Memoirs of Casanova Volume I

<p><I>Memoirs of Casanova</I> (1792) is the autobiography of Italian adventure and socialite Giacomo Casanova. Written at the end of his life the <I>Memoirs</I> capture the experiences of one of Europe's most notorious figures a man whose escapades as a gambler womanizer and socialite are matched only by his unique gift for sharing them with the world. More than perhaps any other man Casanova sought to emulate the lessons of the Enlightenment on the level of everyday life a sentiment captured perfectly in the opening sentence of his <I>Memoirs</I>: I will begin with this confession: whatever I have done in the course of my life whether it be good or evil has been done freely; I am a free agent.<I>Memoirs of Casanova Volume I</I> covers the childhood of Giacomo Casanova in Venice. The eldest of six children Casanova is raised by actor and actress Gaetano Casanova and Zanetta Farussi at a time of cultural and economic ascendancy for the Republic of Venice. Following his father's death at the age of eight Casanova whose mother was often busy touring Europe for her work in the theater is sent to a boarding house in Padua. Due to poor living conditions he is eventually taken into the care of an instructor and priest whose household introduced the young boy to music literature and most importantly women. In Padua Casanova discovers the ideals of art and beauty that will drive him for much of his life remaining with him through all of his trials and triumphs. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript this edition of Giacomo Casanova's <I>Memoirs of Casanova</I> is a classic of European literature reimagined for modern readers.</p>