Books with author Frances Wood

We all “know” that Marco Polo went to China, served Ghengis Khan for many years, and returned to Italy with the recipes for pasta and ice cream. But Frances Wood, head of the Chinese Department at the British Library, argues that Marco Polo not only never went to China, he probably never even made it past the Black Sea, where his family conducted business as merchants.Marco Polo's travels from Venice to the exotic and distant East, and his epic book describing his extraordinary adventures, A Description of the World, ranks among the most famous and influential books ever published. In this fascinating piece of historical detection, marking the 700th anniversary of Polo's journey, Frances Wood questions whether Marco Polo ever reached the country he so vividly described. Why, in his romantic and seemingly detailed account, is there no mention of such fundamentals of Chinese life as tea, foot-binding, or even the Great Wall? Did he really bring back pasta and ice cream to Italy? And why, given China's extensive and even obsessive record-keeping, is there no mention of Marco Polo anywhere in the archives?Sure to spark controversy, Did Marco Polo Go to China? tries to solve these and other inconsistencies by carefully examining the Polo family history, Marco Polo's activities as a merchant, the preparation of his book, and the imperial Chinese records. The result is a lucid and readable look at medieval European and Chinese history, and the characters and events that shaped this extraordinary and enduring myth.

We all ?know? that Marco Polo went to China, served Ghengis Khan for many years, and returned to Italy with the recipes for pasta and ice cream. But Frances Wood, head of the Chinese Department at the British Library, argues that Marco Polo not only never went to China, he probably never even made it past the Black Sea, where his family conducted business as merchants.Marco Polo's travels from Venice to the exotic and distant East, and his epic book describing his extraordinary adventures, A Description of the World, ranks among the most famous and influential books ever published. In this fascinating piece of historical detection, marking the 700th anniversary of Polo's journey, Frances Wood questions whether Marco Polo ever reached the country he so vividly described. Why, in his romantic and seemingly detailed account, is there no mention of such fundamentals of Chinese life as tea, foot-binding, or even the Great Wall? Did he really bring back pasta and ice cream to Italy? And why, given China's extensive and even obsessive record-keeping, is there no mention of Marco Polo anywhere in the archives?Sure to spark controversy, Did Marco Polo Go to China? tries to solve these and other inconsistencies by carefully examining the Polo family history, Marco Polo's activities as a merchant, the preparation of his book, and the imperial Chinese records. The result is a lucid and readable look at medieval European and Chinese history, and the characters and events that shaped this extraordinary and enduring myth.

We all “know” that Marco Polo went to China, served Ghengis Khan for many years, and returned to Italy with the recipes for pasta and ice cream. But Frances Wood, head of the Chinese Department at the British Library, argues that Marco Polo not only never went to China, he probably never even made it past the Black Sea, where his family conducted business as merchants.Marco Polo's travels from Venice to the exotic and distant East, and his epic book describing his extraordinary adventures, A Description of the World, ranks among the most famous and influential books ever published. In this fascinating piece of historical detection, marking the 700th anniversary of Polo's journey, Frances Wood questions whether Marco Polo ever reached the country he so vividly described. Why, in his romantic and seemingly detailed account, is there no mention of such fundamentals of Chinese life as tea, foot-binding, or even the Great Wall? Did he really bring back pasta and ice cream to Italy? And why, given China's extensive and even obsessive record-keeping, is there no mention of Marco Polo anywhere in the archives?Sure to spark controversy, Did Marco Polo Go to China? tries to solve these and other inconsistencies by carefully examining the Polo family history, Marco Polo's activities as a merchant, the preparation of his book, and the imperial Chinese records. The result is a lucid and readable look at medieval European and Chinese history, and the characters and events that shaped this extraordinary and enduring myth.

