A Pepys Anthology - Tapa dura

In this short anthology, selected from Samuel Pepys's famous diary, passages are collected together by subject, providing a fresh look at some of the themes that run through the massive complete work. Robert and Linnet Latham's lively and skilful presentation allows the reader to become absorbed in a single topic without interruption, often providing new insight into Pepys's private and public life.

We see Pepys the man of fashion, the booklover, the musician and theatre-goer, Pepys the husband and Pepys the public servant, at work and a leisure. From festivals such as Christmas and Twelfth Night enjoyed with family and friends, to the great events such as the Fire and the Plague described so vividly in the Diary, Pepys's and times are revealed in all their richness and variety.

And for the first time, we can read as continuous narrative, some of the stories interwoven with daily events: the long entangled saga of his affair with Deb Willet and the tale of the Dancing Master.

For anyone unfamiliar with Pepys, this anthology will serve as a delightful introduction, while lovers of the Diary will take pleasure in rediscovering favourite passages.

Robert Latham was Pepys Librarian at Magdalene College, Cambridge until his retirement in 1983. He is the Editor, with the late William Matthews, of the definitive II-volume edition of 'The Diary of Samuel Pepys' and the much acclaimed 'Shorter Pepys' (also published by Unwin Hyman). Linnet Latham, his wife, worked with her husband during the compilation of the 'Index 'and 'Companion' to the complete 'Diary' and on 'The Shorter Pepys'.