Reviews

Travelling Man: The Journey of Ibn Battuta, 1325-1354 by James Rumford. Marco Polo is a famous traveller of the Medieval World, with his most esteemed accomplishment being his depiction and travels in China. However, another traveller, this one from the Islamic World, not only travelled as much as Marco Polo but in my opinion, is even more fascinating. Ibn Batuta was from Magrehb, but he had an unrivalled passion for travelling. From North Africa to Yemen, and then criss crossing his way to faraway China, Ibn Batuta travelled the world in order to meet with the different princes and kings that dotted the map. From these kings, he would be lavished with gifts in return for working in their administration. Through the constantly changing fortunes of Ibn Batuta, his travels were marked with highs and lows, as he sometimes made huge sums of money before losing them within an instant. As a result, Ibn Batuta gives something that Marco Polo does not, which is an accurate depiction of the world during his time, as he brings to light the politics and dangers of travelling alongside the magnificent cultures and wonders of the world. Consequently, Ibn Batuta makes for a thrilling read, with his sometimes judgemental critiques of different cultures and peoples being both amusing and telling of his character. I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the Islamic World, and someone who already has a basic knowledge of Medieval History, but besides that, Ibn Batuta’s travels is a book that appeals to anyone with a love of cultures and travelling. This book earns a 4 out of 5.