Strange CompanionsCasanova: Actor, Lover, Priest, Spy by Ian Kelly tells the life story of Giacomo Casanova (1725-1798), citizen of Venice. Casanova was famous throughout European power circles of his day; he trained as a priest, soldier, and librarian(!), and was a writer of considerable skill. Casanova's story speaks to excess but is far more interesting than the boudoir tales that litter his reputation in popular culture.
Fast forward three centuries and read Artie Lange's Too Fat to Fish. Lange is famous in current popular culture, mainly as a Howard Stern sidekick. Excess galore in Lange's book, which is enjoying its third week on the NYT's hardcover nonfiction bestseller list.
If we had to choose a 'dude', we would definitely choose Casanova.
