The City of Light

D'Ancona, Jacob and Selbourne, David

ISBN 10: 0316639680 / ISBN 13: 9780316639682

Published by Little, Brown, 1997

About this Item

A large, heavy book of 392pp. Complete dustjacket. Endpaper maps and b + w illustrations. A very clean copy. David Selbourne has edited and translated the manuscript description of his travels written by the Jewish Italian merchant Jacob D' Ancona to the Chinese city of Zaitun, the City of Light, in 1271, and his description of life in the city in Sung Dynasty China.

Seller Inventory # 8012

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The City of Light
• Publisher: Little, Brown
• Publication Date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0316639680
• ISBN 13: 9780316639682
• Binding: Hard Cover
• Illustrator: Well-illustrated
• Edition: First Edition.
• Condition: Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Fine
• Seller catalogs:
  • History
  • Travel

About this title

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.

About the Author

David Selbourne is a philosopher and author of THE PRINCIPLE OF DUTY, a powerful call for civic regeneration, whose ideas have been adopted by politicians such as Tony Blair and Bill Clinton.