Henry and William. She suffered from debilitating mental issues - then diagnosed as hysteria - and apparently produced writings that are "unsparing" in their self-analysis.
The third is more of a lark - the whaling diary of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who somehow found himself voyaging to the Arctic as a ship's surgeon. He tumbled into the sea three times on his six-month journey and is said to have produced a vivid and intensely detailed account of life on the hunt in the polar regions.
The compendium is extensive and ordered chronologically, from the Pharaohs to Kurt Cobain. The more esteemed journals receive the most attention (Leonardo, Magellan, Pepys, Linnaeus, Cook and Von Humboldt among them). There are photographs aplenty. All continents, it seems, are covered and a number of professions - primarily artists, scientists, soldiers, writers and explorers. It's a fine large book, if a bit basic. Should historical insights be of interest, there's a lot here to appeal.
The first is the travel diary of Ahmad Ibn Fadlan. Ahmad was sent by the ruler of the Abbasid Empire (circa 921 CE) on an embassy to the Bulgars on the Volga River. He traveled from Central Asia to what is now Russia, and his journal is best known for its graphic account of the customs of the Rus. These were the early Vikings and what a well-educated Islamic scholar might have to say about what he saw could, to me at least, prove interesting.
The second is the diary of Alice James, sister of Henry and William. She suffered from debilitating mental issues - then diagnosed as hysteria - and apparently produced writings that are "unsparing" in their self-analysis.
The third is more of a lark - the whaling diary of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who somehow found himself voyaging to the Arctic as a ship's surgeon. He tumbled into the sea three times on his six-month journey and is said to have produced a vivid and intensely detailed account of life on the hunt in the polar regions.
The compendium is extensive and ordered chronologically, from the Pharaohs to Kurt Cobain. The more esteemed journals receive the most attention (Leonardo, Magellan, Pepys, Linnaeus, Cook and Von Humboldt among them). There are photographs aplenty. All continents, it seems, are covered and a number of professions - primarily artists, scientists, soldiers, writers and explorers. It's a fine large book, if a bit basic. Should historical insights be of interest, there's a lot here to appeal.
February 22, 2021
Being a fan of the Dear America and Royal Diary series, I'd have loved reading this as a middle grader. As an adult, I'm a fan of any interactive, personal, visually-focused means of learning history. Diaries are a unique way to learn about a time period, and this volume shows there's much more than just Samuel Pepys and Anne Frank.
I would have appreciated a more ethnically diverse cast of diaries--Charlotte Forten Grimké would have been a wonderful inclusion, for one--but the choices were all interesting on their own, and each one was chosen to explore a movement larger than one diarist. I get a kick out of seeing lots of different types of handwriting, and it was fun to see so many different examples. Personal favorites include Beatrix Potter, Marie Skłodowska Curie, and Carolina Maria de Jesus.
A "directory" is included at the end of every chronological section, listing other notable diaries from the period. This was particularly interesting, because these diaries are often less widely available. The Pillow Book of Sei Shōnagon (Japanese, c. 993- c. 1002 CE) predated Buzzfeed with lists like "Things That Irritate Me" and "Things That Make Me Fondly Recall the Past." Explorers, scientists, artists, and regular folk mingle in this book, making it one of the more fascinating examinations of human history I've read.
I would have appreciated a more ethnically diverse cast of diaries--Charlotte Forten Grimké would have been a wonderful inclusion, for one--but the choices were all interesting on their own, and each one was chosen to explore a movement larger than one diarist. I get a kick out of seeing lots of different types of handwriting, and it was fun to see so many different examples. Personal favorites include Beatrix Potter, Marie Skłodowska Curie, and Carolina Maria de Jesus.
A "directory" is included at the end of every chronological section, listing other notable diaries from the period. This was particularly interesting, because these diaries are often less widely available. The Pillow Book of Sei Shōnagon (Japanese, c. 993- c. 1002 CE) predated Buzzfeed with lists like "Things That Irritate Me" and "Things That Make Me Fondly Recall the Past." Explorers, scientists, artists, and regular folk mingle in this book, making it one of the more fascinating examinations of human history I've read.
