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Marco Polo: A Life from Beginning to End
Marco Polo, a Venetian merchant, was a great explorer of far and unfamiliar lands. He traveled the world in order to find things that no one else had seen—but what did he really discover? The stories that he told upon his return to his homeland of the Republic of Venice were so unusual that his fellow compatriots often had a hard time believing him. When he described things such as paper money, gun powder, and coal, these were still so far out of the daily routine of the west that they seemed utterly bizarre to his contemporaries.
But even now that Marco Polo’s discoveries are less exotic and more commonplace, do we truly understand what it was that he uncovered? This book will delve deep into the life and legend of Marco Polo.
But even now that Marco Polo’s discoveries are less exotic and more commonplace, do we truly understand what it was that he uncovered? This book will delve deep into the life and legend of Marco Polo.
37 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 20, 2020
211 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
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Hourly History
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 20, 2020
Graceful Wanderlust
Very fascinating life. Three might have been the base for Bilbo Baggins the character and protagonist in the Hobbit .
Very fascinating life. Three might have been the base for Bilbo Baggins the character and protagonist in the Hobbit .
December 11, 2022
a journey like a dream
Despite being a journey that was fraught with hazards it was also a journey like a walking, waking dream. The boy in me would have loved to traverse exotic unknown lands a thousand years ago, despite the dangers. No passports, no airport lineups, no customs, no vehicles breaking down or running out of fuel, just traveling hundreds of miles overland (or by sail) and every day a new challenge and a new adventure.
CS Lewis advised reading one older book for every two newer ones. Fortunately that is advice I’ve generally followed. This is an excellent overview and summation of Marco Polo’s travel memoir, of which I have a copy, and now I’m inspired to read the original account.
I’m especially intrigued by Kublai Khan’s empire and his tolerance of all kinds. His mother was Nestorian and encouraged him to practice such tolerance within his borders, especially religious tolerance. I’ve looked into Nestorian Christianity briefly now and so far I’ve been fascinated by what I’ve discovered. Here the Mongols were more tolerant than Islam or Christianity and I wonder why that is and how it came about. Intolerance is certainly not an attractive or acceptable element of any faith movement. You see in Marco’s account that the Far East outshone Europe and the Middle East in many respects.
It is troubling that upon their return to Venice 20 years after they left, the Polos came to be ridiculed and were much maligned for allegedly spreading lies and exaggerations. Some of the verbal assaults were vulgar and violent. So these people who have done nothing quite so adventurous or heroic with their lives decide to mock and insult and smear those who have. Eras change but human nature does not.
Five stars. Highly recommended.
Despite being a journey that was fraught with hazards it was also a journey like a walking, waking dream. The boy in me would have loved to traverse exotic unknown lands a thousand years ago, despite the dangers. No passports, no airport lineups, no customs, no vehicles breaking down or running out of fuel, just traveling hundreds of miles overland (or by sail) and every day a new challenge and a new adventure.
CS Lewis advised reading one older book for every two newer ones. Fortunately that is advice I’ve generally followed. This is an excellent overview and summation of Marco Polo’s travel memoir, of which I have a copy, and now I’m inspired to read the original account.
I’m especially intrigued by Kublai Khan’s empire and his tolerance of all kinds. His mother was Nestorian and encouraged him to practice such tolerance within his borders, especially religious tolerance. I’ve looked into Nestorian Christianity briefly now and so far I’ve been fascinated by what I’ve discovered. Here the Mongols were more tolerant than Islam or Christianity and I wonder why that is and how it came about. Intolerance is certainly not an attractive or acceptable element of any faith movement. You see in Marco’s account that the Far East outshone Europe and the Middle East in many respects.
It is troubling that upon their return to Venice 20 years after they left, the Polos came to be ridiculed and were much maligned for allegedly spreading lies and exaggerations. Some of the verbal assaults were vulgar and violent. So these people who have done nothing quite so adventurous or heroic with their lives decide to mock and insult and smear those who have. Eras change but human nature does not.
Five stars. Highly recommended.
May 7, 2022
Again a fifty-pager.
An introduction to Marco Polo: his life and travels.
