The Diary of Samuel Pepys, Suitably Edited (1825)

Bowled over by this. The main body-tumbler was the insight into how society functioned and how people thought three hundred and fifty years ago. There's no replacement for reading the words of those who were there and experiencing at the time; no 'history' can do what this does. Admittedly, Pepys was quietly connected to those in power at the beginning and very well connected indeed by the end of this diary, but the picture is still commanding and fascinating in its familiar unfamiliarity. The reader can feel the fresh air in London created by fields just a short ride away (an astounding notion in this age), can feel the woodenness of the housing of the city (totally unfamiliar now), can feel the busyness of the Thames as Pepys goes up and down by water to appointments from Chatham to Fulham (apart from the unsung riverbuses, unknown now). The picture, also, of the changing attitudes toward Charles II as his reign unfolded, the power machinations behind his relationship with parliament and the lords, the sizing up all the players undertook of their rivals and friends in the various camps vying for positions and influence, is intriguing. Further, the revelations of Pepys' more private life - his playgoing, bookbinding, coach-building, portrait-commissioning, wife-organising, servant-tagging self is revealed here in intricate detail, along with his responses to many a sermon - a good number of which were dismissed as uninspiring! The constancy of his to and fro of business is extraordinary - the mention of  "To White Hall, and spoke with the Duke of York about..." or "To the Park, and spent two hours walking up and down with Sir X X, much good talk about..." signifies the tenor of life for someone in his position (a secretary for the Navy, later Treasurer for parts of it). Lastly, of course, there are the really unfamiliar things which lend it even greater spice, little details of life, or names for things, which have passed into oblivion; ultimate proof that the past is another country.