Casanova: The World of a Seductive Genius

I don't know what level of readers are complaining about this book being boring or having unnecessary details. I was hanging on every word. I wish the book was much longer. But I suppose if you're only interested in racy bits, and there are a lot no doubt, you're going to be disappointed. But if you love to read well-written and researched biographies about amazing people and you're interested in history, then this book delivers.

A nice telling of Casanova's life, a credible read, and often fun, but I also thought this book was rushed to the printer. I don't know if Bergreen had lost patience with his subject or merely his own enthusiasm for the man, whom I believe was the most entertaining philosopher of the 18th-Century European Enlightenment.I recommend the book as an introduction to those who are not acquainted with Casanova, and also to those who are only just acquainted with him. For those like myself, ardent admirers of the man—I have read his Histoire de ma vie in 12, 6, 2 and 1 volumes, and many books about Casanova and various episodes in his life—the book, while a nice and easy read, in the end, ironically lacks passion. Although Bergreen often captured the spirit of Casanova and his time, I often had the feeling he was not entirely approving of him.As we inhabit a time of spineless public men who possess little zest and even less imagination, and where celebrity has the worth of clipped coins, and men are largely terrified of women, Casanova: The World of a Seductive Genius offers a guide for would-be adventurers, and, for that reason alone, the book merits a place in my library.The book includes useful notes and a bibliography. The plates and illustrations are charming.

Great read. Casanova was an amazing and indefatigable operator in a structured society that he manipulated to further himself. The descriptions, especially in Venice, of the mores of his time are fascinating and sometimes hard to believe. The naughty bits are - well - naughty, and the dramatic bits (especially his escape from prison), are exciting. The writing is deft and and accessible. Highly recommended!

Brilliant! Excellent writing, informative, entertaining and educational. I learned so much about Casanova and what an outstanding genius he was. Wonderful storytelling. Buying more of his books right now!

Who would have thought Casanova life could be so boring?

OMG, what an interesting book. The adventures and misadventures of Casanova will keep you spell bound.

It's great, especially for the backdrop, European life at the time.

It seems so far -- I have only read a hundred pages so far and may not continue -- to be little more than a condensation of and with quotations from Casanova's admittedly lengthy memoir -- with little critical thinking or newly uncovered information added. And it begins on page xvi of the preface with a shocking piece of mis-information: that the white masks worn by Venetians is called the buata when in fact the buata was the lacy black cloth worn below the mask and down across the shoulders. Ought we trust Mr. Bergreen to get other things straight if this basic piece of information is wrong?

High quality book bought as a gift for my mom she loves it it’s thicker than I expected and designed to be reneisancey for that time

Good book