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komet2020's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.0
JOHN AUBREY: My Own Life represents the author's interpretation, in a loose diary format, of the life of a man who spent all his life (which spanned from 1626 to 1697) gathering, studying and preserving antiquities --- as well as writing of the history, scientific and philosophical developments in 17th century Britain. The book is written so cleverly that the reader feels that Aubrey himself is taking him/her on a colorful peregrination from youth to old age.
Aubrey, a graduate of Trinity College (Oxford), lived through some of the most tumultuous events in English history (from the English Civil War, the Commonwealth and Protectorate that was established by Oliver Cromwell following the execution of Charles I in 1649, the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, the Anglo-Dutch Wars, the religious upheavals of the 1670s and 1680s, and the Bloodless Revolution of 1688 which saw the enthronement of William of Orange and his wife Mary (daughter of James II) as King and Queen following the displacement of James II - a Catholic who would not convert to Protestantism; hence, his exile to France), and knew many of the notable scientific minds, mathematicians, doctors, lawyers, and statesmen of the day. Among Aubrey's friends were Robert Hooke, Sir Christopher Wren, and Thomas Hobbes.
What becomes clear from reading this book is Aubrey's love of antiquities, his unquenchable thirst for knowledge, and his efforts to preserve for posterity as much as possible much of what shaped and defined English life and culture through the centuries.
Aubrey, a graduate of Trinity College (Oxford), lived through some of the most tumultuous events in English history (from the English Civil War, the Commonwealth and Protectorate that was established by Oliver Cromwell following the execution of Charles I in 1649, the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, the Anglo-Dutch Wars, the religious upheavals of the 1670s and 1680s, and the Bloodless Revolution of 1688 which saw the enthronement of William of Orange and his wife Mary (daughter of James II) as King and Queen following the displacement of James II - a Catholic who would not convert to Protestantism; hence, his exile to France), and knew many of the notable scientific minds, mathematicians, doctors, lawyers, and statesmen of the day. Among Aubrey's friends were Robert Hooke, Sir Christopher Wren, and Thomas Hobbes.
What becomes clear from reading this book is Aubrey's love of antiquities, his unquenchable thirst for knowledge, and his efforts to preserve for posterity as much as possible much of what shaped and defined English life and culture through the centuries.
muninnherself's review
5.0
I loved this. The best biography of Aubrey that I've read. The diary format is unusual (as he didn't write a diary) but effective, I think, and rather charming.
Aubrey is a fascinating man, interested in everything, and living though a lot of upheaval (the Civil War, the Glorious Revolution) and a time when astrology was still as well-respected as astronomy. Of course it's his antiquarianism that most appeals to me; he was the first person (who didn't live there) to 'notice' Avebury and consider what it might be. The whole book is delightful and full of brilliant quotable statements from Aubrey himself.
Aubrey is a fascinating man, interested in everything, and living though a lot of upheaval (the Civil War, the Glorious Revolution) and a time when astrology was still as well-respected as astronomy. Of course it's his antiquarianism that most appeals to me; he was the first person (who didn't live there) to 'notice' Avebury and consider what it might be. The whole book is delightful and full of brilliant quotable statements from Aubrey himself.
geriatricgretch's review
4.0
What a delightfully weird little book. It's very boring, but in the best best best way. An excellent supplement to any study of this era of English history and a testament to the power of archives.
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