Diary of Samuel Pepys 1660 Book

Sam's diaries make for great reading. Perhaps I'm biased, infected with immensely good feelings for this author from Kenneth Branagh's wonderful audiobooks, selections from these same diaries. In this first volume, Sam sets things off counting his many blessings, not the least of which was surviving his "cutting of the stone."

Sam rubs elbows with King Charles II and his court, counts and recounts his wealth, settles into home life with his wife and dog, an animal which vexes him greatly from time to time, and generally sets about ascending in life. Though he was 27 in this first volume, he was witness to much that interests this student of history and the human condition. His sponsor, Edward Montagu, 1st Earl of Sandwich, was responsible, in large part, for his access to the inner workings of government.

Sam was aboard ship when a fleet sailed to The Netherlands to return the king to England. He witnessed a few executions, mainly relating to the Cromwell era. He drank ale and wine morning, noon and night. He cavorted with women, both married and not. He purchased gold buttons for his coat, which made me quite jealous for the plastic jacket buttons I've ever known. In short, there is a surprising amount of honesty and authenticity to this diary, which makes for fun reading. I wish I could meet up with old Sam for a chat every now and then.