I accept it is my failure ... I am coming to realise I have rested with half-truths of many things for many years; and this is but one.
I'm taken with these 'Hourly Histories', which are opening my eyes to much. My awareness, I should say lack of it, of Marco Polo comes from my school days. I even remember telling my daughter about Marco polo when she first entered secondary education. I always believed him to be a seasoned trader who spent his days bringing precious items such as silk and gemstones back to Europe from his ventures to East Asia. Some might say, "Wait-up. That's the truth of it."
It's not the truth of it - It's a half-truth of it.
Marco left Venice at the age of 17, hanging onto the shirt tails of his father and uncle, both of whom were seasoned travellers to the East. Marco returned twenty-four years later and never strayed from home ever again. Much of those twenty-four years he spent as a paid emissary for the great Kublai Khan.
Again, I will say: 'Although concise this does give a real understanding of the man and his adventures.
For anyone tempted, I would recommend this. Plus, books that are part of this 'Hourly-History' series are available via Kindle Unlimited. I read it in one evening whilst sipping wine. I shall return it, download another and pour my second glass.
Yippee-Dippee-Doo-Dah.
An introduction to Marco Polo: his life and travels.
I accept it is my failure ... I am coming to realise I have rested with half-truths of many things for many years; and this is but one.
I'm taken with these 'Hourly Histories', which are opening my eyes to much. My awareness, I should say lack of it, of Marco Polo comes from my school days. I even remember telling my daughter about Marco polo when she first entered secondary education. I always believed him to be a seasoned trader who spent his days bringing precious items such as silk and gemstones back to Europe from his ventures to East Asia. Some might say, "Wait-up. That's the truth of it."
It's not the truth of it - It's a half-truth of it.
Marco left Venice at the age of 17, hanging onto the shirt tails of his father and uncle, both of whom were seasoned travellers to the East. Marco returned twenty-four years later and never strayed from home ever again. Much of those twenty-four years he spent as a paid emissary for the great Kublai Khan.
Again, I will say: 'Although concise this does give a real understanding of the man and his adventures.
For anyone tempted, I would recommend this. Plus, books that are part of this 'Hourly-History' series are available via Kindle Unlimited. I read it in one evening whilst sipping wine. I shall return it, download another and pour my second glass.
Yippee-Dippee-Doo-Dah.
October 19, 2021
Quality bite size book
Getting to know a little about Marco Polo was a fun and entertaining time. After reading this book I want to give Marco polos accounts a read. Another good hour spent reading an hourly history book
Getting to know a little about Marco Polo was a fun and entertaining time. After reading this book I want to give Marco polos accounts a read. Another good hour spent reading an hourly history book
October 23, 2020
Extremely difficult to compress the life of Marco Polo in so few pages but this has been done pretty well by Hourly History. The book dwells more on his journey to Mongolia than about his stay there that was a pretty long one too.
November 2, 2022
"“I did not write half of what I saw, for I knew I would not be believed.”
"—Marco Polo"
There's wisdom.
He knew how far Europe fell short.
As usual in this series, author and publishers are using this platform too for establishing a religious hegemony.
A better book on life of Kublai Khan is, for example, is one by John Anthony Garnet Man.
***
"The Polo brothers had been the distinguished guests of the then-reigning, all-powerful Mongol emperor, Kublai Khan, and it was largely upon the Khan’s good graces that their journey was a stunning success. Through their discourse, Niccolò and Maffeo had also managed sparked an interest in Kublai Khan for the happenings of Europe and, in particular, the Christian faith. Kublai Khan, though not professing to be a Christian, had a great interest in the belief system. His own mother was in fact part of an Eastern-based sect of Christianity called the Nestorians. His mother, though not forcing her child to become a Christian like her, had always encouraged Kublai Khan to show religious tolerance, a trait that would stick with him for the rest of his life."
Author and publishers hereby show a bias that exposes them.
Fact is there were several religions then equally prevalent throughout Central Asia, where Kublai Khan's grandfather Chengiz Khan had established his rule and several of the descendents were governing various regions, which included brothers of Kublai Khan.
