It was his intention to trade a few sword-thrusts in some place or another, and get the business over with.
A sparkling new translation tells the tale of a young libertine who finds his rapier wit matched by actual rapiers.
In this autobiographical tale, a young dandy is forced to flee his hometown after falling afoul of the authorities. But sheltering in the royal court he finds treachery and insult and is even- tually positioned into a meaningless confrontation over a woman he cares nothing about. Told with debonair wit and a merciless attitude toward high society, the tale becomes a tense adventure that leads to a surprising outcome.
This Is A Melville House "HybridBook"
HybridBooks are a union of print and electronic media: Purchasers of this print edition also receive Illuminations--additional curated material that expand the world of Kleist's novella through text and illustrations--at no additional charge.
To obtain the Illuminations for "The Duel "by Giacomo Casanova, simply scan the QR code (or follow a url) found at the back of the print book, which leads to a page where you can download a file for your preferred electronic reading device.
Illuminations for "The Duel" by Giacomo Casanova contain:
Writings by:
Havelock Ellis - W.E. Garrett Fisher - Richard von Kraft Ebbing - Arthur Schnitzler - Arthur Symonds - Mark Twain - And the entire version of Casanova's duel as written in his personal memoirs.
Full-color illustrations by/of:
Francesco Casanova - Anton Raphael Mengs - Jean-Marc Nattier - Johann Berka - 1841 map of Weehawken - "An Air Balloon Engagement" by J. Barrow - and portraits of the ten most deadly duelists.
Also included is The Duelist's Supplement - "Famous Duels, Duelists and Dueling Grounds"
The Art of The Novella Series
Too short to be a novel, too long to be a short story, the novella is generally unrecognized by academics and publishers. Nonetheless, it is a form beloved and practiced by literature's greatest writers. In the Art Of The Novella series, Melville House celebrates this renegade art form and its practitioners with titles that are, in many instances, presented in book form for the first time.

Seducer, gambler, necromancer, swindler, swashbucker, 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.

Memoirs of Casanova (1792) is the autobiography of Italian adventure and socialite Giacomo Casanova. Written at the end of his life, the Memoirs 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 Memoirs: "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."Memoirs of Casanova Volume XI finds Giacomo Casanova on the run from Venetian authorities. Having been handed a five-year prison sentence, Casanova is left with no choice but to risk a daring, dangerous escape. He manages to make his way by foot and by gondola out of the city before embarking on a journey to Paris. Arriving in 1757, he reconnects with powerful friends, affording him much needed protection. There, he witnesses the brutal execution of Robert-Francois Damiens, the attempted assassin of Louis XV, and the last man to be drawn and quartered in France. Desperate for money, he accepts a job from the French Foreign Minister to collect information from the commune of Dunkirk. Having proved himself as a valuable spy, Casanova reinvents himself once more. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Giacomo Casanova's Memoirs of Casanova is a classic of European literature reimagined for modern readers.

Memoirs of Casanova (1792) is the autobiography of Italian adventure and socialite Giacomo Casanova. Written at the end of his life, the Memoirs 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 Memoirs: "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."Memoirs of Casanova Volume III covers the young adulthood of Giacomo Casanova. When his religious career ends in disgrace and imprisonment, Casanova joins the Venetian military at Corfu. Following a brief sojourn in Constantinople, he enters the service of the Republic of Venice and slowly rises through the ranks to become an officer. Casanova soon grows tired of military life, however, and spends most of his time in Corfu gambling and socializing with the local elite. When he is arrested for disobedience, he begins looking for a way out of military life, and devotes much of his time to the service of Madame F., a beautiful noblewoman who enlists his services around the home. When an injury leaves her bedridden, his duties bring him closer to her than ever before, and soon threaten to turn a professional relationship into a forbidden romantic tryst. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Giacomo Casanova's Memoirs of Casanova is a classic of European literature reimagined for modern readers.