May 12, 2022
Remarkable Diaries is a collection of diaries, journals, and letters going back to the time of the Pharaohs up to current day. It is exquisitely beautiful, with each selection getting at least a 2 page color spread that features an excerpt, quotes, contextual information and illustrations, and something about the influence or importance of the work. I appreciated that the selections chosen by the editors featured contributions from around the globe - and, like all good books about books, when I finished this one, I had added a number of other works to my TBR list. This is the perfect book to have out on a coffee table to dip in and out of, a couple of pages at a time.
June 19, 2021
I really enjoyed reading this book.
I found it interesting from the historical factor of how these diaries have been preserved for all these years.
As you read the diaries or letters you get a sense of understanding of how the individual must of been feeling at the time when they wrote it.
This is time travelling at its best and all from the comfort of your living room (or wherever you are reading)!
The book is explicitly written and set out.
I would recommend it to anybody who enjoys their history and would like to get some understanding of great historical figures such as the ancient Egyptian’s,Da Vinci, Bram Stoker and Anne Frank to name a few.
I found it interesting from the historical factor of how these diaries have been preserved for all these years.
As you read the diaries or letters you get a sense of understanding of how the individual must of been feeling at the time when they wrote it.
This is time travelling at its best and all from the comfort of your living room (or wherever you are reading)!
The book is explicitly written and set out.
I would recommend it to anybody who enjoys their history and would like to get some understanding of great historical figures such as the ancient Egyptian’s,Da Vinci, Bram Stoker and Anne Frank to name a few.
January 5, 2022
The best coffee table book I've encountered so far giving the fact that I read it in 3 sessions. Naturally, it offers a wide range of historical personalities who left us a unique perspective on the events in their life.
The book is lacking variety though, for example, asian, african, south american, Balkan diarists would be a great asset in the second edition
The book is lacking variety though, for example, asian, african, south american, Balkan diarists would be a great asset in the second edition
January 25, 2021
Another beautiful book by DK with large, colorful pictures of the diaries themselves and a plethora of information about the writers. You really get a little biography with each diarists -- and lots of new books to add to your TBR list.
April 27, 2021
Stunningly beautiful.
June 15, 2021
This may have been the first coffee table book I have read from cover to cover. Usually, like most people, I just skim through them when I notice them.
In this case, though, it is a very fine history of diaries, notebooks and letters that runs from around 2,500 BC to the 1990s. It covers the famous -- Da Vinci, Anne Frank, Alexander von Humboldt -- to the obscure -- an Indian bureaucrat, an enslaved U.S. Navy yard worker, a Christian mystic.
Seen individually, each entry is a beautifully illustrated guide to the writer's work and time; as a whole, it is a tour d'horizon of world history.
Were I to have one quibble, it would be the modern section. People such as Andy Warhol and Alan Bennett get only tiny mentions and the history tends to tail off.
But overall, magnificent. a real joy.
In this case, though, it is a very fine history of diaries, notebooks and letters that runs from around 2,500 BC to the 1990s. It covers the famous -- Da Vinci, Anne Frank, Alexander von Humboldt -- to the obscure -- an Indian bureaucrat, an enslaved U.S. Navy yard worker, a Christian mystic.
Seen individually, each entry is a beautifully illustrated guide to the writer's work and time; as a whole, it is a tour d'horizon of world history.
Were I to have one quibble, it would be the modern section. People such as Andy Warhol and Alan Bennett get only tiny mentions and the history tends to tail off.
But overall, magnificent. a real joy.
August 10, 2025
I've kept a diary since I was nine. It has a hunter green leatherette cover and a tiny lock whose key is long lost. I got it at a Scholastic Book Fair when I lived on Tecera Island in the Azores, Portugal. I've written in diaries for over four decades.
Unlike the diarists in this gorgeous book, my journals will likely never be of interest to anyone beyond myself, and I hardly ever reread them. Still, I have four decades of journals packed carefully away. I love my own journals. I love other people's, too, though I usually skim them. I just dip in and out and read little snippets. My favorites are the ones full of sketches. Leonardo DaVinci's best of all.
Oh, I wish I could sketch.
Unlike the diarists in this gorgeous book, my journals will likely never be of interest to anyone beyond myself, and I hardly ever reread them. Still, I have four decades of journals packed carefully away. I love my own journals. I love other people's, too, though I usually skim them. I just dip in and out and read little snippets. My favorites are the ones full of sketches. Leonardo DaVinci's best of all.
