Publisher's Synopsis
A truly comprehensive account of expeditions and embassies to Asia from the earliest times to the first decades of the nineteenth century. An overview of Greek and Arab exploration of Asia is followed by coverage of embassies, missions and voyages to Asia generally. Organised chronologically they include travels made by Carpini, Ascelin, Ricold de Monte Crucis, Schildtberger, Albuquerque, Horace de la Penna, Hanway, Andrada, amongst others. Major geographical regions - Northern Asia, Western Asia, Eastern Asia, and India - are then dealt with separately and accounts include not only the better known expeditions but also ones whose details are not to be found elsewhere. Combining factual detail with an engaging text, and with a new Introduction by leading scholar of Asia, Professor Morris Rossabi, the 3-volume set will appeal to libraries, institutions, scholars and travel aficionados alike.
