The Travels of Sir John Mandeville: The Fantastic 14th-Century Account of a Journey to the East

One of the most influential books of the medieval period John Mandevilles fourteenth-century work was written ostensibly to encourage and instruct pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land. A thorough compendium of medieval lore the travel book proved to be a great success throughout Europe. (Among his alleged readers were Leonardo da Vinci and Christopher Columbus.) The Travels professes to relate Mandevilles experiences in the Holy Land Egypt India and China--where he served in the Great Khans army--followed by his journey to "the lands beyond " countries populated by "dog-headed men cannibals Amazons and pygmies." Five centuries after Mandeville recorded his observations in those distant lands the volumes remarkably exacting accounts of events and geography were found to be probable fabrications. Nevertheless the books widespread popularity and influence make it essential to the study of medieval English literature. An engaging mix of fact and fantasy enhanced with more than 100 rare woodcut illustrations it has retained its place as one of the greatest and most entertaining works of early English vernacular prose.