Marco Polo | Litsy

Marco Polo: From Venice to Xanadu | Laurence Bergreen

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This is a great book for those interested in the structure and veracity of Marco Polo‘s “Travels” and/or the Mongol Empire under Kublia Khan.

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Graywacke

Marco Polo: From Venice to Xanadu | Laurence Bergreen

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A fun exploration of how the story Marco Polo told might have related to real story he experienced - tied into Coleridge‘s Xanadu. Lots of fantastic (but real) here. Wowed by his father and uncle, by the details of Ghengis Khan found only here, by Beijing, Hangzhou, by all the crazy details that were accurate, and by Venice and the world between. 👇

Graywacke I could go on endlessly: 1. His father and uncle had already met Genghis Khan before later taking Marco. So they were much bolder explorers (actually merchants). 2. The crossing took years, including fascinating places like the Lop desert. 3. The aspects of Genghis Khan‘s personality captured here exist nowhere else! Chinese records don‘t record all the quirky stuff (if we believe Marco). (edited) 6y

Graywacke 4. China was more interesting than Europe! This was the 1200‘s. 5. It does go dry, with too much detail on Mongols, Beijing and Hangzhou 6. But then we‘re in Indonesia, in the 1200‘s. I mean, wow. 7. And there‘s still so much more to tell. (edited) 6y

Crazeedi Wow such an interesting book! I read a book on him previously, I'll have to check this out!! 6y

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Gezemice This sounds fascinating! What is the image? I love it. 6y

Graywacke @Crazeedi see comment #5, but, yeah, really enjoyed it. Reader is good too, on audio. 6y

Graywacke @Gezemice hmm. I found the image on a google search for Xanadu and Coleridge. 😊 And, yeah, it was fascinating. 6y

Crazeedi @Graywacke 👍😉 6y

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