Step into the world where Europe's first great universities flourished, philosophers and poets reshaped the medieval imagination, caravans carried silk and spices from China to Cairo, and mighty cities like Venice and Hangzhou dazzled travelers with wonders now lost to time. Journey through the bustling streets of Paris, Budapest, Constantinople, Baghdad, Timbuktu, Lalibela, Mayapan, and Cahokia, and visit the legendary courts of emperors, sultans, and kings. This richly researched guide by the author of the historical fantasy The Garden at the Roof of the World takes the traveler on an unforgettable tour of the sights, beliefs, dangers, and marvels of a world known today mostly through ruins and chronicles, bringing the 13th century to life with the excitement of a grand adventure.

Unlike traditional medieval histories focused primarily on Europe or Asia, this immersive guide spans the entire world, from Europe and the Middle East to Africa, Asia, and the Americas, to reveal the interconnected global web of the 13th century's diversity and splendor. A blend of history, travel, and forgotten chronicles, it invites readers to discover a medieval age far larger, richer, and more fascinating than most people imagine.