Diary of Samuel Pepys — Volume 01: Preface and Life

"Diary of Samuel Pepys — Volume 01: Preface and Life" by Samuel Pepys is a detailed, first-hand description of life in England during the 1600s. The writings give a comprehensive account of Pepys's life as a well-known naval administrator, full of his experiences and his view of a changing England after the Commonwealth period. The diary goes over a number of topics, from government happenings and social events to new science discoveries and Pepys's own thoughts, giving readers a clear view of that time. The first collection of writing covers Pepys's early years, how he climbed the ladder in the naval administration, and his sharp watch over important historic happenings such as when Charles II became king, the wide-spread Great Plague, and the devastating Great Fire of London. Pepys is honest with his thoughts on his everyday routines as the Clerk of the Acts and later as Secretary to the Admiralty. The diary shares his own goals, home life, and the different cultural parts of 17th-century England, filled with elements that paint a rich picture of his complicated personality and the world in which he existed. It's more than just a history record as it also puts on display Pepys’s unique writing style, mixing his personal life with the big public events around him.