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.