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Giacomo Casanova

    April 2, 1725 – June 4, 1798

    Giacomo Casanova was a Venetian adventurer and author whose primary work is regarded as an authentic source for understanding the customs and norms of 18th-century European social life. His name has become synonymous with the art of seduction, forever evoking his reputation as the "world's greatest lover." Although he associated with European royalty and notable figures of his era, his life's work might have been forgotten were it not for his period of service to Count Waldstein in Bohemia, where he relieved his boredom by chronicling his life story.

    Giacomo Casanova
    Memoirs of Casanova Volume II
    Erinnerungen 6. Band
    The Duel
    Penguin Little Black Classics - 97: The Nun of Murano
    The Story of My Life
    The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt
    • The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt

      Venetian Years

      • 798 pages
      • 28 hours of reading

      Casanova's life story offers a fascinating glimpse into 18th-century European social customs and norms, blending autobiography with memoir. Renowned for his romantic escapades, he has become a symbol of seduction, making his experiences not only personal but also reflective of the era's societal dynamics. His writings provide an authentic account of a world filled with intrigue, romance, and adventure, capturing the essence of a unique historical period through his captivating narrative.

      The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt
      4.0
    • Seducer, gambler, necromancer, swindler, swashbuckler, poet, self-made gentleman, bon vivant, Giacomo Casanova was not only the most notorious lover of the Western world, but a supreme story teller. He lived a life stranger than most fictions, and the tale of his own adventures is his most compelling story, and one that remained unfinished at the time of his death. This new selection contains all the highlights of Casanova's life: his youth in Venice as a precocious ecclesiastic; his dabbling in the occult; his imprisonment and thrilling escape; and his amorous conquests, ranging from noblewomen to nuns.

      The Story of My Life
      3.9
    • ' "You are not my first passion, my divine friend, but you shall be my last." 'In this episode from his infamous memoirs, swashbuckling serial seducer Casanova falls for a beautiful nun on the Venetian island of Murano - despite already being involved with another one...One of 46 new books in the bestselling Little Black Classics series, to celebrate the first ever Penguin Classic in 1946. Each book gives readers a taste of the Classics' huge range and diversity, with works from around the world and across the centuries - including fables, decadence, heartbreak, tall tales, satire, ghosts, battles and elephants.

      Penguin Little Black Classics - 97: The Nun of Murano
      3.6
    • The Duel

      • 128 pages
      • 5 hours of reading

      One of the few works written in Casanova’s native Italian, The Duel is an important example of the infamous Lothario’s vivid prose style. Translated for the first time into English, this autobiographical novel describes Casanova’s extraordinary battle with a Polish count, while on the run from the Venetian authorities. Having escaped from Venice’s infamous Piombi Prison, Casanova was forced into exile. Far from destitute, however, his reputation gained him entry into European society’s highest echelons. Yet there, he soon found himself obliged to engage in a duel over a ballerina—a lady in whom neither he nor his Polish rival had the slightest interest. Recounting the deadly encounter and the surprising events it precipitated with sardonic wit, Casanova creates a work of thrilling adventure and inimitable literary style. Giacomo Casanova was an adventurer, a spy, a poet, and a novelist. His literary reputation rests on his remarkable History of My Life, which vividly records not only his exploits and adventures but the manners and morals of the day.

      The Duel
      3.6
    • Memoirs of Casanova Volume II

      • 136 pages
      • 5 hours of reading

      Casanova grapples with his desire for spiritual devotion while being drawn to earthly pleasures. Despite his attempts to join the seminary, his indulgent lifestyle proves difficult to abandon. His journey leads him to a position with a powerful Bishop, but his reckless behavior ultimately lands him in legal trouble, highlighting the tension between his aspirations and temptations.

      Memoirs of Casanova Volume II
    • Memoirs of Casanova Volume IV

      • 92 pages
      • 4 hours of reading

      Giacomo Casanova's autobiography reveals his vibrant life as a gambler, womanizer, and socialite during his young adulthood. As he concludes a passionate affair with a noblewoman in Corfu, he faces challenges transitioning to life in Venice, where his compulsive gambling habits lead to financial ruin. Struggling to survive, he takes up the violin while serving a Venetian senator after a fateful encounter. This volume captures his attempts to navigate the complexities of noble life and his relentless pursuit of reinvention amidst the Enlightenment's ideals.

