The diary of Samuel Pepys, recounting the intimate details of his scandalous private life, is recognized as epitomizing seventeenth century life in London. What is much less well known is that his famous diary was not published until over a century after his death. Memoires was the only book Pepys published in his lifetime. With a new introduction by J D Davies, a leading historian of the Restoration Navy, this pocket-sized, facsimile version of the original book provides an inventory of ships and an overview of the Royal Navy at the time. More significantly, it is also Pepys's personal vindication of his achievements while at the centre of naval administration in the ten years leading up to his dismissal in 1688 when William and Mary came to the throne. In the manner of today's leading politicians and disgruntled civil servants, who after leaving high office in Whitehall rush to publish their memoirs, Pepys's version of events is intentionally the one he wanted remembered, rather than.. Read more
Pennant, November 2010