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Casanova
Casanova by Masters, John
302 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1999
6 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
John Masters
147 books52 followersMasters was the son of a lieutenant-colonel whose family had a long tradition of service in the Indian Army. He was educated at Wellington and Sandhurst. On graduating from Sandhurst in 1933, he was seconded to the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (DCLI) for a year before applying to serve with the 4th Prince of Wales's Own Gurkha Rifles. He saw service on the North-West Frontier with the 2nd battalion of the regiment, and was rapidly given a variety of appointments within the battalion and the regimental depot, becoming the Adjutant of the 2nd battalion in early 1939.
During World War II his battalion was sent to Basra in Iraq, during the brief Anglo-Iraqi War. Masters subsequently served in Iraq, Syria and Persia. In early 1942, he attended the Indian Army Staff College at Quetta. Here he met the wife of a fellow officer and began an affair. They were later to marry. This caused a small scandal at the time.
After Staff College he first served as Brigade Major in 114th Indian Infantry Brigade before being "poached" by "Joe" Lentaigne, another officer from 4th Gurkhas, to be Brigade Major in 111th Indian Infantry Brigade, a Chindit formation. From March, 1944, the brigade served behind the Japanese lines in Burma. On the death of General Orde Wingate on 24 April, Lentaigne became the Chindits' overall commander and Masters commanded the main body of 111 Brigade.
In May, the brigade was ordered to hold a position code-named ‘Blackpool’ near Mogaung in northern Burma. The isolated position was attacked with great intensity for seventeen days and eventually the brigade was forced to withdraw. Masters had to order the medical orderlies to shoot 19 of his own men, casualties who had no hope of recovery or rescue. Masters later wrote about these events in the second volume of his autobiography, The Road Past Mandalay.
After briefly commanding the 3rd battalion of his regiment, Masters subsequently became GSO1 (the Chief of Staff) of Indian 19th Infantry Division, which was heavily involved in the later stages of the Burma Campaign, until the end of the war. After a spell as a staff officer in GHQ India in Delhi, he then served as an instructor at the British Army Staff College, Camberley. He left the army after this posting, and moved to the United States, where he attempted to set up a business promoting walking tours in the Himalayas, one of his hobbies. The business was not a success and, to make ends meet, he decided to write of his experiences in the army. When his novels proved popular, he became a full-time writer.
In later life, Masters and his wife Barbara moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA. He died in 1983 from complications following heart surgery. His family and friends scattered his ashes from an aeroplane over the mountain trails he loved to hike. General Sir Michael Rose, the former UN commander in Bosnia, is a stepson of Masters.
During World War II his battalion was sent to Basra in Iraq, during the brief Anglo-Iraqi War. Masters subsequently served in Iraq, Syria and Persia. In early 1942, he attended the Indian Army Staff College at Quetta. Here he met the wife of a fellow officer and began an affair. They were later to marry. This caused a small scandal at the time.
After Staff College he first served as Brigade Major in 114th Indian Infantry Brigade before being "poached" by "Joe" Lentaigne, another officer from 4th Gurkhas, to be Brigade Major in 111th Indian Infantry Brigade, a Chindit formation. From March, 1944, the brigade served behind the Japanese lines in Burma. On the death of General Orde Wingate on 24 April, Lentaigne became the Chindits' overall commander and Masters commanded the main body of 111 Brigade.
In May, the brigade was ordered to hold a position code-named ‘Blackpool’ near Mogaung in northern Burma. The isolated position was attacked with great intensity for seventeen days and eventually the brigade was forced to withdraw. Masters had to order the medical orderlies to shoot 19 of his own men, casualties who had no hope of recovery or rescue. Masters later wrote about these events in the second volume of his autobiography, The Road Past Mandalay.
After briefly commanding the 3rd battalion of his regiment, Masters subsequently became GSO1 (the Chief of Staff) of Indian 19th Infantry Division, which was heavily involved in the later stages of the Burma Campaign, until the end of the war. After a spell as a staff officer in GHQ India in Delhi, he then served as an instructor at the British Army Staff College, Camberley. He left the army after this posting, and moved to the United States, where he attempted to set up a business promoting walking tours in the Himalayas, one of his hobbies. The business was not a success and, to make ends meet, he decided to write of his experiences in the army. When his novels proved popular, he became a full-time writer.
In later life, Masters and his wife Barbara moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA. He died in 1983 from complications following heart surgery. His family and friends scattered his ashes from an aeroplane over the mountain trails he loved to hike. General Sir Michael Rose, the former UN commander in Bosnia, is a stepson of Masters.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 25, 2016
This book is worth it for the illustrations alone. It is lavishly illustrated with forty-eight full-color plates, in addition to monochromes. The author claimed this to be “the most fully illustrated biography of Casanova yet published.” It includes an extensive portrait gallery of people associated with Casanova.