Oh, I wish I could sketch.
September 6, 2024
Got this from the library. Fascinating read, summarizing and referencing with pictures many diaries from great writers, artists, travelers, soldiers, and other figures in history. Amazing to see the different handwriting styles used and the artwork of those who painted and put drawings in their diaries. A couple potentially disturbing art pieces included.
June 22, 2021
An absolutely gorgeous book that includes sample pages from the diary or notebook, excerpts, information about the author, and information about the context of the time and environment in which the diary was created. If you keep a diary, as I do, it’s a safe bet that you will be delighted and inspired by this compilation.
January 30, 2021
This is a unique take on history. The diaries of famous people through out time is engrossing with beautiful illustrations to accompany each entry. An ingenious gift for a history buff as well as a coffee table book people would actually pick up and read.
November 24, 2022
A fascinating look into the private thoughts of people across the world and spanning centuries. Beautifully designed. Reading it made me wonder how much has been lost from the countless diaries that have been destroyed or otherwise lost to the ages.
August 13, 2022
I loved this. It has inspired me to get back into journaling with an extra creative flair.
September 16, 2023
It's no secret to those who know me well that I am a faithful keeper of journals ... I even feel my book reviews are sort of personal record of my journey ...I'm meticulous about jotting down notes and impressions when I have them -- so of course when I saw this book it appealed to me! I had no idea it would take me so long to get through it. It's a big one, a really beautiful hardback, meaning I could only truly enjoy it in those spare relaxing moments at home.
I really loved it. Some well-known names, others about people and stories I had never heard of. I especially liked those that included sketches and illustrations, words give only one dimension and I loved how the drawings were an even greater window into the experiences shared. The book is structured as a timeline, beginning with a few centuries span of the most ancient personal record-keeping, and then shortening to groups of decades, bringing us to present day. When you think about it, personal diaries being as they are now, and in the context of time with life on earth, actually haven't existed for very long.
Below are a few notes from some of my favorites ... years listed are the span of journal/notebooks, not the life of the author.
Matsuo Basho: Poet 1689-1694 Poetry and watercolor. Observations of simple wonders and people he met in his travels. Best known for his haikus.
Carl Linnaeus: Botanist 1732-1741 Created the system of classification of the natural world that is still used today. "I do not know how the world could persist gracefully if but a single animal species were to vanish from it."
Elizabeth Sandwith Drinker: Quaker 1758-1807 2100 pages! What an amazing piece of history to have a firsthand account of the years leading up to and during the American journey to independence. Encountered great difficulty when as pacifists they would not enter into the revolutionary cause. "We had near 70 panes of glass broken .. when they threw stones into the house." (description of an anti-loyalist attack in 1781)
Beatrix Potter: Writer and Illustrator 1881-1897 Had a highly critical and disapproving mother, wrote in secret code to keep her mother from reading! It took a Potter expert years to decipher the writing and complete the task of decoding the text.
Siegfried Sassoon: War Poet 1915-1918 Eyewitness to the Somme Disaster, an intense battle he experienced in a trench dugout, in which 19,000 British soldiers were killed in one day. "The dead bodies lying about the trenches ... will haunt me till I die."
I really loved it. Some well-known names, others about people and stories I had never heard of. I especially liked those that included sketches and illustrations, words give only one dimension and I loved how the drawings were an even greater window into the experiences shared. The book is structured as a timeline, beginning with a few centuries span of the most ancient personal record-keeping, and then shortening to groups of decades, bringing us to present day. When you think about it, personal diaries being as they are now, and in the context of time with life on earth, actually haven't existed for very long.
Below are a few notes from some of my favorites ... years listed are the span of journal/notebooks, not the life of the author.
Matsuo Basho: Poet 1689-1694 Poetry and watercolor. Observations of simple wonders and people he met in his travels. Best known for his haikus.
Carl Linnaeus: Botanist 1732-1741 Created the system of classification of the natural world that is still used today. "I do not know how the world could persist gracefully if but a single animal species were to vanish from it."
Elizabeth Sandwith Drinker: Quaker 1758-1807 2100 pages! What an amazing piece of history to have a firsthand account of the years leading up to and during the American journey to independence. Encountered great difficulty when as pacifists they would not enter into the revolutionary cause. "We had near 70 panes of glass broken .. when they threw stones into the house." (description of an anti-loyalist attack in 1781)
Beatrix Potter: Writer and Illustrator 1881-1897 Had a highly critical and disapproving mother, wrote in secret code to keep her mother from reading! It took a Potter expert years to decipher the writing and complete the task of decoding the text.
