Francois Eugene Vidocq is known as the first detective and father of criminology. His writings have been an inspiration for all detective, mystery and crime stories for the past century or more. He led a life of adventure as a criminal, soldier, inmate, smuggler, circus performer and secret police spy. Here he becomes a legend in his riotous autobiography of criminal exploits and secret agent work. Renowned as the first detective story, Vidocq's memoirs influenced the likes of Balzac, Victor Hugo and Edgar Allen Poe.