And, unlike barbarians who imposed one faith on region's they conquered, at point of sword, mother of Kublai Khan was wiser, and sought to establish harmony in regions under her family, by having various members adapt to different religions, including Buddhism, various branches of church, and Islam. Thus her sons and their wives had each a different faith, although none was imposed on a daughter-in-law - they usually had one before marriage, and were allowed to continue therein.
Hence the interest Kublai Khan showed, sign of a wider awareness, rather than that of an ignoramus native of a wilder country interested in a better faith as author and publishers insinuate.
***
"It was in deference to the Mongol war lord’s interest in religion that the Polos came back on a mission to procure Christian monks and holy anointed oil to bring back to him. They came with a letter directed to the pope in order to achieve these objectives. Since their absence, however, the sitting pope had died, and the Vatican was in a state of major transition.
"After two years of waiting for a successor to whom they could present their letter, the Polos became impatient and decided to travel back down the Silk Road from whence they came. It was at that time that young Marco’s own wanderlust would get the better of him, and at the tender age of 17, he would leave with his father and uncle for parts unknown."
Evidence there that church was always more about power and authority than spiritual life.
***
"After their adventure in Turkey came to a close, the Polos’ next stop was Mosul in modern-day northern Iraq. This land was full of legend, religion, and of course trade and commerce. At the time of their arrival, it was under direct Mongol occupation. Although the region had been under Muslim rule for centuries, the rise of the Mongol Empire had quickly usurped and replaced Muslim power, taking over the already ancient town by 1182.
"Here, Marco quickly noted that one benefit of Mongol rule was that they did not particularly care what religion their subjects practiced. Under the auspices of the Mongols, people could believe anything they wished; as long as they paid allegiance to the Khan, their personal ideology didn’t matter. This freedom of religion was new for Marco. He reveled in it, feeling free to speak of his faith while simultaneously being immersed in others, without any fear of oppression or persecution."
" ... According to Nestorius, Mary could only be the mother of Christ’s humanity, but was not really the “mother of God.” Many theologians may have agreed with this view, but due to the threat of persecution at the hands of the Roman Catholic Church, most remained silent on this doctrinal issue, leaving the Nestorians to be a remote sect on the outskirts of Christian belief."
One must thank author and publishers for this tidbit, usually kept out of general knowledge and education, despite its likely germ of Truth.
Then again, it may only attest to misogyny on part of those adhering to this - and, one must say, most protestant theologies, including that professed by Jehovah's Witness sect, do so; the last nentioned express shock at the very thought of worshipping a female, as related by some of them personally.
***
"At the time of Marco Polo’s encounter with the Nestorians, Baghdad, the modern-day capital of Iraq, was the seat of this Christian denomination considered to be so heretical by Rome. Marco claimed he stopped by this bustling city, enjoying all the splendor that the markets and bazaars offered. From Baghdad, Marco and his companions went to the town of Tabriz.
"Tabriz would later be mentioned in the famous book One Thousand and One Nights, also known as The Arabian Nights, and Marco was not in the least bit disappointed when he stepped foot into this land of imagination. Calling Tabriz the “most splendid city in the province,” he described it to be replete with goods from far-away India as well as luxury items from Baghdad, Mosul, and Hormuz. He also spoke at length about the fact that it had so many “attractive orchards, full of excellent fruit.” For a European who had most likely never seen exotic fruits before, such a bonanza would have indeed been quite stunning."
Wonder what exactly those were, having seen bananas in exotic fruit section of Stuttgart zoo and been informed that while in India they do indeed grow behind kitchens in profusion on merely the water let out, they were indeed exotic in Germany.
***
"Marco, Niccolò, and Maffeo then left Tabriz to traverse further into Persia (modern-day Iran), where they stopped in the city of Kerman. This city was apparently famous for its Persian rugs. In Kerman, Marco also noted a seemingly great propensity to fashion equipment and weapons of war. Marco described them as being experts when it came to the manufacture of “bridles, saddles, spurs, swords, bows, quivers, and every sort of armor.” He also noted that the citizens of Kerman were quite adept in the art of falconry. He witnessed them sending birds aloft on command and expertly bringing them back once again.
