the unequaled self

In the 17th century, Samuel Pepys tackled life and himself in a diary that is a work quite amazing, in terms of giving us access to his world, in terms of reporting on his public world and his private life.

A few years ago, Claire Tomalin wrote his biography: Samuel Pepys: The Unequalled Self.

Not a long book, certainly not as long as Pepys diary (which you can read in daily blog-like entries; it is linked on my blogroll). But her tone, for the most part, is that of a thoughtful, engaged person interpreting this man who wrote so well about himself and his world.

I read it during our recent trip, and of course, I now associate the book with sun and water.