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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... recognized some of the pensioners of the Duchess . As I had told my companion that I knew no one in Malines , I turned my head so that they could not recognize me . Besides , I did not care to confess that I had such acquaintances , but ...
... recognized me ; a cousin and an uncle also recognized me . So I was August Duval ; it was impossible to doubt it , and even the commissioner was convinced . But that was not enough to get me set at liberty . As a deserter from the ...
... recognizing . On the contrary , he produced authentic certificates by which he could prove that he had not left Vendée ... recognized and he was condemned to hard labour for life . He was confined in the prison at Lorient , where he soon ...