William Dalrymples awardwinning first book his classic fiercely intelligent and wonderfully entertaining account of his journey across Marco Polos 700yearold route from Jerusalem to Xanadu the summer palace of Kubla Khan. At the age of twentytwo Dalrymple left his college in Cambridge to travel to the ruins of Kubla Khans stately pleasure dome in Xanadu. As he and his companions travel across the width of Asiacrossing through Acre Aleppo Tabriz Tashkurgan and other mysterious and sometimes hellish placesthey encounter dusty forgotten roads unexpected hospitality and difficult challenges. Stylish witty and knowledgeable about everything from the dreaded order of Assassins to the hidden origins of the Three Magi this is travel writing at its best. show more