"After leaving Kerman, the Polos traveled through the Persian countryside. Marco reported that “when the traveler leaves the city of Kerman, he rides for seven days across a plateau, finding no lack of towns and villages and homesteads. It is a pleasant and satisfying country to ride through, for it is well stocked with game and teems with partridges.” The next town that they stopped in was that of Rudbar, located in the Alborz Mountains in northwest Persia. This town was a kind of trade post and meeting ground for merchants of all nations.
"Exotic goods aside, the thing that captured Marco’s attention more than anything else in this mountainous region was the livestock that was kept in large flocks by the locals. Marco would later describe the scene by writing, “Let me tell you first about the oxen. They are great in size and pure white like snow. Their hair is short and smooth because of the heat. Their horns are thick and stumpy and not pointed. Between their shoulders they have a round hump fully two palms in height. They are the loveliest thing in the world to look at.”"
Indeed, as India knows - that description is of cattle of India.
***
"Beyond his fascination with supposed exploits of past mythic figures, Marco found himself the most impressed with the natural bounty of rubies that Badakhshan seemed to have. According to Marco Polo, these gems were a major part of the region’s economy. As such, the ruby mines were directly controlled by the king, who apparently was a rather shrewd economist, noting that if he allowed the average citizen in his realm to dig up as many rubies as their heart desired, the market would soon be overloaded with the precious metals, making them no longer a rare and valuable commodity.
"Besides his amazement at the rubies, Marco was also impressed by the horses used in the region. He was greatly impressed by their ability to traverse treacherous mountain passes without even the need of horseshoes on their feet. Seemingly obsessed with Alexander the Great, Marco again attributed the horses to the long-passed conqueror, saying that these great steeds were descended from Alexander’s horse, the legendary steed Bucephalus."
Silly, apart from ignorant, racist and prejudiced.
Of course, a local breed would only survive the region if capable thereof, and conversely, had to be local to survive the region.
****
"“One of these nuts is a meal for a man, both meat and drink.”
"—Marco Polo"
That had to be coconut.
And yet, coconut grows in warm, tropical coastal regions, not the deserts of Central Asia.
So this quote is from a much later part of his travels, when he was somewhere in India, or at least in South East Asia.
***
April 16, 2022
I received this book from Amazon and it is part of the Hourly history collection (https://hourlyhistory.com)
These books are mostly about historical events or historical persons.
This one is about Marco Polo, one of the greatest explorers of all times, and has all the important information about him in a very concise way (you can read it within an hour).
This is my assessment of this book Marco Polo, by Hourly history according to my 8 criteria:
1. Related to practice - 3 stars
2. It prevails important - 4 stars
3. I agree with the read - 4 stars
4. not difficult to read (as for non-English native) - 4 stars
5. Too long (more than 500 pages) - short and concise (150-200 pages) - 5 stars
6. Boring - every sentence is interesting - 4 stars
7. Learning opportunity - 4 stars
8. Dry and uninspired style of writing - Smooth style with humouristic and fun parts - 4 stars
Total 4 stars
Some excerpts from the book:
As they progressed through this terrain, they soon came upon what was at the time one of the greatest urban areas of the region: the city of Balkh. This city in the past had also been known as Bactria and had the renown of being the home of the prophet Zoroaster.
Niccolò introduced Marco to the Khan by proclaiming, “Sir—he is my son and your man, whom as the dearest thing I had in this world I have brought with great peril and ado from such distant lands to present him to thee for thy servant.”
it is said that Marco would learn four different languages while he was at the court of the Khan.
The Polos, though treated as highly honored guests, were more or less hostages in a gilded cage, unable to come and go as they pleased.
Book of the Marvels of the World or The Travels of Marco Polo.
Christopher Columbus, the great explorer of the Americas, was inspired by Marco Polo. Columbus set sail in order to find an alternative sea route to the old trade routes to Asia that had been blocked off. He was seeking to explore the same places that Marco Polo had walked but ended up in a whole new world.
Besides inspiring explorers, Polo was one of the first to recognize the value of certain Asian products. Europe’s banking system, for example, exploded when it began to use paper currency, an innovation that was mentioned by Marco Polo. Gunpowder was yet another item mentioned by Polo, and it was gunpowder of course which led to the invention and use of guns of every sort. Coal, too, was an instrumental item that was introduced in Marco Polo’s tales, and it was coal that proved to be incredibly good at heating up the cold homes of frigid Europe during the winter months.
