People are compelled to keep diaries for a great many different reasons. Although they are the most private form of writing, there have been few diarists who have not in their heart of hearts hoped that their daily confidences would not be read by others. Philip Larkin's order to burn his diary after his death was a most unusual one. This book provides a collection of the author's favourite sections from published diaries. Ronald Blythe is the author of "The Age of Reason", "Divine Landscapes" and "Akenfield".