This is the first half of John Evelyn's famous diary, covering his life from 1620 up to the late 1680s. Don't expect a neat, novel-like plot. Instead, it's a sprawling, real-time account of a life lived during England's most turbulent century. We follow Evelyn from his youth and education, through his travels across Europe to avoid the English Civil War, and into his later years as a founding member of the Royal Society. The 'story' is the story of his nation: we witness the execution of King Charles I, the rise and fall of Oliver Cromwell, the return of the monarchy, and the devastation of the Great Plague and Fire of London, all through the eyes of a sharp, thoughtful observer.

Why You Should Read It

You should read this because Evelyn makes history feel astonishingly immediate. His writing has none of the dry hindsight of a history textbook. When he describes the Great Fire, you smell the smoke and feel the city's terror. He writes with equal passion about meeting the King and about planting a new type of oak tree in his garden. That's the magic here. This diary shows that history isn't just about big battles and treaties; it's about the price of bread, the fear of disease, the latest scientific fad, and the struggle to build a beautiful life in the middle of constant upheaval. Evelyn himself is a wonderful guide—principled, sometimes a bit fussy, but endlessly curious about the changing world around him.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for anyone who loves immersive history or fantastic biographies. If you enjoyed the personal feel of Samuel Pepys's diary, you'll find a more philosophical but equally compelling companion here. It's also a great pick for gardeners, architecture fans, or early science nerds, as Evelyn was deeply involved in all those worlds. Be warned: it's a big, dense read, best taken in small chunks. But if you want to time-travel to the 17th century and walk its streets with a knowledgeable local, there's no better guide than John Evelyn.