{"product_id":"the-city-of-light","title":"Jacob D'Ancona: The City of Light [1998] paperback","description":"In 1270, Jewish scholar-merchant Jacob d'Ancona embarked on a remarkable voyage from his native Italy to Zaitun, the City of Light, a vast coastal metropolis in Southern China. Translated and edited by David Selbourne from a manuscript hidden from the outside world for centuries, it is a brilliant work of historical significance, a fascinating first-person insight into life in the 13th century. It describes a thriving mercantile economy, whose vigorous manufacture and lavish consumption in the shadow of the impending Mongol invasion represent the swansong of a wealthy, decadent and surprisingly 'modern' society. Jacob d'Ancona's participation as a foreign trader in the grand civic debates shed unique light on, for example, the contemporary relationship of Jews and Christians, and the role for the individual in society - arguments of enduring relevance. It includes an end-piece by David Selbourne discussing the reaction to the 1997 hardback publication.","brand":"D'ancona, Jacob \u0026 Selbourne, David","offers":[{"title":"Very Good","offer_id":47812230021459,"sku":"XV80349108957","price":6.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0616\/4001\/6057\/files\/d-ancona-jacob-selbourne-david-the-city-of-light-xv80349108957-54924602474835.jpg?v=1726325771","url":"https:\/\/theirishbookshop.live\/products\/the-city-of-light","provider":"Chapters Bookstore","version":"1.0","type":"link"}