Diary of Evelyn: Two Volumes in One (Everyman's Library) [Hardcover]

Evelyn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2, 1977 | ISBN-10: 0460002201 | ISBN-13: 978-0460002202 | Edition: New edition

The Diaryof John Evelyn (1620-1706) is one of the principal literary sources for life and manners in the English seventeenth century. Evelyn was one of an influential group of men which included Wren, Pepys and Boyle; a founding member of the Royal Society, he was also a friend of Charles II, a Commissioner for sick seamen and prisoners of war during the Dutch Wars, a prime mover behind Chelsea and Greenwich Hospitals, and a prolific author who wrote about architecture, art, arboriculture, fashion, and pollution. In his Diary he recorded the events and experiences of his long and remarkable life; there are also extensive references to his family, including his poignant recollections of the children who predeceased him. This edition has been based on the only comprehensive and accurate transcription, by E.S. de Beer, published by Oxford University Press in 1955, but the text has been reworked into individual years and months while retaining the original spelling and grammar throughout. GUY DE LA BÉDOYERE holds degrees in history and archaeology from the Universities of Durham and London.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Evelyn's social life, his contacts with public figures, his accounts of the Royal Society, his personal reflections, his comments on current events... his playgoing (of Hamlet he writes `but now the old playe began to disgust this refined age') - all these are here in full. For those who go to Evelyn for his literary qualities and his picture of his life and times, this is a well made selection, excellently presented. (Austin Woolrych) HISTORY The diary's record of Evelyn's own life and that of his family, and the entries giving his comments on current events and on the great and good of his day...are what most readers are likely to value in the diary, and this readable volume should therefore serve its purpose well. ENGLISH HISTORICAL REVIEW --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

The introduction is written by Sir Roy Strong, formerly Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum, he is the author of many books about art history and gardens. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 832 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Adult; New edition edition (May 2, 1977)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0460002201
• ISBN-13: 978-0460002202
• Product Dimensions: 20 x 20 x 20 inches
• Shipping Weight: 20 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,765,789 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A terrific source for the 17th Century, February 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Diary of John Evelyn (First Person Singular) (Paperback)

John Evelyn's diary is a wonderful source-book for 17th Century England. It covers far more of the period than Peyps' diary (but is a little drier!)and gives a comprehensive picture of life in those turbulent times. Guy de la Bedoyere has done a fine job of editing this diary.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not as spicy as Pepys, June 26, 2002

By 

Judith C. Kinney (Westerville, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Diary of John Evelyn (First Person Singular) (Paperback)

Evelyn is very different from Pepys, whom he knew. Unlike Pepys, Evelyn was a strait-laced fellow, so we get no juicy stories of his amours. He hardly speaks of his wife and consequently never mentions any arguments they might have had. He tells few personal anecdotes. He also has little to say about the great plague year or the great fire of London. Pepys gives a lot more detail on these subjects.

What he does deal with rather extensively are the meetings of the Royal Society, of which he was a member. It was hard for me to get excited about these. Nevertheless, it is good to have this book available.