      Memoirs of Casanova Volume IV
    • Memoirs of Casanova Volume X

      • 126 pages
      • 5 hours of reading

      In this volume of Giacomo Casanova's autobiography, the famed adventurer faces his gravest challenge yet: imprisonment without trial in the notorious Leads prison. Isolated in harsh conditions, he endures suffering but remains determined to escape. As he strategizes with a fellow prisoner, the narrative highlights his resilience and resourcefulness. This edition offers a modern take on the classic, capturing the essence of Casanova's life and the Enlightenment ideals he embodied, while showcasing his remarkable storytelling ability.

      Memoirs of Casanova Volume X
    • Memoirs of Casanova Volume I

      • 174 pages
      • 7 hours of reading

      Set in early 18th century Venice, the story follows Giacomo Casanova, a boy destined for a life marked by both fame and infamy. The vibrant city, a hub for gamblers, revelers, and criminals, shapes his experiences of fortune and misfortune. As he navigates this alluring yet perilous world, his journey reflects the complexities of desire and ambition in a society rich with temptation.

      Memoirs of Casanova Volume I
    • Memoirs of Casanova Volume V

      • 72 pages
      • 3 hours of reading

      Forced to flee Venice to escape imprisonment, Casanova leaves behind his friends and his position as a senator's aide. In Parma, he encounters Henriette, a captivating Frenchwoman whose charm and intelligence draw him in and challenge his loyalty. Their passionate connection becomes a pivotal point in his tumultuous life, highlighting themes of love, loyalty, and the complexities of personal relationships amidst the backdrop of his adventurous escapades.

      Memoirs of Casanova Volume V
    • Memoirs of Casanova Volume IX

      • 82 pages
      • 3 hours of reading

      The narrative follows Giacomo Casanova, who navigates a tumultuous life filled with romantic entanglements and a demanding gambling career. His world is shattered by betrayal, leading him to a new business venture with Manucci, a man he grows to trust. However, Casanova's openness becomes his downfall when he discovers that Manucci is actually a state spy, complicating his efforts to regain control of his life. This tension between trust and deception drives the plot forward, exploring themes of vulnerability and betrayal.

      Memoirs of Casanova Volume IX
    • Memoirs of Casanova Volume XII

      • 112 pages
      • 4 hours of reading

      Casanova navigates the dual roles of spy and diplomat in Paris, where he embarks on a mission to sell government bonds in Holland, ultimately amassing a significant fortune. His success leads him to establish a garment factory. However, as he indulges in extravagant spending and questionable affairs, he soon finds himself entangled in legal troubles once again, highlighting the tension between his ambitions and the consequences of his lifestyle.

      Memoirs of Casanova Volume XII
    • Memoirs of Casanova Volume XI

      • 102 pages
      • 4 hours of reading

      Giacomo Casanova's autobiography reveals the life of a notorious adventurer and socialite, emphasizing his experiences as a gambler and womanizer. In Volume XI, he faces a five-year prison sentence in Venice and executes a daring escape to Paris. There, he reconnects with influential allies and witnesses the execution of an assassin. In need of funds, he takes on a role as a spy for the French Foreign Minister, showcasing his ability to adapt and reinvent himself. This edition presents a classic narrative for contemporary readers.

      Memoirs of Casanova Volume XI
    • Memoirs of Casanova Volume III

      • 108 pages
      • 4 hours of reading

      Exploring the young adulthood of Giacomo Casanova, this volume chronicles his transition from a disgraced religious career to military service in Venice. After a brief stint in Constantinople, he becomes an officer but grows weary of military life, preferring to gamble and socialize in Corfu. His arrest for disobedience leads him to serve Madame F., a noblewoman, where their professional bond deepens into a potential romantic affair as she becomes bedridden. This edition presents a classic tale of adventure and desire, reimagined for contemporary readers.

      Memoirs of Casanova Volume III
    • Memoirs of Casanova Volume VI

      • 160 pages
      • 6 hours of reading

      Giacomo Casanova's autobiography offers an intimate glimpse into the life of one of Europe's most infamous figures, detailing his adventures as a gambler and lover. In Volume VI, he navigates love in Parma with the enchanting Henriette, only to face heartbreak when she realizes his troubled past. This rejection leads him back to Venice, where a gambling win reignites his ambitions, propelling him towards Paris and the famed Grand Tour. The memoir captures Casanova's pursuit of freedom and enlightenment amidst the complexities of his relationships and society.

