Marco Polo: From Venice to Xanadu

From a master biographer, the first truly authoritative book on Marco Polo, one of the most fascinating figures in world history.

As the first European to travel extensively throughout Asia, Marco Polo was the earliest bridge between East and West. He brought the riches and wisdom of China back to his native Italy - and in doing so, changed history. But, amazingly, there has never been an authoritative book about him in English for the general reader. Now, in this masterful work, acclaimed biographer and historian Laurence Bergreen brings Polo's incredible odyssey to life. From his origins as a scion of a wealthy merchant family in Venice to the inner sanctum of Kublai Khan's extravagant palace, here is the tale of one of history's most fascinating characters told in sumptuous detail. We first meet Polo as a callow young man, beholden to his father and uncle. We watch him grow in confidence and experience as he gains the trust of the world's most feared and reviled leader. As ...