The personality of Giacomo Casanova was and remains a mystery, troubling the minds of historians and biographers. Who is he? One of the many adventurers of the 18th century? Secret informant for rulers? A fraudster whose talent bordered on genius? Bon vivant and ladies' man? Ideal lover? A magnificent literary hoaxer, whose famous “Memoirs” have nothing to do with reality? Modern historians still cannot come to a consensus about this legendary man. Ian Kelly used in his book a lot of previously unpublished materials - from protocols of the Venetian Inquisition to letters from himself Casanova - and this documentary evidence will allow readers to take a fresh look at the life of the mysterious Italian.