Memoirs of Casanova (1792) is the autobiography of Italian adventure and socialite Giacomo Casanova. Written at the end of his life, the Memoirs 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 Memoirs: "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."Memoirs of Casanova Volume V finds Giacomo Casanova serving as an aide to a powerful Venetian senator. Back in the city of his birth, surrounded with the vices and old friends who forced him to leave in the first place, Casanova soon finds himself in dire straits. When a practical joke goes horribly wrong, he escapes to the city of Parma, hoping to reinvent himself yet again. There, however, he unexpectedly falls in love with a Frenchwoman named Henriette, a soul whose wit and beauty tempt the young libertine-perhaps for the first and last time-to settle down and sow his wild oats. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Giacomo Casanova's Memoirs of Casanova is a classic of European literature reimagined for modern readers.

Memoirs of Casanova (1792) is the autobiography of Italian adventure and socialite Giacomo Casanova. Written at the end of his life, the Memoirs 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 Memoirs: "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."Memoirs of Casanova Volume IX finds Giacomo Casanova back in Venice, his birth city. After years of disgrace and failure, he has finally begun to succeed as a professional gambler, frequenting the city's casinos and building his already-infamous reputation. Juggling several affairs at once, including one with a beautiful nun, Casanova begins to grow comfortable. Soon, a terrible betrayal leaves him reeling, allowing a man by the name of Manucci to get close to the young libertine. Under the guise of a business opportunity, Manucci collects information on Casanova for the state, which has long hoped to send him to prison. Trusting and carefree as ever, Casanova walks right into Manucci's trap. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Giacomo Casanova's Memoirs of Casanova is a classic of European literature reimagined for modern readers.

Memoirs of Casanova (1792) is the autobiography of Italian adventure and socialite Giacomo Casanova. Written at the end of his life, the Memoirs 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 Memoirs: "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."Memoirs of Casanova Volume VI finds Giacomo Casanova living in the city of Parma, where he has fallen in love with a beautiful Frenchwoman named Henriette. Despite their deep attraction, despite Casanova's efforts to lead a respectable, law-abiding life, Henriette discovers, after three months of passion, that he is no more than a broke, low-born, violent man, and leaves him for good. Brokenhearted, filled with self-doubt, Casanova returns to Venice once more, where a successful streak in gambling gives him the funds to make his way to Paris. With renewed hope, he sets out on the legendary Grand Tour, arriving in the French capitol in 1750. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Giacomo Casanova's Memoirs of Casanova is a classic of European literature reimagined for modern readers.

Memoirs of Casanova (1792) is the autobiography of Italian adventure and socialite Giacomo Casanova. Written at the end of his life, the Memoirs 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 Memoirs: "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." Memoirs of Casanova Volume IV covers the young adulthood of Giacomo Casanova. As his time in Corfu draws to a close, the young Casanova revels in the final days of a heated love affair with Madame F., a beautiful noblewoman. Ending his military career, he returns to Venice and pursues the life of a professional gambler, but soon finds that his compulsiveness proves a poor match for the patience and cunning required of the craft. Desperately broke, he attempts to make a living as a violinist while continuing his fast, hedonistic lifestyle. When a chance encounter ends with him saving the life of a Venetian senator, Casanova begins several years of service under his patronage. Life as a nobleman is difficult for a young libertine, however, and as his patron's patience wears thin, Casanova looks to reinvent himself once more. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Giacomo Casanova's Memoirs of Casanova is a classic of European literature reimagined for modern readers.

Memoirs of Casanova (1792) is the autobiography of Italian adventure and socialite Giacomo Casanova. Written at the end of his life, the Memoirs 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 Memoirs: "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."Memoirs of Casanova Volume II covers the young adulthood of Giacomo Casanova. Having excelled in his study of law at the University of Padua, Casanova embarks on an ill-fated career as a cleric. Drawn further toward the life of a dandy than that of a man of God, he moves within some of Venice's highest social circles while womanizing and developing an addiction to gambling. After being forced to leave the seminary due to a debt-related imprisonment, Casanova manages to gain employment with a powerful Bishop in Rome. But his taste for freedom and fast-living proves much too strong, and soon ends his religious career for good. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Giacomo Casanova's Memoirs of Casanova is a classic of European literature reimagined for modern readers.