Longing to escape her restricted life in 1890s Oakland, California, feisty 17-year-old Beatrice Blake confronts her mother and deserts her fiancé to accept a teaching job in the frontier mill town of Snohomish, Washington. But her dream of independence quickly turns grim. She proves unable to control her rowdy school children, the town's people accuse her of triggering a lumberman's death and of bringing smallpox. Her favorite dark cape prompts a rumor that she is a witch.Complicating her life, Beatrice is immediately attracted to a dashing German immigrant and she begins to question all she once held as true. As her personal crisis deepens, Beatrice rises to the challenge and begins to listen to her own heart. Humbled by her situation and the kindness of others, she finds unexpected happiness and freedom, discovering a generous and forgiving side of herself she had long kept hidden.Becoming Beatrice will resonate with today's readers through the evergreen themes of romance, friendship, racism, multiculturalism, bullying, independence and overcoming personal challenges.

Cesa de Haro loves the land—the vast and beautiful Rancho del Valle de la Madrugada, the Ranch of the Valley of the Dawn—where she and her family live. It’s where Cesa was born, the only home she has ever known, and the place where her mother died eight years ago. The ranch is Cesa’s world.But that world is threatened when Mexico loses the 1846 war with the United States. Upper California, and the de Haro family’s ranch with it, now belongs to foreigners—the Americans. Each day more of them arrive in California, hungry for gold and for land. Now it is up to Cesa to assume her mother’s role as mistress of the ranch and help to preserve her family’s way of life. But will the sacrifice it requires be more than she’s willing to make?

As the only daughter in the de Haro family, the time has come for 13-year-old Cesa to assume the responsibilities of a woman. But Cesa isn’t interested in the kitchen. She loves the land–the vast and beautiful Rancho del Valle de la Madrugada, the Ranch of the Valley of the Dawn, where day–and all life–begins and ends. This is where Cesa was born, the only home she has ever known, and the place where her mother died eight years ago. The ranch is Cesa’s world. The world beyond, though, is changing. Mexico has lost the 1846 war with the United States, and Upper California now belongs to the Americans. Each day more of them arrive in California, hungry for gold and for land. As her family’s way of life is threatened, Cesa discovers that there’s more to being a woman than she thought–and the sacrifice it requires may be more than she’s willing to make.

The year Rosemary makes her first true friend is also a year of great change for her and her entire community. Rumors have begun to spread through the serene farming village: tales of witchcraft and evil. To protect her family and her new friend, Rosemary takes action against the harmful gossip. In the process, she discovers a new, wondrous side of herself.

Marco Polo's book "The Description of the World" is one of the classics of medieval literature, describing his epic journey to China and subsequent return to Italy. He has become a cultural icon bridging East and West, his name known by adults and children alike. This is a piece of historical detective work, marking the 700th anniversary of Polo's journey, and questions whether the explorer ever reached the country he so vividly described. Why, within his romantic and detailed account, is there no mention of such fundamental aspects of Chinese life as tea or foot-binding, or even the Great Wall? Did Polo really bring noodles and ice-cream back to Italy? And why is there no record of the Polo family in China itself?

Yes, you can! A fun, confidence-building coloring book to boost positivity and creativity in kids. Each image displays a phrase within the artwork, praising the child in the hopes of bringing a smile to their face. In today's world, children need as much support as they can get. Our hope is that this charming coloring book becomes a bright spot in their lives. The back of each coloring page is black to prevent bleed-through from wet media like markers. It is recommended that the colorist place a piece of scrap paper behind your page just in case there is any color transferred onto the next page. The best results may be achieved using colored pencils and crayons. Because we have printed one coloring image per page, the finished masterpieces can be easily displayed on the fridge or in picture frames without sacrificing any image that would have been printed on the back.

The year Rosemary makes her first true friend is also a year of great change for her and her entire community. Rumors have begun to spread through the serene farming village: tales of witchcraft and evil. To protect her family and her new friend, Rosemary takes action against the harmful gossip. In the process, she discovers a new, wondrous side of herself.