Marco Polo: From Venice to Xanadu by Laurence Bergreen

To elude corona, was virtually travelling into the most exotic of places and time; then it started raining in an extravagant tantrum...What the world encounters is stranger than a fable, indeed. 26th of 2020; this was with me, at least for the last six months next to my pillow - but someother book always overtook her or should I say him? One reason for delaying was - I wanted to give it time, and go deep into it; as it was a mix of my favorites - history, travel, and Biography. Having started re-reading today the 6th of May; do not know how long it would take to complete.

When Genoese jailed Marco after war with Venice, he not only survived there, but thrived. Rustichello collaborated with him to bring out the work on "Description of the World"; as experienced by Marco Polo, which came to known as 'Travels'. Marco knew well the use of adversity, and had been turning them to his advantage during the whole of his extraordinary life.

Divided into three parts - Book One (Europe); Book Two (Asia) and Book Three (India); each have further engrossing, fascinating, mesmerizing, illuminating stories.

VENICE - Seductive, Byzantine and water bound - most important centers of commerce and culture in 13th century Europe. (Byzantium and Constantinople, is the most populous city in Turkey, it was instrumental in the advancement of Christianity during Roman and Byzantine times, before the Ottomans conquered the city in 1453 CE and transformed it into an Islamic stronghold and the seat of the Ottoman Caliphate. Under the name Constantinople it was the Ottoman capital until 1923. The capital was then moved to Ankara and the city was renamed Istanbul) For Venetians, the world was modern and flat way back then, they were globalized. The Polos were not the first merchants to travel from Venice to Asia, but Thanks to Marco Polo's exploits, they became the most celebrated. The combination of the doge's (leader's) secular power and Mark's spiritual authority imparted a sense of political destiny to the Republic - a secular destiny, despite everything. The age of faith was also an age of peril, turmoil, and war. Splendor first has always lead to disarray/turmoil. The triump of Christianity was not a sure thing then; Rome was fighting against Islam, Mongols, Greek Orthodox church and even itself. At the time of his birth Marco Polo's (henceforth called as MP) father and uncle - Niccolo and Maffeo Polo had left towards east. Natural hardships had made the travel difficult, and thought they wanted to return, then kept going further; through the silk road, until they met Kublai Khan, who promised them the Golden passport.

Moghols captured and destroyed Afghanistan, Genghis Khan, established Tenggerrism - the worship of heaven as the official religion of Moghol Empire and appointed himself as it chief representative. Then, globalisation seeked to connect the whole world, including one God  - called Natigai. Genghis Khan's grandson Hulegree killed Caliph in 1258. His grand son Kubli Khan and his cousin Kaidu were never at peace. With Kublai's grand son, Thymur,  Yuan dynasty ended, and lesser Khan's embraced Islam. 

Different life style, places enroute Silk route among others and rituals during wedding, birth and death across places have also been described. Almost a year was delayed due to ill health of MP - which was healed by going up on the mountains of Afghanistan. What medicine was used, is not described, it could be opium. On meeting Kublai Khan, MP's father and uncle dedicated his service to Kublai khan. 
 

There have been conflicting views, as to whether MP, actually reached China, or was this written from his readings. 

Trade and religion has to be kept separate. Common essence of internal relations, is that it transcends political system and religious beliefs, all of which are self-limiting. Only absolute is power of belief itself.