The Diary of Samuel Pepys

Volume II: 1664 - 1666

By: Samuel Pepys

Narrated by: Leighton Pugh

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 seventeenth-century England, covering his professional and personal activities, including, famously, his love of music, theatre, food, and wine and his peccadilloes. This Naxos AudioBooks production is the world premiere recording of the diary in its entirety. It has been divided into three volumes. Volume II covers some of the most famous passages in the diary. Pepys was there, in London, during the terrible plague of 1665. And he was there during the Great Fire of London the following year, playing an active role in the actual event and the aftermath.

Download the accompanying reference guide.©1983 Robert Latham and the Executors of William Matthews (P)2015 Naxos AudioBooks

Fascinating travel back in time

What did you love best about The Diary of Samuel Pepys?

A fascinating look at life in an interesting moment of history. I loved his enjoyment of his new books, music, plays, and even that tasty venison patsy, all the time wheeling and dealing to improve his standing and serve the King.

Have you listened to any of Leighton Pugh’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

The narrator was remarkable. Who knew you you make reading diaries lively and so filled with emotion at times.

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

It would be impossible to listen to this all in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed the introductions and wished there was a summary at the end of the second volume that briefly told what Pepys did with the rest of his life.

great writer great performance

loved listening to this whenever take bath
the narrator has me convinced he's sam pepys himself

Treasure

Still listening to this.

Naxos are to be applauded for producing audio recordings of this quality.

And a heartfelt 'thanks' to Sam and the folk who worked out his code.

Love this series…

I have been hearing the diaries of Samuel peeps referred to often and was happy that they were available through Audible. I am amazed at the ability of the Reader, Mr. Pugh, to maintain inflection and emotion throughout this long journey.

Lovers of the history of England will enjoy the firsthand accounts, tidbits and insights offered. It also is a good lesson in how, although our technology has advanced, human behavior has not.

...but will esteem pleasure above all things

"...and God forgive me, I do still see that my nature is not to be quite conquered, but will esteem pleasure above all things; though, yet in the middle of it, it hath reluctantly after my business, which is neglected by my fallowing pleasure. However, music and women I cannot but give way to, whatever my business is."
- Samuel Pepys, Diary, 9 March 1966

1664: LIKE A BLAZING COMET, I'VE TRAVERSED INFINITE NIGHTS -

The fifth volume (1664, with 132,000 words) contains such an amazing blend of those very human desires, human follies, and human wisdom that it keeps pulling me back volume after volume, day after day, page after page. There are times when I read about his multiple affairs with women, his fixation on money and status, that I think Pepys, while interesting, is just a son-of-a-bitch who would do well and fit in wherever he landed. However, his genuine curiosity, his integrity (minus the occasional small graft and dalliance with the ladies) reminds me that there is an actual heart beating in that social climber. He loves books, loves his job, loves food, loves theatre, and just happens to also like the occasional strange. Oh, and the year ended with a big comet, so next year might not end as well as this one.

1665: A PLAGUE ON BOTH YOUR HOUSES -

1665 has been one of the most eventful years of Pepys' diary. He sees his fortune triple, due largely to multiple roles he is playing in the government (Treasurer of Tanger, Surveyor of the Victuals) in addition to his day job as Clerk of the Acts to the Navy Board. His skill and work ethic have earned him not just the attention and favor of Lord Sandwich, but also the Duke of Yorke and occasionally the King. This year the plague hits London hard. Those who can move their families out of the city. The Plague peaks during the Summer and begins to pull back as Winter freeze comes on.

Not much slows Pepys down, however, when it comes to the ladies. Sometimes I think the only reason Pepys learned basic French and Spanish was so he could write in code all the opportunities he takes to grope, fondle, kiss, and seduce the local wives and wenches. If there hasn't already been a PhD written on status, sex, and the mid-seventeenth century, Pepys' diary would be fertile ground for one.

Although the various episodes of Pepys behaving badly do spice the diary up, it isn't the reason I keep getting drawn further into this massive work. Pepys is a perfect cipher for the times. He unlocks so much about the enlightenment, the native curiosity of the times, the post Cromwell rationality and bureaucracy that starts to creep into government. Every pages seems to hold amazing tidbits.

1666: A FIRE NEXT TIME -

Having survived and reported on the Great Plague of 1665, Pepys shows his luck and resilience by also surviving the Great Fire of London in 1666. Ironically, the biggest struggle facing England was not the Plague or the Fire, but the sad, vicious, and negligent Court. The dysfunction of government in England makes Pepys and others afraid that within a year they could see the ruin of the Kingdom within a year. Pepys' own fortunes, however, continue to grow, as does his groping of women (ça change, plus c'est la même chose).

Absolutely Fantastic

The Diary speaks for itself. Incredibly important historical document and yet very entertaining at the same time! I'm really quite surprise that nobody has made a Netflix series about this very entertaining man and the tumultuous times he lived in. I really thought I would struggle to read/listen to the whole thing, but it's really been quite enjoyable and informative!

As for the narrator, Mr. Pugh does a fantastic job. Pacing isn't too fast or too slow, just right. And his acting is excellent as well, emphasizing the right words in the right manner, neither underplaying them nor going over the top.

If I had to offer a criticism, I would say that the pronunciation of the Spanish, French, and Latin words were a bit rough, but I don't consider that a just criticism at all because a narrator cannot be expected to be fluent in 4 different languages, and his reading of it was so excellent overall that he thoroughly deserves a 5/5.