by Marco Polo
First published 1300
Marco Polo embarks on an extraordinary journey in 1271 that will span twenty-four years of his life. He travels to the distant court of Kublai Khan, ruler of the Mongol empire that stretches across Asia but remains virtually unknown to Europeans. Polo enters the service of this powerful chieftain and traverses the empire from Beijing to northern India, witnessing civilizations his contemporaries could never imagine. His adventures blend hard reality with fantastic encounters as he navigates unfamiliar territories and exotic customs. The journey culminates in a remarkable return voyage from the Chinese port of Amoy to the Persian Gulf. Polo's account captures both the boundaries of medieval European understanding and the sense of wonder that comes from encountering the completely unknown.
Genres: historical-fiction, travel, adventure, memoir
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: epic, fish-out-of-water
Setting: China, Asia, India, Mongol Empire
Period: 13th Century, Medieval
384 pages · Paperback · Penguin Books