Siegfried Sassoon: War Poet 1915-1918 Eyewitness to the Somme Disaster, an intense battle he experienced in a trench dugout, in which 19,000 British soldiers were killed in one day. "The dead bodies lying about the trenches ... will haunt me till I die."
May 10, 2023
We're at the end of the school yeeeaaaaarrrrr (I'm almost done YAAAAAY - tho not with SCHOOL in general [AS IF AHAHAH], but like...ya).
Now that I'm at the end, I get to bomb-finish all these school books that I've slooooooooowly read in class all year. So ya.
BOMB!
To um actually REVIEW this book instead of just ranting about my school schedule maybe 3 people in the world care about (me, my mom, my dad), HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS:
As a journaliiiist (Not the kind who writes articles about pOLiTiCs in the Washington Post or something, but the kind who writes in an ACTUAL journal... am I a diarist then?? Is that the "correct" and "proper" term? THE POMPOCITY. It sounds too bad! It sounds like the "diary" I wrote all my "secrets" in when I was 7 years old; enscriptions of how I put my boogers in the carpet and that my conscience was Charlotte the spider, YES INDEED from the E. B. White book. But it wasn't really a diary since I let my dad read it. But still. I refuse to call myself a diarist because that dumb pink floral pocketbook from Walmart that 7-year-old me thought was so sPeShAL is what I associate with ME and the term DIARIST. So "journalist" will have to do.)
Hem. As I was saying. AS A JOURNALIST (not a political one, mind you), I found this book (yes, what we are actually talking about) to be very f a s h i n a t i n g . . . .
I think it's really cool to look at other people's notebooks and journals as a journalist myself. It's RELATABLE, is what I just can't say in 2 words or less. Why have 2 words when you can have 2 sentences??
Back to the "review." Again.
It was quite interesting to see the different journal styles, handwritings, and other fun nuances of weee the journaling cOmMunItTy. I was entertained by the wide range of INTRISTING people this book covered.
But weee the journaling cOmMunItTy are nutcases. I am your exhibit A.
My definition of a "book review" is so far different from yours, for example. This is my personal rant corner. My reviews are my enscriptions that probably only myself finds to be funny.
But in actuallity:
I am not funny.
*everyone leaves*
Anyhoo. That was an entertaining 15 minutes! :D
(HEH, FOR ME ONLY....)
Now that I'm at the end, I get to bomb-finish all these school books that I've slooooooooowly read in class all year. So ya.
BOMB!
To um actually REVIEW this book instead of just ranting about my school schedule maybe 3 people in the world care about (me, my mom, my dad), HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS:
As a journaliiiist (Not the kind who writes articles about pOLiTiCs in the Washington Post or something, but the kind who writes in an ACTUAL journal... am I a diarist then?? Is that the "correct" and "proper" term? THE POMPOCITY. It sounds too bad! It sounds like the "diary" I wrote all my "secrets" in when I was 7 years old; enscriptions of how I put my boogers in the carpet and that my conscience was Charlotte the spider, YES INDEED from the E. B. White book. But it wasn't really a diary since I let my dad read it. But still. I refuse to call myself a diarist because that dumb pink floral pocketbook from Walmart that 7-year-old me thought was so sPeShAL is what I associate with ME and the term DIARIST. So "journalist" will have to do.)
Hem. As I was saying. AS A JOURNALIST (not a political one, mind you), I found this book (yes, what we are actually talking about) to be very f a s h i n a t i n g . . . .
I think it's really cool to look at other people's notebooks and journals as a journalist myself. It's RELATABLE, is what I just can't say in 2 words or less. Why have 2 words when you can have 2 sentences??
Back to the "review." Again.
It was quite interesting to see the different journal styles, handwritings, and other fun nuances of weee the journaling cOmMunItTy. I was entertained by the wide range of INTRISTING people this book covered.
But weee the journaling cOmMunItTy are nutcases. I am your exhibit A.
My definition of a "book review" is so far different from yours, for example. This is my personal rant corner. My reviews are my enscriptions that probably only myself finds to be funny.
But in actuallity:
I am not funny.
*everyone leaves*
Anyhoo. That was an entertaining 15 minutes! :D
(HEH, FOR ME ONLY....)
"My reviews are my enscriptions that probably only myself finds to be funny.
May 28, 2025
Disclaimer: I didn’t read everything cuz I had to return it to the library the day after BUT I did manage to read a good majority!
The book is divided into different time periods, exploring the journals, notebooks and diaries of notable figures of the time. They give a blurb about who the writer is, why they wrote their journal and a brief summary of what the journal entails. Then, they provide a photo of what the actual journal, manuscript or copy of it looks like which is absolutely fascinating! You can see that person’s handwriting, their annotations, the quality of the paper-it’s beautiful!
I also appreciate that they provide contexts regarding the time periods or the major events the writers were living through at that time, and a quote from the journal itself. For some of the writers, they explore some of the journals more, thus occupying four pages instead of the usual two-page spread.
I especially loved reading about the diaries/notebooks of authors and artists! What their handwriting looks like, how they occupied the pages, what they wrote about-it’s a good insight into the life of an artist at that specific time!
I have removed a star from my rating due to the neutral stance of colonisation and exploitation that the author chose when regarding some people in the book. Of course, all their atrocities cannot be covered in the book but I found some of the phrasing of their misadventures to be off-putting.
That being said, if you are a fan of journaling or just love notebooks, this is the book for you! You will be greatly inspired to go back to your neglected journal or start a new one!
The book is divided into different time periods, exploring the journals, notebooks and diaries of notable figures of the time. They give a blurb about who the writer is, why they wrote their journal and a brief summary of what the journal entails. Then, they provide a photo of what the actual journal, manuscript or copy of it looks like which is absolutely fascinating! You can see that person’s handwriting, their annotations, the quality of the paper-it’s beautiful!
I also appreciate that they provide contexts regarding the time periods or the major events the writers were living through at that time, and a quote from the journal itself. For some of the writers, they explore some of the journals more, thus occupying four pages instead of the usual two-page spread.
I especially loved reading about the diaries/notebooks of authors and artists! What their handwriting looks like, how they occupied the pages, what they wrote about-it’s a good insight into the life of an artist at that specific time!
I have removed a star from my rating due to the neutral stance of colonisation and exploitation that the author chose when regarding some people in the book. Of course, all their atrocities cannot be covered in the book but I found some of the phrasing of their misadventures to be off-putting.
That being said, if you are a fan of journaling or just love notebooks, this is the book for you! You will be greatly inspired to go back to your neglected journal or start a new one!
January 5, 2024
I didn’t expect my first read of 2024 to be a weighty coffee table book but such is Covid isolation. I picked up this book second hand a couple of years ago and it is really rich - both visually and in terms of content. Historically significant diaries and their writers are given two- or four-page spreads, featuring high quality images (often approximately life size) of original pages or their oldest extant transcriptions. It’s a fascinating exploration of the scraps that make up history, as well as of human expression and interiority. Although published in 2020, the most recent diaries featured date from the early- and mid-nineties. That the age of the internet and mobile computing has greatly influenced the manner and volume of personal record is certain, but I found the omission of the early twenty-first century a bit odd. There are many fascinating non-English-speaking diarists included throughout, but the selection does skew towards the US and Europe. I particularly enjoyed the emphasis on aesthetics throughout, whether it was commenting on a notebook’s format, a writer’s style with the pen, their addition of sketches or illustrations, or the editor providing contextual imagery from the period. I recommend this for curious minds of all ages, but perhaps particularly for older kids as an introduction to some historical figures and inspiration for how they might find non-digital self-expression.
June 3, 2021
I’ve been wondering whether and what people are privately documenting about the world-changing events of the past few years. So, reading this coffee table book feels timely. Each chapter chronologically covers profiles (with snippets) of diaries/journals from a particular time period starting before 1500 and ending around the 1990s. The pages are full of beautiful visual snapshots of actual pages with translations. There is mix of writers, artists, thinkers, and leaders (too many familiar names to list) but happily some “ordinary” folks are mixed in with really good gender balance. Some that stand out in my mind: Asian diaries from 1400-1600s written by royal court women and a Korean War general (beautiful calligraphy!), John Muir, Van Gogh, Beatrix Potter, Saharan explorer Isabelle Eberhardt, Anais Nin, a Brazilian diary of a single mother living in a favela (slum) and a 56-day dairy of a Japanese physician that starts the day Hiroshima was bombed (Dr Hachiya was a mile away from the epicenter of the atomic bombing and directed the local hospital).
