This is an auction for XANADU: MARCO POLO AND EUROPE’S DISCOVERY OF THE EAST, by John Man.

“Ever since he related the exploits of his journey to the empire of the great khan in the late thirteenth century, Marco Polo and his stories have been the subjects of speculation, fascination, and scepticism. Then and now, a few scholars even doubt he ever reached China. Readers will find no such doubts in Man’s admiring account of Polo’s travels and their significance. Man himself actually followed much of Polo’s route to the Chinese summer capital, Shangdu (Xanadu in Coleridge’s famous poem), accompanied by a Chinese guide and archaeologist. Of course, many of the sites witnessed by Polo are now in ruins, but Man uses reasonable speculations to attempt to re-create them as Polo would have seen them. Man’s boundless enthusiasm for his subject is infectious, and he effectively conveys the sense of novelty and wonder that Polo experienced. This is a fine retelling of a great and vital adventure in human history.”

• Booklist (US)

Very favourable reviews on Amazon.com.

Large format (trade) paperback 2009.

312 pages.

16 pages of photographs and illustrations.

Very good condition.

The cost of shipping is $4.95 (ordinary post) or $6.40 (tracked mail). If you are on rural delivery and want tracked mail, the shipping cost will be $8.95.

There is of course no charge for shipping if you collect this book from my shop in Palmerston North following the auction.

Payment within seven days, please.