What do you think?
Rate this book
Riding Through History
Tracking Marco Polo
Tim Severin took up the challenge offered from antiquity by Marco Polo. Using the great explorer's journals as a route guide, Severin followed him all the way from Venice to Afghanistan - on a motorbike.
This is his witty and enthralling account of a latter day caravan through Armenia and Persia, across deserts and mountains, as Severin and his companions overcome crashes, floods, sandstorms and linguistic muddles with zest and ingenuity.
Ancient and modern jostle for attention in the bustling towns and panoramic landscapes of Turkey and Afghanistan. Seeking out thirteenth century Asia, they pass through he Valley of the Assassins to find the village of the Magi. And even with his foot in plaster, Severin takes a camel ride high into the Deh Bakri Pass in search of the famed apples of paradise.
This is his witty and enthralling account of a latter day caravan through Armenia and Persia, across deserts and mountains, as Severin and his companions overcome crashes, floods, sandstorms and linguistic muddles with zest and ingenuity.
Ancient and modern jostle for attention in the bustling towns and panoramic landscapes of Turkey and Afghanistan. Seeking out thirteenth century Asia, they pass through he Valley of the Assassins to find the village of the Magi. And even with his foot in plaster, Severin takes a camel ride high into the Deh Bakri Pass in search of the famed apples of paradise.
- GenresNonfictionTravelHistory
164 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1964
42 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
About the author
Tim Severin
46 books267 followersTim Severin was a British explorer, historian and writer. Severin is noted for his work in retracing the legendary journeys of historical figures. Severin was awarded both the Gold Medal of the Royal Geographical Society and the Livingstone Medal of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society. He received the Thomas Cook Travel Book Award for his 1982 book The Sindbad Voyage.
He was born Timothy Severin in Assam, India in 1940. Severin attended Tonbridge School and studied geography and history at Keble College, Oxford.
Severin has also written historical fiction along with non fiction. The Viking Series, first published in 2005, concerns a young Viking adventurer who travels the world. In 2007 he published The Adventures of Hector Lynch series set in the late 17th century about a 17-year-old Corsair.
He was born Timothy Severin in Assam, India in 1940. Severin attended Tonbridge School and studied geography and history at Keble College, Oxford.
Severin has also written historical fiction along with non fiction. The Viking Series, first published in 2005, concerns a young Viking adventurer who travels the world. In 2007 he published The Adventures of Hector Lynch series set in the late 17th century about a 17-year-old Corsair.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 23, 2016
Marco Polo and his journey across the Silk Road to the Far East had always fascinated Tim Severin. When he was presented with an opportunity to follow in the explorers footsteps travelling from Venice across the Middle East to Afghanistan, he jumped at the chance. There was only one minor flaw in the plan, Tim and his companions would be travelling by motorbike and sidecar, but none of them had ever ridden a motorbike.
So begins the tale of their journey as they battle across deserts, through mountain passes overcoming floods, sandstorms and crashes. They even passed through the ominous sounding he Valley of the Assassins. Not only was riding the motorbike a struggle, the languages were a bit tricky for all three too. Severin even managed to squeeze in a camel ride seeking the famed apples of paradise in the Deh Bakri Pass.
This book is an enjoyable look at a world very different to ours today. But they were foolhardy. I cannot believe that none of them could ride a motorbike at the beginning. They had a little training, but still didn’t really gain a huge amount of competence throughout the journey. They did draw a lot from their trip, being on motorbikes they came to understand the people and culture of the countries that they visited much more than they would have done in a car or truck. Not a bad read; 2.5 stars
So begins the tale of their journey as they battle across deserts, through mountain passes overcoming floods, sandstorms and crashes. They even passed through the ominous sounding he Valley of the Assassins. Not only was riding the motorbike a struggle, the languages were a bit tricky for all three too. Severin even managed to squeeze in a camel ride seeking the famed apples of paradise in the Deh Bakri Pass.
This book is an enjoyable look at a world very different to ours today. But they were foolhardy. I cannot believe that none of them could ride a motorbike at the beginning. They had a little training, but still didn’t really gain a huge amount of competence throughout the journey. They did draw a lot from their trip, being on motorbikes they came to understand the people and culture of the countries that they visited much more than they would have done in a car or truck. Not a bad read; 2.5 stars
Read
December 6, 2024It's taken me well over half a century to get round to reading this...
