Why people recommend it
Samuel Pepys by Claire Tomalin is a widely praised biographical work that chronicles the life of the famous seventeenth-century diarist who documented the Great Plague, the Great Fire of London, and the restoration of the monarchy. On the podcast EconTalk, in the episode James Marriott on Reading published on July 21, 2025, guest James Marriott recommended this biography during a discussion about exceptional life writing. Marriott expressed a strong preference for this specific work among the author's literary output, asserting that Tomalin's biographical account of Samuel Pepys is an utterly charming book. His endorsement on EconTalk focused on the engaging nature of the narrative and the skill with which the author brings her historical subject to life for modern readers. By sharing this recommendation, Marriott directed the audience toward a masterclass in biographical storytelling, emphasizing the unique pleasure of exploring seventeenth-century London through the eyes of both Pepys himself and his expert biographer.
Who recommended it
- James Marriott Recommended
James Marriott — 1 mention
“The book to read by her in my opinion is her biograph her biography of Samuel Peeps which is just an utterly charming book.”