Marco Polo was a Venetian merchant and explorer known for his travel accounts detailing his journeys to Asia. His famous book, The Travels of Marco Polo, offered Europeans their first look at Eastern lands and cultures.
If you enjoy reading books by Marco Polo then you might also like the following authors:
Ibn Battuta was a Moroccan traveler who explored parts of Africa, the Middle East, India, and even China. Like Marco Polo, he wrote detailed descriptions of the places he visited, including culture, politics, and daily life.
His vivid accounts in The Travels of Ibn Battuta reveal the rich diversity of fourteenth-century societies, focusing especially on Islamic traditions and customs.
Zheng He was a Chinese admiral who embarked on voyages across Southeast Asia, India, the Middle East, and East Africa during the Ming Dynasty. Rather than personal adventure, his journals emphasize the grandeur and diplomatic purpose of China's naval power and trade relations.
The Overall Survey of the Ocean's Shores highlights the vastness of his fleet's travels and the political interactions between China and other cultures.
Odoric of Pordenone was an Italian Franciscan missionary who journeyed across Asia in the 1300s. He documented diverse cultures, landscapes, and religious practices throughout his adventures.
His account, The Travels of Friar Odoric, presents a thoughtful mixture of observation, wonder, and spiritual interest as he encountered societies very different from medieval Europe.
Giovanni da Pian del Carpine was an Italian friar sent by the Pope as an envoy to the Mongol Empire in the mid-thirteenth century. His travel writing, captured in History of the Mongols, offers careful and detailed observations of Mongol society, tactics, and culture.
Carpine writes clearly and informatively, aiming to better understand Mongol intentions and strength.
William of Rubruck was a Flemish missionary who undertook a journey to Mongolia in the mid-1200s. He traveled extensively through Central Asia, carefully noting his experiences of the Mongolian people's lifestyles and religious practices.
His work, The Journey of William of Rubruck, is thoughtful and thorough, giving readers firsthand insights into the Mongols' daily lives, beliefs, and interactions with Christianity.
Benjamin of Tudela was a Jewish traveler from Spain who explored parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa in the 12th century. His travel accounts provide detailed insights into Jewish communities, trade routes, and local customs in medieval society.
In his book, The Travels of Benjamin, he shares clear descriptions of cities, cultures, and the varying religious practices he encountered.
Sir John Mandeville's writings blend reality and fantasy, entertaining readers since the 14th century. His popular work, The Travels of Sir John Mandeville, covers distant lands and fascinating peoples, combining factual observations with inventive legends.
Fans of Marco Polo often find pleasure in Mandeville's imaginative tales and curious wanderings.
Ruy González de Clavijo was a Spanish diplomat whose journeys took him to the heart of Central Asia. He visited the court of Timur (Tamerlane) and recorded his diplomatic experiences in the book Embassy to Tamerlane.
His accounts provide clear representations of customs, ceremonies, and daily life, offering a practical and insightful look into foreign diplomacy in the early 15th century.
Friar Jordanus was a missionary who traveled extensively throughout Asia in the early 14th century. His work, Mirabilia Descripta, offers readers concise but vivid descriptions of India's social practices, religious diversity, and remarkable geography.
Those who enjoy Marco Polo's attention to detail and cultural curiosity will appreciate Friar Jordanus's straightforward and engaging style.
Pedro Álvares Cabral was a Portuguese navigator and explorer known for his discovery and exploration of modern-day Brazil.
Though he himself did not write extensively, his voyages inspired numerous accounts that describe early Portuguese interactions with indigenous peoples and unexplored territory.
An example is the collection of letters and reports known as the Letter of Pero Vaz de Caminha, written by a crew member, clearly detailing the land and people Cabral encountered.
If Marco Polo's journeys sparked your imagination, you may appreciate Vasco da Gama’s account of exploration. Da Gama’s travels combine adventure and detailed observations as he sailed around Africa's tip to reach India.
His journey opened new maritime routes and exposed readers to foreign cultures, trade, and geography.
A notable collection documenting his travels is A Journal of the First Voyage of Vasco da Gama, which offers valuable insights into early global trade and contact with distant societies.
Like Marco Polo, Christopher Columbus brings readers into a world of bold voyages and fascinating encounters. Columbus documented his quest for a western route from Europe to Asia, describing his discoveries in the Caribbean and the Americas.
His writings cover topics like navigation, interaction with indigenous populations, and curiosity about uncharted territories. In his journal The Journal of Christopher Columbus, you can experience firsthand his excitement, struggles, and impressions during his historic travels.
Ferdinand Magellan’s story illustrates bravery, discovery, and a determination to explore the unknown. Similar to Marco Polo, Magellan documented his encounters with distant lands and people during his ambitious expedition to circumnavigate the world.
This voyage is vividly captured in The First Voyage Around the World, which emphasizes human resilience, new cultural interactions, and groundbreaking geographical knowledge gained by his historic journey.
Readers drawn to Marco Polo’s curiosity and adventurous spirit might also enjoy James Cook. Cook thoroughly documented his exploratory journeys through detailed diaries and carefully drawn maps.
His work captures his fascination with geography, foreign cultures, and scientific observation. The Journals of Captain Cook is a clear and engaging account of his explorations across the Pacific, portraying unforgettable landscapes and his interactions with local people.
Richard Hakluyt stands out as someone who passionately compiled and narrated the accounts of many explorers, much as Marco Polo inspired future generations.
His collection The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques, and Discoveries of the English Nation brings together journeys of adventurers including detailed reports on their discoveries.
Hakluyt's writing deeply influenced future explorers, offering readers a rich sense of adventure, expansion, and curiosity about the wider world.