Memoirs of Vidocq: Master of CrimeAK Press, 2003 - 370 pages Criminal exploits, secret agent intrigue, and clever -disguises fill the pages of Francois Eugene Vidocq's memoirs. A legendary figure in history, Vidocq is known as the first detective and an inspiration to great writers such as Honore de Balzac, Victor Hugo and Edgar Allen Poe. As a player in the criminal underworld, Vidocq is a master of disguises and an accomplished thief, eventually turning his unlawful talents toward catching criminals as the first French chief of secret police. Playing both sides of the law, Vidocq's life highlights the blurry line between law enforcement and the criminals they pursue. Vidocq has a knack for finding trouble throughout his topsy-turvy life, getting into one hot situation after another, often finding himself behind bars, only to escape the first chance he gets. This book will take you on a whirlwind tour of 1830s France, including the circus stage, pirate ships, prison cells and beautiful women's boudoirs. Vidocq's life story is unforgettable and includes some of the best crime stories and juicy tales ever written. Last year, Gerard Depardieu starred in the French film adaptation of the memoirs, -titled Vidocq. "He preferred the tumultuous life of danger to the contentment of security. His story is one long swashbuckling adventure as he breaks out of jails, pursues actresses, duels to the death, raids the hells of criminals and stalks the Paris night in a thousand disguises."--Philip John Stead, Vidocq, Picaroon of Crime |
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... give the officers of the garrison lessons in fencing . They were delighted by the proposal . As soon as I was furnished with a mask , gloves , and a foil , a match in which I beat two or three pretended German masters was sufficient to give ...
... give warning by a slight pull ; and each one was ordered to answer the signal by a shot , so a fusillade would extend down the line which could not fail to disturb the officers . The third squad , of which I was a member , remained on ...
... give my word , I don't fail ; one either has honour or he hasn't . Besides , to prove that my intentions aren't bad , you needn't leave me ; I promise not to whisper a word , not even to my wife when she comes back ; so that you can be ...