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Samuel Edwards
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The Vidocq Dossier: The Story of the World's First Detective Kindle Edition

by Noel B. Gerson (Author), Samuel Edwards (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 15 ratings
From ex-convict to the head of the first known private detective agency, François Eugène Vidocq was the father of modern criminology.

Perfect for fans of Tom Clavin, Hallie Rubenhold and Catherine Arnold.

Long before Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was creating Sherlock or Agatha Christie was inventing the adventures of Poirot, the life and cases of Vidocq were inspiring Victor Hugo, Edgar Allen Poe and Honoré de Balzac to create some of the first detectives in fiction, but as is so often the case, the truth is more fascinating than fiction.

Using disguises, decoys and criminal stool pigeons, experimenting with fingerprints, inventing invisible inks, conducting blood and ballistic testing, devising methods for keeping records on all known criminals and pioneering handwriting analysis, are but a few of the real-life master sleuth’s innovations.

Noel B. Gerson’s fascinating biography uncovers the life of the man who earned the respect of Emperor Napoleon after recovering Empress Josephine's stolen emerald necklace, attempted to reform ex-convicts and who revolutionized criminal investigations as the world’s first private detective.

“introduce[s] the reader to a man who was a genuine pioneer and, in addition, one of the great adventurers of the century.” The New York Times

“Powerful” Kirkus Reviews
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  1. Print length
    222 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    January 2, 2022
  4. File size
    2.8 MB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09MD4NZTM
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sapere Books (January 2, 2022)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 2, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.8 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 222 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1800554613
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 15 ratings

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Samuel Edwards

Samuel Edwards

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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
15 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • The Lewteran
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting
    Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this book. History, biography, and literature converge in this book. If you enjoy any of those things, this book will interest you.
    One person found this helpful
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  • L.A.L.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating - the first Sherlock!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2009
    Verified Purchase
    Upon opening the book, I was gripped by the story of Mr. Vidocq. His mastering of the criminal underworld and his ability to turn that mastery to his advantage makes wonderful reading. The writing is very nice, but it is eclipsed by the story itself. A great read for any interested in detective novels and/or police history.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Alexandra McCorkle
    5.0 out of 5 stars Description, price and delivery were perfect
    Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    The book arrived as described. I am enjoying the book and the price was excellent. Very good condition
    2 people found this helpful
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  • DI Karner
    1.0 out of 5 stars Not a biography.
    Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2015
    The one thing I expect from a biography is that it does not present rumours as facts and that it does a bit of research. Vidocq is a difficult topic since he was busy during his lifetime to create his own mythos but still. The book contained so many factual errors (like putting politicians in positions they never had, ignoring time lines, wrong death date for Vidocqs wife, ...). The author not only didn't mark legends as legends, he invented new ones. It was the first time I thought that a book was not worth the paper it was printed on. My copy is full with notes where the author misrepresented simple facts that could have been fixed by a simple look into an encyclopaedia.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • T.G.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Is it even possible to know the truth about the original man of mystery?
    Reviewed in Germany on October 4, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    To the point, leaving no details out. Sometimes pointedly ironic, examining the known and weeding out the fanciful. All in all a thoroughly informative and enjoyable read.
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