Memoirs of Casanova (1792) is the autobiography of Italian adventure and socialite Giacomo Casanova. Written at the end of his life, the Memoirs 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 Memoirs: "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."Memoirs of Casanova Volume 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 Memoirs of Casanova is a classic of European literature reimagined for modern readers.

Memoirs of Casanova (1792) is the autobiography of Italian adventure and socialite Giacomo Casanova. Written at the end of his life, the Memoirs 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 Memoirs: "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."Memoirs of Casanova Volume XII finds Giacomo Casanova back in Paris. Using his abundant wit and ability to make connections, Casanova has found success as a spy and diplomat for the French government. At the start of the Seven Years' War, he is sent on a mission to Holland to procure financial backing for the treasury through the sale of discounted bonds. There, he acquires the largest fortune of his life, making enough to open a silk manufactory. Turning down a title and pension, he manages to squander his earnings through mismanagement, ill-advised investments, and sexual impropriety. Soon, despite his recent success streak, the mercurial Casanova once again finds himself in trouble with the law. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Giacomo Casanova's Memoirs of Casanova is a classic of European literature reimagined for modern readers.

Memoirs of Casanova (1792) is the autobiography of Italian adventure and socialite Giacomo Casanova. Written at the end of his life, the Memoirs 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 Memoirs: "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."Memoirs of Casanova Volume VII follows Giacomo Casanova from Paris-where he spent two years learning the French language and enraging local authorities-to Vienna, a city unsuited to his libertine lifestyle. After a year, he grows tired of Austrian stuffiness and returns to Venice, his birth city. There, he gains and loses fortunes overnight, living the torturous lows and intoxicating highs of life as a professional gambler. Somehow, in a city where supposedly everyone knows his name, Casanova accumulates even more enemies, drawing the attention of state spies and risking not just disgrace, but a lengthy imprisonment. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Giacomo Casanova's Memoirs of Casanova is a classic of European literature reimagined for modern readers.

Memoirs of Casanova (1792) is the autobiography of Italian adventure and socialite Giacomo Casanova. Written at the end of his life, the Memoirs 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 Memoirs: "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." Memoirs of Casanova Volume X finds Giacomo Casanova in grave danger, perhaps the most serious of his life. Having fallen into the trap of Manucci, a spy for the state, Casanova is arrested and sentenced without trial to five years imprisonment. Held in the infamous Leads, the prison under the Doge's Palace, he suffers in solitary confinement through unbearable heat, overwhelming darkness, and an infestation of fleas. After months in this cell, he is moved from solitary confinement, given better clothes and accommodations, and allowed to go outside for brief, supervised walks. Seeing an opportunity, Casanova begins planning his escape, collecting tools and conspiring with a fellow prisoner in order to achieve his freedom. When the day arrives, and after several aborted attempts, he seizes his only chance. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Giacomo Casanova's Memoirs of Casanova is a classic of European literature reimagined for modern readers.

Memoirs of Casanova (1792) is the autobiography of Italian adventure and socialite Giacomo Casanova. Written at the end of his life, the Memoirs 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 Memoirs: "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."Memoirs of Casanova Volume VIII finds Giacomo Casanova back in Venice, his birth city. After years of disgrace and failure, he has finally begun to succeed as a professional gambler, frequenting the city's casinos and building his already-infamous reputation. Amid so much excitement, he falls for a beautiful nun, a chaste woman who shows signs of desire despite her commitment to God. As their affections turn into a heated affair, Casanova struggles to divide his public and private lives, drawing attention to himself from local authorities looking for any reason to throw him in prison for good. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Giacomo Casanova's Memoirs of Casanova is a classic of European literature reimagined for modern readers.