Compulsively Aimless

To the Western mind, Marco Polo is the grand daddy of all explorers--the top tier with Christopher Columbus and Neil Armstrong.  From 1275 to 1292, he traveled through China, Mongolia and Japan.  His accounts of Kublai Khan's Court, exotic animals and inhospitable deserts were so spectacular that he was not believed by his hometown Venetians.   Personally, Marco Polo was the gateway explorer for me as an armchair traveler.  He set out for the unknown through Central and Eastern Asia, areas that still intrigue me today.  Starting with his original book of Travels , I've added others.  1.  The Travels of Marco Polo, Edited with Introduction by Michael Komroff with Illustrations by Witold Gordon (1930).   Based on Polo's original account dictated to a fellow prisoner as well as the explorer's notebooks.  Hardback and paperback issued in 1982.  The hardback has contemporary color prints and beautiful wide margins that make it a ...

A section of myself dedicated to another author-adventurer--Tim Severin.  Severin's unusual career takes history out of the classroom and travels with a purpose--retracing great moments of history.  My shelf has about half his books.  There are plenty more.    1.  Tracking Marco Polo (1964).   By motorcycle from Venice to Central Asia retracing Marco Polo's route along the Silk Road.  Bought used but can't remember where.   2.  Explorers of the Mississippi (1968).   Severin starts his journey at Lake Itasca in a Birch bark canoe to tell the story of DeSoto and other European explorers of the Father of Waters. Bought used. 3.  The Oriental Adventure: Explorers of the East (1976).   Severin retraces paths of European explorers in Asia.  Lots of quality pictures and prints.  Bought used.   4.  The Brendan Voyage (1978) .  Severin sails a leather currach from Ireland to Newfoundl...