{"product_id":"books-the-city-of-light-by-jacob-d-ancona","title":"The City of Light","description":"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.","brand":"World of Books ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53672502395153,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/9780349108957.jpg?v=1781520002","url":"https:\/\/www.worldofbooks.com\/products\/books-the-city-of-light-by-jacob-d-ancona","provider":"World of Books ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}