History classes would have been a lot more fun if they had been presented in a format like this. What I like most is the mix of perspectives from each period so you get a sense of the people and preoccupations of that time.
History classes would have been a lot more fun if they had been presented in a format like this. What I like most is the mix of perspectives from each period so you get a sense of the people and preoccupations of that time.
October 18, 2024
As an elementary school kid the Amelia's Notebook series was one of my favorites. As a middle schooler I was very into the Dear America, My Name is America, and Royal Diaries series, which in turn got me into history. I also started writing in journals around this time, so I know my younger self would have loved this book. Told with photos, original diary pages, and backgrounds of various diarists, this stunning collection presents a variety of diaries written throughout history. From ancient civilizations, political leaders, authors, scientists, and historical figures, there is something for every kind of writer here.
Personal favorites include Anne Frank, Beatrix Potter, Lewis Carroll, and Henry David Thoreau.
Personal favorites include Anne Frank, Beatrix Potter, Lewis Carroll, and Henry David Thoreau.
January 8, 2022
Beautiful and well published. Two major complaints, One, overwhelmingly focused on Western authors, and mostly the ones you'd expect. Two, the editors use the heading "Dubious Treatment" to refer to the electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) Sylvia Plath had in 1953. At the time, there were no medicines available to treat depression and ECT was and is an effective treatment for the condition. In fact, in 1953 it was the ONLY effective treatment for depression. Labeling it dubious is factually wrong and promulgates the stigma associated with mental illness and what is often a life saving treatment for those with severe depression. For a book written in 2020, this is inexcusable.
March 12, 2022
The title says it all. A fascinating look at the journals, diaries, and letters that helped shape our history. This covers the earliest recorded diaries all through present day. Lots of little tidbits of information that had me googling for even more info on certain writers and beautifully illustrated with actual photographs of the real journals and pages. It’s a big, coffee table sized book, a little heavy to hold and read for long periods of time, but it had to be to include as much information as they did.
May 25, 2021
This book is beautifully illustrated and so interesting, providing an introduction to some of the great diaries, note and letters across a vast spectrum of time which one can use as a lead to pursue in full the ones that look totally intriguing. I really love the quality of DK books and how reasonably priced they are.
August 2, 2022
For the bibliophile, this book is for you. It is a fun and intriguing reference to the world of great authors and those that have made their mark in history. This book is crafted beautifully and the photographic pages are colorful and as beautiful. DK Publishing has done it again, for you will go back and read, admire, and ponder the pages over and over again.
December 21, 2023
I greatly enjoyed this book. It's not a book that I necessarily read every single word, but rather enjoyed a slow look through each page and then going back to read the diaries that interested me most. I will go back again and again. Very interesting look into some ancient writing up until the present time. Highly recommend.
July 13, 2021
This is a remarkable DK book that shares bits of journals across the ages. I got it from the library so that I could peruse it slowly. This would be the type of book for your coffee table so you can pick it up and learn something new over time. It is a lovely, visual encyclopedia of journals!
July 4, 2022
It would have been better, if these perhaps were not in English- for me at least. (though it may have been a form of A/B testing, by the publisher.) This selection, is not as careful, as Remarkable Books. Also, the writing and historical information, is not as good either.
October 30, 2023
Makes the mistake of assuming that just because you're famous, your diary should be a literary masterpiece and/or very important. Well, famous people can write badly too, and produce work filled with pomposity and boring platitudes. Most of the diaries in here can be safely skipped.
December 16, 2023
I listened to this book and feel it would have been better if I had the actual book in my hands. Too many names and references that were hard to follow while listening, where, if I had the actual book, I could have done more research as needed.
February 22, 2026
The Sylvia Plath bit was a bit inaccurate, should have mentioned the breakdown of the marriage was because Ted Hughes cheated on her, rather than saying she was jealous
However, I loved learning about so many remarkable diarists in this book!
However, I loved learning about so many remarkable diarists in this book!
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