I received it as a school prize a VERY long time ago. At the time I looked at the 'blurb' and immediately consigned it to the darkest recesses of my G-plan bookcase as of being of no interest whatever. I have moved house twice since then but somehow the book has stayed in my collection - possibly down to a sense of guilt at not ever having even attempted to read it.
I am currently working my way along my considerably expanded bookshelves, looking for volumes that I have not read (or, at least) have no recollection of having read) and decided that maybe I should actually now do so.
I'm so glad I did! Despite appearances, this is well worth reading, not least because the author attended the same school as my brother, and the 'Stan Johnson' who accompanied the author on this adventure turned out to be the father of Boris (and now famous in his own right).
Whether anyone would support the same project now is at least debatable, let alone sponsor the idea and provide equipment and other backing, but the idea itself and the narrative of the highs and lows of the journey make fascinating reading. At the time the three adventurers were able to travel overland through Afghanistan and Iran but not into China. I doubt that much, if any, of that would now be possible. Even then it could easily have ended very badly and there are numerous incidents which they were lucky to survive
Certainly well worth the read, if only to remember the spirit of adventure and resourcefulness that were once characteristic of the British but which seem to be fast diminishing and may well disappear altogether in another decade or two
I received it as a school prize a VERY long time ago. At the time I looked at the 'blurb' and immediately consigned it to the darkest recesses of my G-plan bookcase as of being of no interest whatever. I have moved house twice since then but somehow the book has stayed in my collection - possibly down to a sense of guilt at not ever having even attempted to read it.
I am currently working my way along my considerably expanded bookshelves, looking for volumes that I have not read (or, at least) have no recollection of having read) and decided that maybe I should actually now do so.
I'm so glad I did! Despite appearances, this is well worth reading, not least because the author attended the same school as my brother, and the 'Stan Johnson' who accompanied the author on this adventure turned out to be the father of Boris (and now famous in his own right).
Whether anyone would support the same project now is at least debatable, let alone sponsor the idea and provide equipment and other backing, but the idea itself and the narrative of the highs and lows of the journey make fascinating reading. At the time the three adventurers were able to travel overland through Afghanistan and Iran but not into China. I doubt that much, if any, of that would now be possible. Even then it could easily have ended very badly and there are numerous incidents which they were lucky to survive
Certainly well worth the read, if only to remember the spirit of adventure and resourcefulness that were once characteristic of the British but which seem to be fast diminishing and may well disappear altogether in another decade or two
October 2, 2015
Brilliant.. another feather in Mr Severin's hat as he retraces yet another legendary journey
July 14, 2019
I first read this book about 30 years ago as a school kid and it fed an enduring interest in Marco Polo and the Mongols not to mention my wanderlust.
This time round I was struck by how young Severin was (a mere 21 years old) when they set out to retrace Polo's travels. I was also intrigued by his co-traveller, none other than Stanley Johnson, a name that meant nothing to me in the 1980s but now is not only a politician that I recognise but father of possibly the next PM. It puts a different spin on tales of illegal driving etc.
I'm not sure how much their expedition added to knowledge of Polo. At times it feels like they are 3 kids with silver spoons in the mouths who some how sweet talked their way into getting sponsorship to go on a jolly jape across Asia under the guise of research.
This time round I was struck by how young Severin was (a mere 21 years old) when they set out to retrace Polo's travels. I was also intrigued by his co-traveller, none other than Stanley Johnson, a name that meant nothing to me in the 1980s but now is not only a politician that I recognise but father of possibly the next PM. It puts a different spin on tales of illegal driving etc.
I'm not sure how much their expedition added to knowledge of Polo. At times it feels like they are 3 kids with silver spoons in the mouths who some how sweet talked their way into getting sponsorship to go on a jolly jape across Asia under the guise of research.
February 21, 2018
Simply delightful story
I really enjoyed this book. I picked up on a lark, thinking it might be a pleasant diversion. However, I really got into it and found it informative and hilarious at the same time. I cared about the characters and hated it when it ended. It was one of those books where you feel a sense of loss when it finally ends. I was in no hurry to finish it.
