Diary of Samuel Pepys — Volume 01: Preface and Life

Step into the bustling world of 17th‑century London through the meticulous eyes of a young clerk who rose to become the Admiralty’s trusted secretary. This volume opens with a scholarly preface that explains how Pepys’s original shorthand journal—once hidden behind centuries of selective printing—has finally been rendered in its near‑complete form. The editor outlines the painstaking transcription from Thomas Shelton’s early shorthand system, the layered notes added by previous scholars, and the careful judgments made about sensitive passages.

Beyond the mechanics of restoration, the work offers a vivid portrait of Pepys’s personal and professional life before his famous wartime entries begin. Listeners will discover the social network of politicians, merchants, and fellow diarists that shaped his daily routine, as well as the scholarly detective work that brings forgotten names and events back into focus. The result is a richly contextualized foundation that prepares you for the lively, detailed diary that follows.