      Memoirs of Casanova Volume VI
    • Memoirs of Casanova Volume VII

      • 88 pages
      • 4 hours of reading

      Memoirs of Casanova (1792) is the autobiography of Italian adventurer Giacomo Casanova, capturing the life of one of Europe's most infamous figures. Written towards the end of his life, it reflects his escapades as a gambler, womanizer, and socialite, showcasing his remarkable storytelling ability. Casanova embodies the Enlightenment's ideals in his pursuit of freedom, declaring, "whatever I have done in the course of my life... has been done freely; I am a free agent." Volume VII chronicles his journey from Paris, where he spent two years mastering the French language and clashing with authorities, to Vienna, a city ill-suited for his libertine ways. After a year, he tires of the Austrian constraints and returns to Venice, his birthplace. There, he experiences the volatile nature of fortune, oscillating between the highs of gambling success and the lows of loss. Despite his notoriety, he attracts enemies, including state spies, putting him at risk of disgrace and imprisonment. This edition features a beautifully designed cover and a professionally typeset manuscript, presenting Casanova's Memoirs as a classic of European literature, reimagined for contemporary readers.

      Memoirs of Casanova Volume VII
    • Memoirs of Casanova Volume VIII

      • 80 pages
      • 3 hours of reading

      Casanova, thriving as a professional gambler, contemplates a permanent life in Venice. His days are split between the vibrant casinos and a passionate affair with a beautiful nun, whose initial chastity transforms into intense desire. As their relationship intensifies, Casanova's growing notoriety begins to attract the scrutiny of local authorities, complicating his newfound lifestyle.

      Memoirs of Casanova Volume VIII
    • Il primo volume di un romanzo autobiografico, Storia della mia vita di Giacomo Casanova, che non è solo un giardino di delizie proibite, ma la franca e aperta confessione di un grande italiano del Settecento. La traduzione di Chiara e Roncoroni, condotta sull'edizione francese Brockhaus-Plon, è ampiamente annotata.

      Storia della mia vita
      4.5
    • Klassiker der erotischen Weltliteratur

      Kamasutram - Leitfaden der Erotik. Liebesgeschichten aus Tausendundeiner Nacht. Das Dekameron. Justine. Die Memoiren der Fanny Hill. Erinnerungen. Tolldreiste Geschichten. Venus im Pelz. Lady Chatterley. Amoretti

      • 10 volumes

      Donatien-Alphonse-François Marquis de Sade (1740-1814) bekam schon als 23jähriger die erste Gefängnisstrafe wegen ungesetzlicher Exzesse. Insgesamt brachte er 27 Jahre seines Lebens in Haft oder in der Irrenanstalt zu. Hier entstanden auch die meisten seiner Romane, in denen die Abgründe der menschlichen Natur in schonungsloser Weise ausgeleuchtet werden. "Justine" bildet dabei so etwas wie einen roten Faden; in immer neuen Versionen weitet de Sade die Geschichte der verfolgten Unschuld zu monströser Breite aus. Unser Text bietet die Erstfassung, entstanden 1787 in der Bastille, unter Verwendung der Übersetzung von Christian Barth. Die Illustrationen - fast ausschließlich Orgiendarstellungen - stammen aus der zehnbändigen sogenannten "Justine III" (1797).

      Klassiker der erotischen Weltliteratur
      5.0
    • Die Lust des Lebens und der Liebe

      Gedanken über die Lebenskunst

      • 122 pages
      • 5 hours of reading

      Giacomo Casanova (1725 bis 1798) verstand sich als Schriftsteller und Philosoph. Unter seinen Werken finden sich eine Homer-übersetzung ins Italienische, ein umfangreicher utopischer Roman, eine Geschichte Polens, mathematische Abhandlungen, Gedichte, Satiren, Essays. In die Weltliteratur eingegangen ist er mit seinen Lebenserinnerungen ( Histoire de ma vie ), die erst 30 Jahre nach seinem Tod gedruckt wurden. Gedanken über die Zeitläufte und das menschliche Verhalten, über die Liebe, die Lust und das Laster, über die Frauen, Gott und die Welt, die sich in seinem ganzen Werk verstreut finden, sind hier zu einem Lesebuch zusammengefaßt und enthalten die praktische Lebensphilosophie eines Mannes, der im Bewußtsein vieler – zu Unrecht – nur noch als der große Verführer und Liebhaber weiterlebt

      Die Lust des Lebens und der Liebe
      4.0
    • Hollands avontuur

      • 119 pages
      • 5 hours of reading

      Verslag van de financiële en seksuele avonturen van Casanova (1725-1798) tijdens zijn twee bezoeken aan Nederland in 1758 en 1760.

