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In Xanadu book cover
Best Marco Polo Route

In Xanadu

by William Dalrymple

Audiobook Narrated by Michael Maloney 2 hrs and 59 mins

Listen to a Sample

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In this exhilarating debut, a young William Dalrymple sets off on an audacious journey retracing Marco Polo's route from Jerusalem to the ruins of Kublai Khan's palace in Xanadu. What begins as a classical travel quest quickly becomes a riotous adventure through the heart of the Middle East and Central Asia.

With wit, erudition, and a keen eye for the absurd, Dalrymple encounters an unforgettable cast of characters whilst navigating bureaucratic nightmares, dodging danger, and grappling with the realities of travelling through some of the world's most challenging terrain. His prose sparkles with youthful enthusiasm and sharp observation, establishing the voice that would make him one of Britain's most celebrated travel writers.

A brilliant blend of historical insight and contemporary travel writing, this tale of ambition, perseverance, and the enduring appeal of the open road remains as fresh and entertaining today as when first published.