John Mandeville | The Book of Marvels and Travels | A Review
The Book of Marvels and Travels
John Mandeville’s ‘The Book of Marvels and Travels’-A Review
“The Book of Marvels and Travels” is a travelogue written by the medieval explorer and writer John Mandeville, detailing his travels throughout the world during the 14th century. The book is a fascinating account of the various peoples, cultures, and customs Mandeville encountered on his journeys, and it provides a valuable glimpse into the medieval mindset and worldview.
The book is divided into several sections, each describing a different region of the world. Mandeville begins by describing his travels through the Holy Land, including the cities of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Nazareth, as well as the various holy sites associated with the life of Jesus Christ. He then moves on to Egypt, where he provides a detailed account of the pyramids, the Sphinx, and the various other ancient monuments and wonders of the region.
From there, Mandeville travels to the East, where he describes the various kingdoms and empires of the region, including Persia, India, and China. He provides detailed descriptions of the customs and traditions of each culture, as well as their religions, languages, and social structures. He also describes the various natural wonders of the region, including the Great Wall of China, the Himalayas, and the Ganges River.
Throughout the book, Mandeville also includes numerous tales and legends, many of which are clearly fantastical or mythical in nature. For example, he tells of a tribe of headless people, a race of dog-headed men, and a city made entirely of gold. While these stories are clearly fictional, they provide an interesting glimpse into the medieval mindset and the way in which people of the time thought about the world.
Overall, “The Book of Marvels and Travels” is a fascinating and valuable historical document, providing a detailed and vivid account of the medieval world and the various cultures and peoples that inhabited it. While some of the stories and descriptions may seem fantastical or exaggerated to modern readers, they are nonetheless a valuable source of insight into the medieval worldview and the way in which people of the time viewed the world around them. Anyone with an interest in history, travel, or medieval literature is sure to find this book an engaging and thought-provoking read. 0 0 0.
John Mandeville The Book of Marvels and Travels A Review
N.B. The article originally belongs to the book entitled ‘Reviews of Some Iconic Travelogues‘ by Menonim Menonimus.
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