Memoirs of Vidocq: Master of Crime

by Eugène François Vidocq

Book Overview

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...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1902593715
• ISBN13: 9781902593715
• Release Date: May 2003
• Publisher: AK Press
• Length: 369 Pages
• Weight: 1.22 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Okay, so it's not exactly masterful writing

I read this book as more of an anthropological study. The story is great - a self-admitted swindler and ne'er do well turns around and not only becomes a detective, but sets the standard for how detectives work and operate. One of the problems with the book is also one of the most amusing - Vidocq isn't the most reliable narrator so you can never depend on him to tell the actual truth. Even when you feel like he's narrating the events accurately, you get the feeling he's not being exactly truthful with his motivations. The book is dated, unquestionably. However, it's still a fun read, the more so because it is - at least basically - true. I'd recommend it for anyone 16 and older, any younger and the archaic writing style may put the reader to sleep. About the NABAT version of the book: It's hard to find a good printing of this book, so thanks for publishing it. It's nothing fancy, but the font is legible and the binder holds.

pretty good

I read this book a while ago. SO my memory is a little hazy. I remember that the book had a nice classic pulp tone. Like a pulp ghost writer hooked it up rather than Vidocq himself -maybe its the translation. It was a little disappointing because Vidocq's bio is more more impressive than the literary quality of the book itself. And the tone/verbage/emphasis of the narration does not match some one with Vidocq's character. THe first part of the book deals with Vidocq's criminal adventures. And the second half is where he turns to good. Its kind of repetitious. Vidocq escapes from jail at least 5000 times. and he disquises himself and shadows some one like 200-300 times. Over all, I recommend this book. Nice gaslamp adventure. If you like pulpy crime narratives from the 19th century - who doesnt.

The first internationally recognized detective

True story of a thief and career criminal he became head of Paris's secret police. Insiration for Arthur Conan Doyle and Edgar Alan Poe's detective stories. A master of disguise, acrobat, and keen investigator who also used lies, extortion, and bribes to always get his man.