Publisher's Synopsis
Part of a series which looks at explorers whose discoveries helped to change the world, which together chart 1000 years of seafaring, exploration and discovery. Each book describes the background to these amazing journeys, focusing on the economic pressures and technological advances which combined to make them possible. The books also examine the native societies that the explorers encountered, and assess the long-term impact of their discoveries at home and abroad.;This book looks at Marco Polo's journey to medieval China. Marco Polo was still a teenager when, in 1271, he left Venice with his father and uncle on a journey to Asia that was to last more than 20 years. His account of his travels gave people in Europe their first knowledge of the riches of China and India, and helped to inspire Christopher Columbus.
