Marco Polo's China: A Venetian in the Realm of Khubilai Khan

ISBN-13: 9780415348508 / Angielski / Twarda / 2005 / 216 str.

Stephen G. Haw

Opis

Marco Polo's famous book about his journey to China, written in 1298, continues to be a subject of considerable controversy. One recent book on the subject argues that Marco Polo never went to China at all, and other scholars have pointed out apparent mistakes and important omissions in Marco's writings, including his failure to mention the Great Wall, and his apparently erroneous description of the course of the Yellow River. This book re-examines Marco Polo's book. It argues convincingly that he did indeed go to China, and that the apparent errors and omissions are all explicable - for example, the Great Wall at this period was not in good repair and not very notable, and the course of the Yellow River, which changes significantly from time to time, was then exactly as described by Marco. The book concludes that Marco Polo's work is an accurate, important and useful source for an extraordinary period of Chinese history.

Recenzje

'Haw has produced an extremely valuable and ground-breaking work, which must surely now have settled the controversy surrounding the historicity of Polo's visit to China.' - Peter Jackson, Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, Volume 70 Number 2, 2007

Spis treści

Introduction: Truth or Lies?  1. China Before the Mongol Conquest  2. The Mongols and their Conquests  3. The Journey and the Writing of the Book  4. No Great Wall?  5. Cities, Canals and Rivers  6. Marco’s Journeys in China  Part 1: The Route into China  7. Marco’s Journeys in China  Part 2: Khanbalikh to Caragian and Mien  8. Marco’s Journeys in China  Part 3: Giogiu to Çaiton  9. Rhubarb, Musk, Cranes and Other Creatures  10. Wine, Women and Poison  11. Military Affairs  12. A Unique Life and Legacy.  Notes.  List of Chinese Words and Characters 

O autorze

Stephen G Haw read Chinese at the University of Oxford and has an MA degree from the University of London. He first visited China in 1980 and lived in the country for two years as a student and teacher at the University of Shandong. He has since travelled extensively around the country. He is the author of numerous articles and several books.