The first volume in Arthur Bryant's three-volume history of the life and career of Samuel Pepys, originally published in 1933.

Preface; Shortened pedigree of Samuel Pepys; 1. The infant Samuel (1633-50); 2. First manhood (1650-8); 3. A mean clerk (1658-9); 4. The curtain rises (January-March 1660); 5. The fortunate voyage (March-June 1660); 6. Clerk of the Acts (June-August 1660); 7. The happy placeman (September 1660-June 1661); 8. A man of property (June 1661-January 1662); 9. Buckling to (February-October 1662); 10. Pots and pans (November 1662-December 1663); 11. The arming of Mars (January-November 1664); 12. First blood (December 1664-June 1665); 13. Mr Greatheart (June 1665-August 1666); 14. The master chronicler (September 1666); 15. England unarms (September 1666-June 1667); 16. Aftermath (June 1667-March 1668); 17. The heel of Achilles (April-October 1668); 18. Atonement (October 1668-May 1669); Epilogue (June-November 1669); Note on the diary; List of authorities; Bibliographical notes; Index.