The infamous Count Alexander von Tilly (1764-1816) recounts the exciting and entertaining story of his life: his childhood in one of the most prominent Norman noble families, his experiences as a page at the court of Marie Antoinette, and his later career as a dragoon officer. He also shares his travels abroad, including trips to Germany and America. His narrative includes numerous references to famous historical figures, such as Louis XVI, Rétif de la Bretonne, and Nicholas Chamfort, which add a unique charm to the reading. His depictions of court life and especially the romantic life of a gallant man of the ancien régime are, taken as a whole, one of the most brilliant cultural portraits of the pre-revolutionary era: an image that wonderfully illustrates the ingenious frivolity of society at that time.