D'Ancona, J: City of Light

Jacob von Ancona, Ancona, Jacob von

ISBN 10: 0349108951 / ISBN 13: 9780349108957

Editore: Abacus, 1998

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Gut/Very good: Buch bzw. Schutzumschlag mit wenigen Gebrauchsspuren an Einband, Schutzumschlag oder Seiten. / Describes a book or dust jacket that does show some signs of wear on either the binding, dust jacket or pages.

Codice articolo M00349108951-V

Dati bibliografici

• Titolo: D'Ancona, J: City of Light
• Editore: Abacus
• Data di pubblicazione: 1998
• Lingua: Inglese
• ISBN 10: 0349108951
• ISBN 13: 9780349108957
• Rilegatura: Brossura
• Condizione: very good

Descrizione articolo

Riassunto

In 1270, Jewish scholar-merchant Jacob d'Ancona embarked on a remarkable voyage from his native Italy to Zaitun, the City of Light, a vast coastal metropolis in Southern China. Translated and edited by David Selbourne from a manuscript hidden from the outside world for centuries, it is a brilliant work of historical significance, a fascinating first-person insight into life in the 13th century. It describes a thriving mercantile economy, whose vigorous manufacture and lavish consumption in the shadow of the impending Mongol invasion represent the swansong of a wealthy, decadent and surprisingly 'modern' society. Jacob d'Ancona's participation as a foreign trader in the grand civic debates shed unique light on, for example, the contemporary relationship of Jews and Christians, and the role for the individual in society - arguments of enduring relevance. It includes an end-piece by David Selbourne discussing the reaction to the 1997 hardback publication.

Recensione

Puts Marco's prose in the shade ... far too grand a book to do justice to in a short review (Robyn Davidson, THE TIMES)

A lost masterpiece of early travel writing, a gutsy fascinating account (Charles Nicholl, INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY)

One of the most important manuscripts ever discovered ... the extraordinary adventure of a merchant-scholar which will lead us into the past once again blazing with light (SUNDAY TELEGRAPH)

This book is a many-splendoured achievement.. Moreover it is a feat of scholarship. (OBSERVER)