These memoirs are among the most entertaining personal confessions from the world of Prussian nobility. Friedrich Freiherr von der Trenck (1727-1794) must bid farewell to his promising career in the royal army at a young age. Allegedly due to his affair with Princess Amalie, he is exiled by Frederick the Great. Trenck manages to escape, leading to a thrilling journey across Europe, where he encounters many interesting personalities and engages in numerous love affairs. Ultimately, he falls back into the clutches of the Prussian king and spends ten years in a dungeon. After his pardon, he immediately sets about writing his biography. It contains the story of an extraordinary daredevil who lives out his passion for life and adventure until the very end. Trenck ultimately dies on the guillotine.