The Travels of Marco Polo

This Signet first printing from 1961, edited and introduced by Milton Rugoff, includes maps and illustrations that enhance the reader's journey through Polo's extraordinary narrative. The edition makes this classic travel account accessible to modern readers while preserving its historical significance.

The book presents Marco Polo's account of his travels along the Silk Road to the court of Kublai Khan in 13th-century China. Polo's narrative combines factual observation with legendary elements, describing exotic customs, magnificent cities, strange creatures, and fabulous wealth. The account provides invaluable insights into medieval trade, cultural exchange, and European perceptions of Asia.

Marco Polo's account profoundly influenced European imagination about Asia and helped inspire the Age of Exploration. The work represents one of the most important travel narratives in world literature, bridging Eastern and Western cultures during a crucial period of global contact. Polo's descriptions shaped European understanding of Asian civilizations for centuries.

Scholars debate whether Marco Polo actually reached China or compiled his account from other sources, though most evidence supports the authenticity of his journey. The book was dictated to fellow prisoner Rustichello while Polo was imprisoned in Genoa. Columbus carried a copy of Polo's travels during his voyages to the Americas. The work influenced countless later explorers and travel writers, establishing conventions for travel literature that persist today.