The City of Light by Jacob D'ancona
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.
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
David Selbourne was educated at Manchester Grammar School and Oxford and for two decades taught at Ruskin College, Oxford. He is a philosopher and author of THE PRINCIPLE OF DUTY, and THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780349108957 |
| ISBN 10 | 0349108951 |
| Title | The City of Light |
| Author | Jacob D'ancona |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Little, Brown Book Group |
| Year published | 1998-10-01 |
| Number of pages | 528 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |