Surely the most extraordinary and unlkely librarian Europe has ever seen, the self-styled Chevalier de Seingalt, born a social outcast, not only found himself a series of wealthy patrons but a series of mistresses. If he had been only a lecher no-one would now remember him, but in his extraordinary and captivating autobiography he wrote of his exploits, both amatory and social, in a rapid and attractive style to which a reasonably broadminded nun could hardly take exception. He was socially accepted in the highest circles, helped da Ponte write the text of Mozart's operas, founded two State lotteries and regularly threw all his gains away by his passion for gambling and women and an inability to avoid offending the authorities. He travelled Europe widely in the style of an aristocrat, visiting Russia , England and Spain, but on the death of Marco Foscarini, the the Venetian ambassador in Vienna (to whom he had been secretary) was appointed by his friend Count Waldstein librarian of his castle at Dux in Bohemia, effectively a sinecure. In 1789 Casanova began writing his memoirs there "as the only remedy to keep from going mad or dying of grief". At the time of his death in 1798 he had written of his life only up to the year 1774, but in detail. His memory for names, places and events was evidently prodigious; he had considerable insight into his own follies and failings. Willard Trask, the translator, provides comprehensive notes from which it is evident that Casanova falsified nothing deliberately, though he made mistakes, concealed identities and probably made tactful omissions as well.

The small, badly reproduced black and white illustrations add little to the text. This is a pity considering the importance which was attached to clothes, jewels and ornaments in the circles in which he moved. The design of the book is pedestrian and old-fashioned, but the interest of the narrative makes up for everything. ( )