Many books have been written about the actress Sarah Bernhardt. Each of them describes her life, her lovers, her career and her prominent role within fin-de-siècle theatre. Sarah was the “uncrowned queen of drama”: she not only became a myth, but also created them. Her biography is a mix of fact and fiction, with the emphasis on the latter. No author deeply researched her backgrounds. Even today, most biographers adhere to the few facts that are known since half a century. This book will make clear that most of these “facts” are part of the myth Sarah was so eager to create. No wonder. Sarah Bernhardt’s grandfather Moritz Bernardt was one of the most evasive criminals of his time. This book reveals how Moritz Bernardt became a criminal vagabond, and describes his wheelings and dealings and the repercussions these had on his family. The book is a must for any-one interested in the famous actress and for those who are interested in the history of crime in early 19th-century.