One of the most successful, influential and acclaimed travel books of recent years from the author of 'Return of a King', which has been shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson prize. At the age of twenty-two, William Dalrymple left his college in Cambridge to travel to the ruins of Kublai Khan's stately pleasure dome in Xanadu. This is an account of a quest which took him and his companions across the width of Asia, along dusty, forgotten roads, through villages and cities full of unexpected hospitality and wildly improbable escapades, to Coleridge's Xanadu itself. At once funny and knowledgeable, In Xanadu is in the finest tradition of British travel writing. Told with an exhilarating blend of eloquence, wit, poetry and delight, it is already established as a classic of its kind.
William Dalrymple
William Dalrymple is a Scottish historian, writer, and journalist known for his works on India and the Middle East. His notable works include "City of Djinns," "The Last Mughal," and "Return of a King," which have received critical acclaim for their detailed research and engaging narrative style. Dalrymple's writing blends history, travelogue, and biography, offering readers a rich and immersive experience of the places and people he explores. His works have had a significant impact on the genre of historical non-fiction, shedding light on lesser-known stories and perspectives from the past. "City of Djinns" is considered his most famous work, capturing the essence of Delhi and its complex history with vivid storytelling and meticulous research. Dalrymple's contributions to literature have earned him numerous awards and accolades, establishing him as a leading voice in the field of historical writing.