Items related to City of Light: The Hidden Journal of the Man Who Entered...
City of Light: The Hidden Journal of the Man Who Entered China Four Years Before Marco Polo - Hardcover
Synopsis
In 1270, Jewish scholar-merchant Jacob d'Ancona embarked on a remarkable voyage from his native Italy to Zaitun, the City of Light, a vast coastal metropolis in Southern China. Translated and edited by David Selbourne from a manuscript hidden from the outside world for centuries, it is a brilliant work of historical significance, a fascinating first-person insight into life in the 13th century. It describes a thriving mercantile economy, whose vigorous manufacture and lavish consumption in the shadow of the impending Mongol invasion represent the swansong of a wealthy, decadent and surprisingly 'modern' society. Jacob d'Ancona's participation as a foreign trader in the grand civic debates shed unique light on, for example, the contemporary relationship of Jews and Christians, and the role for the individual in society - arguments of enduring relevance.
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Review
Puts Marco's prose in the shade ... far too grand a book to do justice to in a short review ( Robyn Davidson, THE TIMES)
A lost masterpiece of early travel writing, a gutsy fascinating account ( Charles Nicholl, INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY)
One of the most important manuscripts ever discovered ... the extraordinary adventure of a merchant-scholar which will lead us into the past once again blazing with light ( SUNDAY TELEGRAPH)
This book is a many-splendoured achievement.. Moreover it is a feat of scholarship. ( OBSERVER)
Book Description
*A formidable recreation of the romance and adventure of the age of exploration. *A work of wide sholarly, philosophical and ethical interest.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherDiane Pub Co
- Publication date2000
- ISBN 10 0756780829
- ISBN 13 9780756780821
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages538
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