Eug�ne Fran�ois Vidocq (1775-1857) was a French criminal who became the founder and first director of the crime-detection S�ret� Nationale as well as the head of the first known private detective agency. He is widely regarded as the father of modern criminology and of the French police department. He is also considered to be the first private detective. Vidocq's successes as an investigator inspired many Victorian authors who borrowed his brilliance to embody their fictional heroes. The character of Sherlock Holmes ...
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Eug�ne Fran�ois Vidocq (1775-1857) was a French criminal who became the founder and first director of the crime-detection S�ret� Nationale as well as the head of the first known private detective agency. He is widely regarded as the father of modern criminology and of the French police department. He is also considered to be the first private detective. Vidocq's successes as an investigator inspired many Victorian authors who borrowed his brilliance to embody their fictional heroes. The character of Sherlock Holmes is very much based on Vidocq; so are both Jean Valjean and Inspector Javert in Les Miserables . Dickens mentions Vidocq in Great Expectations ; Melville cites him in Moby Dick ; and Poe refers to Vidocq's methods in The Murders in the Rue Morgue . As a player in the criminal underworld, Vidocq was a master of disguises and an accomplished thief, eventually turning his unlawful talents toward catching criminals as the first chief of secret police. Playing both sides of the law, Vidocq's life highlights the blurry line between law enforcement and the criminals they pursue. He has a knack for finding trouble throughout his topsy-turvy life, getting into one hot situation after another, often finding himself behind bars, only to escape the first chance he gets. In December 1828, Vidocq published his Memoirs , with the help of some ghostwriters. The work became a bestseller and sold over 50,000 copies in the first year. His book takes the reader on a whirlwind tour of 1830s France, including the circus stage, pirate ships, prison cells and beautiful women's boudoirs. Vidocq's life story is unforgettable and includes some of the best crime stories and juicy tales ever written. Out of print for many years, this new translation from The Parisian Press reconstructs the text of Vidocq's lengthy book and presents his memoirs in modern English.
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Add this copy of The Memoirs of Detective Vidocq: Complete and to cart. $3.69, good condition, Sold by Goodwill of Greater Milwaukee rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Milwaukee, WI, UNITED STATES, published 2018 by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.
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Book is considered to be in good or better condition. The actual cover image may not match the stock photo. Hard cover books may show signs of wear on the spine cover or dust jacket. Paperback book may show signs of wear on spine or cover as well as having a slight bend or curve to it. Book should have no writing inside or highlighting. Pages should be free of tears or creasing. Stickers should not be present on cover or elsewhere and any CD or DVD expected with the book is included. Book is not a former library copy.
