Date inside but otherwise clean
*Samuel Pepys: The Man in the Making* by Arthur Bryant is the first volume of Bryant’s acclaimed trilogy on the life of Samuel Pepys. This biography traces the early life and career of Pepys, offering a detailed account of how he evolved from a young man with humble beginnings into one of the most influential figures in 17th-century England.
The book covers Pepys’ formative years, including his education at Cambridge, his early career struggles, and his rise through the social and political ranks. It delves into his personal ambitions, his intellectual curiosity, and the relationships that shaped his life, including his marriage to Elizabeth St Michel. Bryant also explores Pepys' involvement in the court of King Charles II after the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, which marked a turning point in his career.
Bryant paints a picture of Pepys as a self-made man, navigating the complexities of the Restoration era, a period marked by political and religious instability. The biography draws heavily from Pepys' own diary, which offers vivid descriptions of daily life, his professional challenges, personal reflections, and even his moral dilemmas.
In *The Man in the Making*, Pepys is shown developing not only his skills as a naval administrator but also his character, revealing a man both ambitious and introspective. Bryant’s narrative captures Pepys’ growth as a public servant, laying the groundwork for his later achievements, particularly his role in transforming the Royal Navy.
The book offers insight into the social and political climate of 17th-century England and provides readers with a deeper understanding of Pepys' early development as a diarist, civil servant, and man of influence