These books are mostly about historical events or historical persons.
This one is about Marco Polo, one of the greatest explorers of all times, and has all the important information about him in a very concise way (you can read it within an hour).
This is my assessment of this book Marco Polo, by Hourly history according to my 8 criteria:
1. Related to practice - 3 stars
2. It prevails important - 4 stars
3. I agree with the read - 4 stars
4. not difficult to read (as for non-English native) - 4 stars
5. Too long (more than 500 pages) - short and concise (150-200 pages) - 5 stars
6. Boring - every sentence is interesting - 4 stars
7. Learning opportunity - 4 stars
8. Dry and uninspired style of writing - Smooth style with humouristic and fun parts - 4 stars
Total 4 stars
Some excerpts from the book:
As they progressed through this terrain, they soon came upon what was at the time one of the greatest urban areas of the region: the city of Balkh. This city in the past had also been known as Bactria and had the renown of being the home of the prophet Zoroaster.
Niccolò introduced Marco to the Khan by proclaiming, “Sir—he is my son and your man, whom as the dearest thing I had in this world I have brought with great peril and ado from such distant lands to present him to thee for thy servant.”
it is said that Marco would learn four different languages while he was at the court of the Khan.
The Polos, though treated as highly honored guests, were more or less hostages in a gilded cage, unable to come and go as they pleased.
Book of the Marvels of the World or The Travels of Marco Polo.
Christopher Columbus, the great explorer of the Americas, was inspired by Marco Polo. Columbus set sail in order to find an alternative sea route to the old trade routes to Asia that had been blocked off. He was seeking to explore the same places that Marco Polo had walked but ended up in a whole new world.
Besides inspiring explorers, Polo was one of the first to recognize the value of certain Asian products. Europe’s banking system, for example, exploded when it began to use paper currency, an innovation that was mentioned by Marco Polo. Gunpowder was yet another item mentioned by Polo, and it was gunpowder of course which led to the invention and use of guns of every sort. Coal, too, was an instrumental item that was introduced in Marco Polo’s tales, and it was coal that proved to be incredibly good at heating up the cold homes of frigid Europe during the winter months.
April 4, 2021
A Young Vinician Becomes well travelled:::
I must say that thos is the instant actual book I’ve read strictly about Marco Polo and his travels. I’ve read books that mention him, but this one gives USA much broader picture of his life. For example: I knew that his mother died when he was quite young. I knew that he traveled the silk road. I knew that he died a wealthy man. What I did not know is simply that he traveled with his father and his uncle starting at around the age of 17 years. I knew he married at some point and I knew he had three daughters. But the fact That he was gone from home (Venice) for over 20+ years amazed me. Good information, good insight, good historical fact.
I must say that thos is the instant actual book I’ve read strictly about Marco Polo and his travels. I’ve read books that mention him, but this one gives USA much broader picture of his life. For example: I knew that his mother died when he was quite young. I knew that he traveled the silk road. I knew that he died a wealthy man. What I did not know is simply that he traveled with his father and his uncle starting at around the age of 17 years. I knew he married at some point and I knew he had three daughters. But the fact That he was gone from home (Venice) for over 20+ years amazed me. Good information, good insight, good historical fact.
August 22, 2020
Excellent Condensed Book
I have read the English version of Marco Polo’s account of his travels in Asia. Although this book is brief, it contains facts and explanations that were new to me. For example, the author explained that what Polo believed to be Noah’s Ark was actually basalt deposits that appeared dark in the snow capped mountains. It is well worth reading.
I have read the English version of Marco Polo’s account of his travels in Asia. Although this book is brief, it contains facts and explanations that were new to me. For example, the author explained that what Polo believed to be Noah’s Ark was actually basalt deposits that appeared dark in the snow capped mountains. It is well worth reading.
July 8, 2022
A nice introduction
I would call this an outline of the life of Marco Polo since it skims over his life and journeys but it serves as a nice introduction and invites further, more in depth reading regarding the minutiae of his experiences. Not a single mention of spaghetti is contained within!
