Marco Polo - by John Man (Paperback)

About the Book

Originally published by Transworld Publishers in 2009 with the title Xanadu: Marco Polo and Europe's discovery of the East.

From the Back Cover

"I have read everything written on Marco Polo, and John Man's book is, by far, my favorite work on the subject. It's not only an over-due and important historical study, it's an entertaining ride every step of the way." -- John Fusco, Creator of the Netflix original series Marco Polo

The true history behind the Netflix original series Marco Polo, here is the remarkable story of the world's most famous traveler, retracing his legendary journey from Venice to China, the moment East first met West.

In 1271, a young Italian merchant named Marco Polo embarked on a groundbreaking expedition from Venice, through the Middle East and Central Asia to China. His extraordinary reports of his experiences introduced medieval Europe to an exotic new world of emperors and concubines, amazing cities, huge armies, unusual spices and cuisine, and imperial riches. Marco Polo also revealed the wonders of Xanadu, the summer capital of Mongol emperor Kublai Khan.

Almost 750 years later, acclaimed author John Man traveled in Marco Polo's footsteps to Xanadu then on to Beijing and through modern China in search of the history behind the legend. In this enthralling chronicle, Man draws on his own journey, new archaeological findings, and deep archival study to paint a vivid picture of Marco Polo and the great court of Kublai Khan.

Review Quotes

"I have read everything written on Marco Polo, and John Man's book is, by far, my favorite work on the subject. It's not only an over-due and important historical study, it's an entertaining ride every step of the way." -- John Fusco, Creator of the Netflix original series Marco Polo

"Beautifully charted. ... An in-the-footsteps-of-Marco-Polo journey through Europe to China which really makes you feel you are wearing Polo's slippers as you go." -- Scotsman (A Best Book of the Year selection)

"An engaging piece of storytelling and a very companionable journey of exploration." -- The Guardian

"An erudite and lively piece of travel writing, and an excellent read." -- Sunday Telegraph

"Enjoyable. ... Fascinating. ... Man's erudition and hands-on approach to solving historical questions is endearing and keeps the pages turning." -- Asian Review of Books

"One could ask for no better storyteller or analyst than John Man." -- Simon Sebag Montefiore, author of Jerusalem: The Biography

"John Man's ability to put us in the picture, to feel, smell, and almost touch the surroundings he describes, is matched by his ability to tell a good story." -- Michael Palin

"Inspiring for travelers." -- Lonely Planet

"[Man] has sifted through Polo's fanciful tale... Polo's observations are compelling, but his omissions are intriguing, and Man rushes to fill them with accounts of his own travels with a guide across the Asian steppes and desert." -- Kirkus Reviews

"An enjoyable read that is recommended for anyone with a general interest in the subject." -- Library Journal (starred review)

"Great good fun. ... [Man] cultivates the sense of wonder in describing unknown lands and unknown peoples, making it easy to imagine being at the court of Kublai Khan, the most powerful man of the time, and experiencing the wonders of another time and place." -- San Francisco Book Review