The City Of Light

The City of Light claims to be the lost journal of Jacob d'Ancona, a Jewish merchant who traveled to China in 1271, predating Marco Polo's famous journey. The text chronicles the merchant's commercial expedition and social interactions in medieval China, including detailed observations of Chinese society, commerce, and culture. The book was translated and published by David Selbourne, generating significant academic debate about its authenticity. The original Italian manuscript has never been produced for examination, with Selbourne citing the anonymous owner's concerns about provenance and property rights. The work contains extensive descriptions of medieval Chinese urban life and includes accounts of philosophical discussions between the merchant and local intellectuals through an interpreter. These conversations span topics from commerce and governance to cultural differences between East and West. The text raises questions about medieval travel literature, cross-cultural exchange, and the nature of historical authenticity. Though widely considered a forgery by scholars, the book presents an intricate portrayal of thirteenth-century Chinese civilization that continues to spark discussion about the era's international connections.

Most reader reviews focus on doubts about the book's authenticity rather than its content, as many believe it to be a modern fabrication rather than a genuine 13th-century manuscript. Readers who accept the work as genuine praised: - Detailed descriptions of medieval Chinese city life - Cultural observations about trade and commerce - Personal reflections that feel authentic to the period Common criticisms: - Historical inaccuracies and anachronisms - Writing style seems too modern - Lack of verifiable manuscript evidence - Publisher's refusal to allow scholarly examination Ratings: Goodreads: 3.4/5 (31 ratings) Amazon: 3.2/5 (12 ratings) Representative review: "Whether genuine or not, it provides fascinating insights into medieval China. However, the author's modern sensibilities make me skeptical." - Goodreads reviewer Another reader noted: "The controversy overshadows what could be an interesting historical account. Hard to fully enjoy while questioning its legitimacy."

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🔹 The city of Zaitun (Quanzhou) described in the book was one of the world's largest ports during the 13th century, handling more maritime trade than any other Chinese city and hosting merchants from across Asia and the Middle East. 🔹 If authentic, Jacob d'Ancona's manuscript remained hidden for over 700 years before its discovery in the 1990s, reportedly preserved by generations of Italian Jewish families. 🔹 The book contains detailed descriptions of Chinese paper money (a revolutionary concept for Europeans at the time) and the use of coal for heating - observations that align with known historical facts about Song Dynasty China. 🔹 Several scholars have questioned the text's authenticity due to the manuscript's mysterious provenance and the author's surprisingly modern views on religious tolerance and cultural relativism. 🔹 The original text was allegedly written in a mixture of medieval Hebrew, Italian, and Arabic - common languages for a Jewish merchant of that period - though the original manuscript has never been made publicly available for verification.