LibrerÃa Samer Atenea
Kálamo Books
LibrerÃa ElÃas (Asturias)
LibrerÃa Kolima (Madrid)
LibrerÃa Proteo (Málaga)
is a 13th-century travelogue written between 1298-1299. This legendary account chronicles Polo’s epic journey through Asia from 1271 to 1295 and his remarkable experiences at the court of Kublai Khan. Dictated by the Venetian explorer to romance writer Rustichello while imprisoned in Genoa,thebookblendsadventurewithobservation,revealingdistantlands Europeans had never imagined. From its first appearance, readers have de bated its authenticity-wondering whether these tales of marvels are truth or fantasy-Now am I come to that part of our Book in which I shall tell you of the great andwonderfulmagnificenceoftheGreatKaannowreigning,byname CUBLAYKAAN;Kaanbeingatitle which signifyeth 'The Great Lord of Lords,' or Emperor. And of a surety he hath good right to such a title, for all men know for a certain truth that he is the most potent man, as regards forces and lands and treasure, that existeth in the world, or ever hath existed from the time of our First Father Adam until this day. All this I will make clear to you for truth, in this book of ours, so that every one shall be fain to acknowledge that he is the greatest Lord that is now in the world, or ever hath been. And nowyeshall hear howandwherefore.{1} NOTE 1.-According to SanangSetzen, Chinghiz himself discerned young Kúblái’s superiority. On his deathbed he said: 'ThewordsoftheladKúblái are well worth attention; see, all of you, that ye heed what he says! One day he will sit in my seat and bring you good fortune such as you have had in my day!' (p. 105)
