Book of Ser Marco Polo, the Venetian, concerning the kingdoms and marvels of the East, volume 2, The by Rustichello da Pisa (1272 - 1300) and Marco Polo (1254 - 1324)

Step back into the thirteenth century and follow one of history's most enduring journeys. This Book of Ser Marco Polo, the Venetian, concerning the kingdoms and marvels of the East, volume 2, The continues the immersive narration of Marco Polo's legendary travels, as recorded by his contemporary Rustichello da Pisa. Through this LibriVox recording, you'll hear the second part of the seminal travelogue often known as "The Travels of Marco Polo," a text that introduced medieval Europe to the vast cultures and astonishing wonders of the East. In this volume, the narrative delves deeper into the realms of Asia, Persia, China, and Indonesia, chronicling observations from Polo's decades-long odyssey between 1271 and 1291. The prose, a collaboration between the Venetian merchant and the Pisan writer, paints vivid pictures of distant kingdoms, unique customs, and marvels both real and imagined. Listening to this podcast is an act of time travel, offering a direct auditory line to a foundational work of travel literature. Each episode presents a chapter of this public domain text, read by a volunteer, allowing the listener to absorb the detailed accounts of geography, commerce, and courtly life that captivated readers for centuries. The very fact that these stories were dictated in a Genoese prison adds a layer of historical intrigue to the experience. For anyone fascinated by medieval history, exploration, or simply a tale told from the edges of the known world, this series provides a rich, contemplative escape. The calm, deliberate pace of the reading suits the material, turning each session into a respite filled with ancient wonders.