The text is based on the original Brockhaus edition, the true text, which was not available until 1960. Most other biographies of Casanova have been corrupted to some extent by the Laforgue mis-translation. John Masters traveled widely in Europe, following in Casanova’s footsteps.
Must reading for Casanovists, or rather, must viewing of the illustrations. They will take you back to the time and places. Recommended to anyone interested in daily life in eighteenth century Europe.
The text is based on the original Brockhaus edition, the true text, which was not available until 1960. Most other biographies of Casanova have been corrupted to some extent by the Laforgue mis-translation. John Masters traveled widely in Europe, following in Casanova’s footsteps.
Must reading for Casanovists, or rather, must viewing of the illustrations. They will take you back to the time and places. Recommended to anyone interested in daily life in eighteenth century Europe.
October 20, 2012
Bio. The man was a pig. Don't waste your time!
May 22, 2024
DNF @ 13%
Pretty dull. I began listening to Casanova's memoirs a while back and thought they were more interesting, though they do seem to be long. Since this seems to be an overview of his life, I would recommend checking out the original source material instead. Even though Casanova is a bit of an unreliable narrator I think that's what adds to the charm and voice of the memoirs themselves.
I think I would prefer something from the perspective of his contemporaries if those sources even exist. Or more of an inside look into the time he existed and how that provides context to his actions and character. Casanova is FASCINATING as a figure, but I would like more than just a run down of his life that Casanova can provide in better words himself.
Pretty dull. I began listening to Casanova's memoirs a while back and thought they were more interesting, though they do seem to be long. Since this seems to be an overview of his life, I would recommend checking out the original source material instead. Even though Casanova is a bit of an unreliable narrator I think that's what adds to the charm and voice of the memoirs themselves.
I think I would prefer something from the perspective of his contemporaries if those sources even exist. Or more of an inside look into the time he existed and how that provides context to his actions and character. Casanova is FASCINATING as a figure, but I would like more than just a run down of his life that Casanova can provide in better words himself.
October 26, 2019
I heard the audio book version. The longest boring book I ever heard. The author painfully tries to show Casanova as man of multiple skills and talents but also as someone with myriad of fallacies. At the end of the book, the ONLY thing that one can conclude is that Casanova got away with lot of bull just because he was completely devoid of any scruples and used and abused others to the fullest.
November 27, 2014
There have been lots of secondary books about Casanova, and I don't know how this ranks among them, but for me it was a fine companion to the actual memoirs, not being too long--some are insanely complex, in an attempt to identify every one of the thousands of people he interacted with (and mostly had sex with) whose names he disguised--and being full of relevant period illustrations and of witty commentary by the author, which hit just the right note. One disappointment: now I learn that in fact when Casanova was called before a magistrate in London it was not in fact Henry Fielding the novelist, as he identified him in his memoirs, but Fielding's brother, who was blind. Still, in a book so chock full of celebrity cameos that running into Bonnie Prince Charlie in a bath-house merits only a few sentences I suppose I can let go of the Fielding one and still have plenty left to delight over. And there is also the implication that he never actually did meet Voltaire, though it was described so vividly in the memoirs. I dispute that one; I won't let go of that one so easily.
May 29, 2014
For as long ago as this guy lived, they sure seem to know a lot of details about his sex life. The synopsis of the book sounded like we were going to get to hear how his reputation as a lover should be downplayed because he was a good guy doing good things besides sleeping around. But the first chapter was so explicit about how and with whom that I was, ironically (and pun intended), turned off. I didn't read more. Perhaps if I'd read until after he was an adolescent, because seriously he starts at about 11 or rather someone starts for him, maybe it would have been interesting, but I'm thinking it would have only become worse, so I quit reading.
December 31, 2012
Yes Casanova was a brilliant man who made terrible decisions. To me this was a boring book -Spanish/French names made it hard to follow who was who and then he would use letters for his mistresses and you really did not know who he was talking about. What was amazing was how he was such a wanted man but he never did much time for all the scheming he did. Keep in mind that if you are going to read a story about Casanova - be prepared to get very intimate with him.
December 28, 2012
Interesting read. Well worth it.
Casanova was a fascinating individual, and surprisingly honest about himself - though of course not TOTALLY honest!
Then again who among us would be totally honest about themselves?
Casanova was a fascinating individual, and surprisingly honest about himself - though of course not TOTALLY honest!
Then again who among us would be totally honest about themselves?
March 11, 2015
CASANOVA ! wow ! does that even real? I mean , Is there anyone as same as his personality these days? I just in love with him! I'm ready to read it over and over again without feeling bored ! AWESOME !
December 12, 2013
The author sheds lights on this character by pinning down timelines and comparing it to Casanova's book. Interesting reading and it revels a life that would make today's porn stars pale.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews