The autobiography of a fascinating figure-as well as a rich, detailed portrait of eighteenth-century European society.
The Venetian son of a dancer and an actress, Giacomo Casanova is best known today for his legendary womanizing. But he also lived a remarkable life of adventure. A well-educated man and a gambler, Casanova worked in the church, joined the military, and became a musician, but he ultimately chose to live as a debauched nobleman, seeking pleasure wherever and whenever he could. Casanova's travels brought him into contact with the wealthy and powerful of his day-from the pope to Mozart and Voltaire-and to numerous locations across Europe, often one step ahead of scandal, at one point even making a daring escape from prison. In these memoirs he shares his stories, providing unique insight into a singular figure in history.
