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Samuel Pepys
Samuel Pepys (1633-1703) witnessed tumultuous times in Britain. He saw citizens revolt for liberty, leading to the king's execution. In 1665, he endured months of fear as the plague claimed friends and neighbors, and in 1666, he witnessed the Great Fire of London. Later, his patron, Catholic James II, was overthrown by Protestant William III and Mary in the 'Glorious Revolution' of 1688.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1972
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About the author
Geoffrey Trease
174 books25 followersRobert Geoffrey Trease (1909-1998) was a prolific writer, publishing 113 books between 1934 (Bows Against the Barons) and 1997 (Cloak for a Spy). His work has been translated into 20 languages. His grandfather was a historian, and was one of the main influences towards Trease's work.
He is best known for writing children's historical novels, whose content reflects his insistence on historically correct backgrounds, which he meticulously researched. However, with his ground-breaking study Tales Out of School (1949), he was also a pioneer of the idea that children's literature should be a serious subject for study and debate. When he began his career, his radical viewpoint was a change from the conventional and often jingoistic tone of most children's literature of the time, and he was one of the first authors who deliberately set out to appeal to both boys and girls and to feature strong leading characters of both sexes.
He is best known for writing children's historical novels, whose content reflects his insistence on historically correct backgrounds, which he meticulously researched. However, with his ground-breaking study Tales Out of School (1949), he was also a pioneer of the idea that children's literature should be a serious subject for study and debate. When he began his career, his radical viewpoint was a change from the conventional and often jingoistic tone of most children's literature of the time, and he was one of the first authors who deliberately set out to appeal to both boys and girls and to feature strong leading characters of both sexes.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 26, 2017
Written in the highly romantic style of the Victorians, it is still a highly engaging life of a remarkable man.
Pepys grew up during the English Civil War, was a Roundhead as a boy and a Royalist as a man. His cousin Montagu was his entree into politics and royal circles. He had a brief naval career, and whilst in Holland, met the next three Kings of England - two of whom he would serve, and one who would end his career.
His diaries are wonderful sources for the Restoration, the Great Fire of London, and the Glorious Revolution.
This period in English History was not my forte, so this provided a slightly rose-coloured view.
Pepys grew up during the English Civil War, was a Roundhead as a boy and a Royalist as a man. His cousin Montagu was his entree into politics and royal circles. He had a brief naval career, and whilst in Holland, met the next three Kings of England - two of whom he would serve, and one who would end his career.
His diaries are wonderful sources for the Restoration, the Great Fire of London, and the Glorious Revolution.
This period in English History was not my forte, so this provided a slightly rose-coloured view.
November 8, 2016
Pepys' Diaries have long been in my "to read" pile. I admit they have always intimidated me, for some obscure, irrational reason. Samuel Pepys was a civil servant, man about town, knowledge lover (in fact, a founding member of the Royal Society), pleasure seeker and able maneuverer of intrigues. He also kept a detailed diary through out his life, which spanned the end of Cromwell's Protectorate, the Reformation, the Great Fire of London and even saw William of Orange land in England. How is that for an accomplished and interesting man?
Geoffrey Trease writes a simple, straightforward introduction to the Diaries. He shows both the great historical events and the small, everyday situations Pepys faced, placing him both as an important public person and a petty man. Most of all, he shows us how human Pepys is and how honest his writing.
I now have a much better view of the world the Diaries fit into and a good context for Pepys and many of the people around him. I feel much more confident to tackle the Diaries themselves.
I received a copy from the publisher in return for a fair and unbiased review.
Geoffrey Trease writes a simple, straightforward introduction to the Diaries. He shows both the great historical events and the small, everyday situations Pepys faced, placing him both as an important public person and a petty man. Most of all, he shows us how human Pepys is and how honest his writing.
I now have a much better view of the world the Diaries fit into and a good context for Pepys and many of the people around him. I feel much more confident to tackle the Diaries themselves.
I received a copy from the publisher in return for a fair and unbiased review.
September 11, 2016
A good introduction to the life of Samuel Pepys - an enjoyable read which was not dry in it's telling.
A NetGalley Book
A NetGalley Book
February 18, 2021
The was far more to Samuel Pepys than ‘someone that kept a diary. Fascinating read.
August 5, 2016
For over a year now, I've been reading the diary of Samuel Pepys through www.pepysdiary.com, a website that emails a new diary entry to subscribers each day. It's been a fascinating look into life in 17th century London. Pepys' diary is widely recognized as both historically significant and as an important piece of literature. Through his eyes, we see everything from the Great Fire of 1666 to the ordinary, petty squabbles between a husband and wife in this era. I received an advance copy of Samuel Pepys and His World, by Geoffrey Trease, from Netgallery, and I highly recommend it. Although this version is abridged, it's a great place to begin exploring the life and times of this witty, moody, lusty, influential and sometimes petty and unfaithful human being.
November 3, 2014
A book nicely summed up by its final sentence (which unfortunately I forgot to write down). :(
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews