Xanadu

The respected historian and travel writer John Man tells the remarkable story of the worlds most famous traveller -- Marco Polo -- and the moment when East met West for the first time. Marco Polos journey from Venice through Europe and most of Asia to the court of Kublai Khan in China is one of the most audacious in history. His account of his experiences known simply as The Travels uncovered an entirely new world of emperors and concubines great buildings -- stately pleasure domes in Coleridges dreaming -- huge armies and imperial riches. His book shaped the Wests understanding of China for hundreds of years. John Man travelled in Marcos footsteps to Xanadu in search of the truth behind Marcos stories; to separate legend from fact. Drawing on his own journey archaeology and archival study John Man paints a vivid picture of the man behind the myth and the true story of the great court of Kublai Khan. From the Trade Paperback edition.