I would call this an outline of the life of Marco Polo since it skims over his life and journeys but it serves as a nice introduction and invites further, more in depth reading regarding the minutiae of his experiences. Not a single mention of spaghetti is contained within!
Read
July 7, 2023First off, I love the Hourly History concept, which fits well into my very busy schedule. With Marco Polo: A Life from Beginning to End, I felt I had learned quite a bit about Polo in the shortest time possible. I just might read a longer bio of Polo when more time becomes available to me, having found a good introduction in the Hourly History book.
January 19, 2022
Marco Polo: A life from beginning to end
Probably the best book that I have read in this series of short histories. I found some of it rather basic and simplistic, but nevertheless very enjoyable.
Probably the best book that I have read in this series of short histories. I found some of it rather basic and simplistic, but nevertheless very enjoyable.
April 22, 2022
Always educational and entertaining
I find all the Hourly History books to be educational and entertaining. What better way to spend your time than reading the true life tales of those who have gone before….
I find all the Hourly History books to be educational and entertaining. What better way to spend your time than reading the true life tales of those who have gone before….
May 29, 2023
Marco traveled with father and uncle
This was interesting because Marco traveled with his father and uncle rather than leading an expedition. Also, he made only one trip to China but stayed many years.
This was interesting because Marco traveled with his father and uncle rather than leading an expedition. Also, he made only one trip to China but stayed many years.
March 2, 2024
Amazing
It's a good narrative on Marco Polo life story having roamed the world at the time the mode of transportation is so nill. It's the passion that drives anyone in this earth, and that's the same Marco proved with his life.
It's a good narrative on Marco Polo life story having roamed the world at the time the mode of transportation is so nill. It's the passion that drives anyone in this earth, and that's the same Marco proved with his life.
April 21, 2024
Good summary
This is a pretty good summary of Marco Polo's life. It talks about his travels and what happened to him after, and even mentions his ridiculous stories of long necked creatures 🦒. Ridiculous and obviously fake.
Maps would have improved this book.
This is a pretty good summary of Marco Polo's life. It talks about his travels and what happened to him after, and even mentions his ridiculous stories of long necked creatures 🦒. Ridiculous and obviously fake.
Maps would have improved this book.
February 28, 2022
Very informative
Very interesting about his travels, the sites he traveled to and the people he encountered along the way. I always thought of Marco polo's adventures as a myth
Very interesting about his travels, the sites he traveled to and the people he encountered along the way. I always thought of Marco polo's adventures as a myth
March 6, 2023
good book to read
Nice concise review of life of Marco Polo…
Although not in great detail it gives fair idea of Marco Polo ‘s travel and his days in kublai khan’s court
Nice concise review of life of Marco Polo…
Although not in great detail it gives fair idea of Marco Polo ‘s travel and his days in kublai khan’s court
October 26, 2023
great introduction to Marco Polo’s journey.
Great introduction to the life and exploration Marco Polo experienced in his many journeys as a young boy and into manhood.
Great introduction to the life and exploration Marco Polo experienced in his many journeys as a young boy and into manhood.
January 21, 2024
Good overview
This was a good read aloud 8th
book for my children. One section was a little too mature in it's content, so I edited.
This was a good read aloud 8th
book for my children. One section was a little too mature in it's content, so I edited.
March 25, 2024
A good short read describing the times of Marco Polo and his contribution to history.
May 1, 2024
Quick fun informative read
I enjoyed the book! The explorations were explained even if the book is summarized. Nice way to know Marco Polo's life and adventures in a quick fun read.
I enjoyed the book! The explorations were explained even if the book is summarized. Nice way to know Marco Polo's life and adventures in a quick fun read.
December 17, 2025
Amazing explorer and merchant.
This man was an amazing traveler and accidental explorer. His gift as an entropener matches many of the most wealthy people in the world today.
This man was an amazing traveler and accidental explorer. His gift as an entropener matches many of the most wealthy people in the world today.
December 18, 2025
Amazing Marco Polo’s life story of a fascinating 24 years of travelling from Venice to remote eastern lands, cultures and people.
Concise and great reading.
Concise and great reading.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews