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  • Marco Polo

  • From Venice to Xanadu
  • Written by: Laurence Bergreen
  • Narrated by: Paul Boehmer
  • Length: 16 hrs and 29 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (24 ratings)

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Marco Polo

Written by: Laurence Bergreen
Narrated by: Paul Boehmer
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Publisher's Summary

As the most celebrated European to explore Asia, Marco Polo was the original global traveler and the earliest bridge between East and West. A universal icon of adventure and discovery, he has inspired six centuries of popular fascination and spurious mythology. Now, from acclaimed author Laurence Bergreen, comes the first fully authoritative biography of one of the most enchanting figures in world history. In this masterly work, Marco Polo’s incredible odyssey - along the Silk Road and through all the fantastic circumstances of his life - is chronicled in sumptuous and illuminating detail. 

Drawing on original sources in more than half a dozen languages, and his own travels along Polo’s route in China and Mongolia, Bergreen explores the lingering controversies surrounding Polo’s legend, settling age-old questions and testing others for significance. 

Synthesizing history, biography, and travelogue, this is a timely chronicle of a man who extended the boundaries of human knowledge and imagination. Destined to be the definitive account of its subject for decades to come, Marco Polo takes us on a journey to the limits of history - and beyond. 

©2007 Laurence Bergreen (P)2007 Books on Tape

What the critics say

"As enthralling as a rollicking travel journal." (New York Times Book Review)

"Mesmerizing...This is lively history that is richly detailed and destined to be the definitive account of Marco Polo and his adventures for decades to come." (Tucson Citizen

"With his polished, authoritative storytelling, Bergreen makes the world of Marco Polo very pertinent." (Entertainment Weekly

What listeners say about Marco Polo

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Much more than a retelling

The story of this epic journey is paramount; however, the author invests much of the book trying to bring Marco Polo to life as a real historical figure. He also delves into the challenges that historians have in distilling fact from fancy, the issues of translation and bias, and the inconsistencies between surviving accounts.

There was a spot in the middle of the book that was weaker than the rest; but, the second half is very engaging.

The narration was excellent.

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

i hate to dislike it

rambling and over described, yet somehow not actually describing what is a fascinating story. I really do hate to dislike it, but I genuinely couldn't finish it.

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