By François Eugène Vidocq. Reprinted from the 1935 edition translated by Edwin Gile Rich. "From unpromising origins as a two-bit thief, army deserter, grifter, and convict," Vidocq became Parisian chief of police, a renowned detective/PI, inspired Victorian fiction, and got a cold-case society named after him.
Can't vouch for HIS writing abilities, but this paperback -- a rare purple specimen in the genre -- has minimal wear/spread, an uncracked spine and clean bright pages.