I really enjoyed this book. I picked up on a lark, thinking it might be a pleasant diversion. However, I really got into it and found it informative and hilarious at the same time. I cared about the characters and hated it when it ended. It was one of those books where you feel a sense of loss when it finally ends. I was in no hurry to finish it.
April 26, 2018
A great read
Never have travelers accomplished so much with so little. They braved a trip filled with little comfort and a hint of danger with no complaining at all. They pressed on where lesser men would have failed. They did so not knowing how proud I was of their efforts. Their ultimate success is the prize but the recorded journey was very entertaining to say the least.
Never have travelers accomplished so much with so little. They braved a trip filled with little comfort and a hint of danger with no complaining at all. They pressed on where lesser men would have failed. They did so not knowing how proud I was of their efforts. Their ultimate success is the prize but the recorded journey was very entertaining to say the least.
March 21, 2018
This would have been a four star read if it had included maps and pictures. Despite that it is worth the time and holds up surprisingly well even though it was written in the 60’s and some of the places mentioned are vastly different today.
January 16, 2026
Read it for a reading challenge (book set in a country on your bucket list). This covers a trip the author made in 1964 when he was in college, trying to retrace Marco Polo's overland route to China. It was interesting and even funny. I don't think the same thing could be done today!
November 13, 2017
A real adventure !
Simply and honestly written a tale to inspire us all to get out there and travel by whatever means we can - tbe simpler the better - and see the world.
Simply and honestly written a tale to inspire us all to get out there and travel by whatever means we can - tbe simpler the better - and see the world.
May 5, 2016
In the footsteps of Marco Polo
This book, written over fifty years ago, recounts the exploits of the Marco Polo Route Project which consisted of two Oxford undergraduates and a film cameraman from London, who set out to re-trace Marco Polo's route to the Orient using two motorcycles fitted with sidecars as their transport. It's a very interesting tale and their adventures are well documented. I was disappointed, however, to find several typos in the text including an unusual one that affected words containing the letters '... rn ..' such as 'modern' and 'thorns.' The word 'modern' was repeatedly shown incorrectly as 'modem' which made no sense at all in the context at these points. Changing the font or its size did not correct this fault, so perhaps it is an artefact of the process of converting the text to a digital format. Once I had learned to understand the error, I was able to continue to enjoy reading this rollicking good story.
I have read all of Tim Severin's other books and enjoyed them. I would recommend his Marco Polo book as well worth reading.
This book, written over fifty years ago, recounts the exploits of the Marco Polo Route Project which consisted of two Oxford undergraduates and a film cameraman from London, who set out to re-trace Marco Polo's route to the Orient using two motorcycles fitted with sidecars as their transport. It's a very interesting tale and their adventures are well documented. I was disappointed, however, to find several typos in the text including an unusual one that affected words containing the letters '... rn ..' such as 'modern' and 'thorns.' The word 'modern' was repeatedly shown incorrectly as 'modem' which made no sense at all in the context at these points. Changing the font or its size did not correct this fault, so perhaps it is an artefact of the process of converting the text to a digital format. Once I had learned to understand the error, I was able to continue to enjoy reading this rollicking good story.
I have read all of Tim Severin's other books and enjoyed them. I would recommend his Marco Polo book as well worth reading.
November 27, 2011
Three Brits scrape together a few pounds to buy a couple of heavy-duty motorcycles and try to retrace the path of Marco Polo's journeys. The book is a mix of Tim's quotes and interpretations of Marco's writings, their own adventures, and how their adventures elucidate the mysteries of Marco's writings. Fascinating stuff. The low-budget nature of the expedition provides an element of comedy and risk-taking.
February 18, 2016
An interesting read, as this book was published in the early 1960's it was interesting to compare what was happening in Iran and Afghanistan then and today.
It was a foolhardy adventure that went right.
It was a foolhardy adventure that went right.
November 30, 2016
A modern day retrace of Marco Polo's journey...with some interesting adventures and discoveries.
April 2, 2017
Three men follow Marco Polo's Travels
I enjoyed this account of following the route Marco Polo took from Venice to the Hindu Kush in Afghanistan! It amazed me all of the things the Marco Project found that had been in Marco Polo's journal!
I enjoyed this account of following the route Marco Polo took from Venice to the Hindu Kush in Afghanistan! It amazed me all of the things the Marco Project found that had been in Marco Polo's journal!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews