The Diary of Samuel Pepys: Volume I: 1660 - 1663 cover art

The Diary of Samuel Pepys: Volume I: 1660 - 1663

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The Diary of Samuel Pepys: Volume I: 1660 - 1663

By: Samuel Pepys
Narrated by: Leighton Pugh, David Timson
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About this listen

The Diary of Samuel Pepys is one of the most entertaining documents in English history. Written between 1660 and 1669, as Pepys was establishing himself as a key administrator in the naval office, it is an intimate portrait of life in 17th-century England covering his professional and personal activities, including, famously, his love of music, theatre, food, wine and his peccadilloes. This Naxos AudioBooks production is the world premiere recording of the diary in its entirety; the result of many years of scholarship by Robert Latham (Magdalene College, Cambridge) and William Matthews (University of California). It has been divided into three volumes. Volume I covers the opening years of the Restoration and introduces us to many of the key characters - family, government and royalty. Pepys was there when Charles II returned to England, and he lived through those opening years of the Stuart monarchy, with its revenge on the regicides. He also recorded the reopening of theatres, and how he relaxed from the Puritan way of life.

©1983 Robert Latham (Magdalene College, Cambridge) and William Matthews (University of California) (P)2014 Naxos AudioBooks Classics England Royalty Theatre

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All stars
Most relevant  
Interesting but it would be more so if we could have more details about some of other people mentioned.

Interesting

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Not everyone's cup of tea. The day to day life of a man who lived through one of the most eventful years in history. l loved it warts and all nothing left out

I loved it. true history by one who lived it

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very interesting to listen to a voice of the past. Highly recommend to anyone who loves history.

How life has chaned

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A very well absorbing performance from the reader. Very well ‘acted’. Making the listener believe it was being recited rather than read. An absolutely fascinating insight into 17th century life. Some very surprising and amusing passages, not to mention sordid and candid in places.

I would highly recommend this. I’m going to buy the next volumes as well as start the first again. I can see this being an annual listen. Fantastic

Fascinating

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I'm very glad that this work is available unabridged.
It is read very well and I'd happily listen to many more by this narrator.

A great text well read.

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If i would enjoy this but I did for sure, the language, the way they lived, too much religion i personally believe and thank the gods medicine has improved, one of the most unusal books i've ever read in my life almost, and so to bed.

I didn't know

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The narration is excellent. Pitch perfect, clearly enunciated, very enjoyably told. Samuel Pepys comes to life as you listen. I will definitely be spending future credits on the other two volumes.

Narration is excellent

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david timson captures the cadences and meanings just perfectly, as if Pepys himself speaking

superb reader

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Excellent narration makes one feels it’s Pepys himself talking to us. A wonderful window into the seventeenth century.

Excellent narration brings the Diary alive.

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If you could sum up The Diary of Samuel Pepys: Volume I: 1660 - 1663 in three words, what would they be?

Virtual time machine.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Diary of Samuel Pepys: Volume I: 1660 - 1663?

"...such bawdy articles against him as never was heard of. one, that he should upon his knees drink the King and Queenes health at Lisbon, wishing that the King's pintle were in the Queenes c*nt up to her heart, that it might cry 'Knack, knock' again."

Which character – as performed by Leighton Pugh and David Timson – was your favourite?

Pepys himself.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No - it's a bit too long for that.

Any additional comments?

The reading is magnificent. Leighton Pugh's tone subtly supports the comedic elements to very amusing effect, and brings sense to some very knotty 17th C verbiage.

Brilliantly read

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