      Hollands avontuur
      3.5
    • Casanovas Lebensgeschichte liefert ein Kolossalgemälde des politischen und gesellschaftlichen Lebens des 18. Jahrhunderts. Zugleich ist sie in der Darstellung seiner unzähligen Affären von derart kompromißloser Offenheit, wie dies für die damalige europäische Literatur ohne Beispiel ist.

      Liebe und Abenteuer
      3.5
    • Niesamowite, jak nieokiełznane miał uczucia ten osiemnastowieczny kochanek i awanturnik, karciarz, złodziej, polityk, pisarz i filozof. Pisał o sobie: „Uwodzenie nigdy nie było moją cechą, dlatego że uwodziłem, nie mając świadomości tego, będąc samemu uwiedzionym”. Z lekkością opisał niezwykłe kobiety, które poznał w swoim życiu. Kobiety wykształcone, stanowcze, swobodnie podchodzące do kwestii miłości, choć twardo stąpające po ziemi. Takie kobiety naprawdę kochał! Jego uczucia nie były udawane, wybuchał namiętnością tak potężną, że nie myślał o niczym innym… W XVIII w. Casanova oczarował Europę. Uświadomił bowiem kobietom, że mężczyzna też ma pragnienie bycia pożądanym, odbieranym jako atrakcyjny i chcącym odnieść sukces u płci przeciwnej. W klasowym społeczeństwie, pełnym frustracji, potrafił zmienić reguły zachowania społecznego, ukazać, że miłość i doznania zmysłowe są tak samo ważne jak pieniądze, przyjaźń czy zasady moralne… Czy dzisiaj jest podobnie? Oto między innymi dlaczego warto przeczytać jego pamiętniki.

      Pamiętniki. Największy kochanek wszechczasów
      2.5
    • Soldat der Republik Venedig, Kardinalssekretär in Rom, Lotterieteilnehmer des französischen Königs, Gehilfe einer Okkultistin in Paris, Geheimagent der venezianischen Inquisition der Lebenskünstler Casanova war weit mehr als ein notorischer Frauenheld. Er fühlte sich am Hofe Ludwig XV. oder der Zarin Katharina H. ebenso zu Hause wie im philosophischen Gespräch mit Voltaire, Rousseau und Winckelmann. Diese fundierte Auswahl aus seinem Werk zeigt Casanova als scharfsinnigen Beobachter seiner Zeitgenossen – eine chronique scandaleuse der europäischen Gesellschaft vor der Französischen Revolution.

      Geschichte meines Lebens I. - V.
    • Casanova erwägt, als Mönch im Kloster Einsiedeln zu leben, doch seine Begegnung mit der verheirateten Frau von Roll in Zürich weckt seine Leidenschaft. Trotz ihrer Ehe setzt er seine amourösen Abenteuer in der Nähe ihres Landsitzes fort.

      Die schöne Frau von Roll. Erotischer Roman
    • Mein Leben

      • 653 pages
      • 23 hours of reading

      Die Memoiren eines Mannes, der sich 'zu allem fähig' fühlte, der als professioneller Abenteurer in allen nur denkbaren Missionen durch ganz Europa zog und in allen Kreisen zu Hause war - in einer Auswahl, die den Lebenskünstler präsentiert, den neugierigen Zeitgenossen, den Kosmopoliten, den Vertrauten berühmter Leute und den legendären Frauenfreund.

      Mein Leben
    • Giacomo Casanovas Werk "Eduard und Elisabeth bei den Megamikren" erzählt von den Abenteuern der Protagonisten, die 81 Jahre im Inneren der Erde verbringen. Die Neuausgabe, herausgegeben von Karl-Maria Guth, basiert auf der Übersetzung von Heinrich Conrad und enthält historische Illustrationen.

      Eduard und Elisabeth bei den Megamikren