Marco Polo (1254-1324), a Venetian merchant, spent many years in the service of Kubilai Khan and in his journeys to and from the Khan's court and around the Mongol Empire picked up immense amounts of direct and indirect knowledge about Asia. After his return to Europe he became involved in fighting between Venice and Genoa, was made a prisoner-of-war and in prison met Rustichello da Pisa, who wrote down the story of Polo's adventures.
In our Mystery & Suspense special interest area, read a Q&A with Jennifer Lee Carrell, author of the Shakespeare-inspired thriller, Interred with Their Bones.
Bestselling historian of the Civil War illuminates how Lincoln worked with—and often against—his senior commanders to defeat the Confederacy and create the role of commander in chief as we know it.