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Summary: The Best Book I've Ever Read!
Review: I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN! I read it in the car at red lights, in elevators on the way up and down, took it to restaurants on dates with my boyfriend. If only there were more like it. I can't believe it hasn't been made into a miniseries or at least made the best sellers list. In one word it was: FANTASTIC.
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Summary: READ IT. Simply, utterly enthralling. Like all his books..
Review: Please don't miss this book. Nor Aztec, Raptor, or Spangle.
Just truly enjoyable.... the historical fiction book you dream about finding, reading, and getting lost in.
The others were "written" after his death and I don't know how or who actually did the writing, but they were never as good as Mr. Jennings originals.
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Summary: Just fiction..a historical fantasy
Review: A masterful use of events occuring in history. What is however disconcerting is the character & tradition demolition of certain ethnic groups through his fictional character of Marco Polo in the book. He has distorted the customs, traditions & habits of people that Marco Polo supposedly met in his journeys. Strangely, this even contradicts what Marco Polo wrote about the same people or nations in his original Franco-Genovese narrative "The Description of the World". True, history is written by the survivors, & also true, fiction takes creative license to weave more romantic & readable stories to make history go down easier.. thats what the book is meant to be..just fiction..if you want to really read about Marco Polo , go somewhere else.
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Summary: Jennings did it again
Review: In "The Journeyer", Jennings now tells the story of a certain Marco Polo. The life of the venetian adventurer certainly is a good source for any writers whose novels are based on historical fiction. The point here is not knowing if Jennings made an accurate portrait of Polo's life, but ot enjoy Jenning's description of Polo's life. The book style itself is very similar to that of Aztec, although not nearly tragedic as the life of Mixtli. Marco Polo's story is well known, even eight centuries after it happened. It is said nobody believed the things he told about he far east, and if this book so much as resembles the real history, I myself couldn't believe everything either. Even today oriental way of life is very different than the ocidental way. Jennings describes places, people, religions and his favorite matter, sex, with the usual boldness and hilarity. A very fine book, almost as good as Aztec. Grade 9.1/10
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Summary: Jennings at His Best!
Review: I had read two other books by Jennings (Raptor and Aztec) and think that this is the best of the three. This is a fascinating look at the journeys of Marco Polo through Asia. I learned a great deal of history through this book such as the origins of paper money, bombs, and European maps. The book is loaded with fascinating characters with great names (Nostril and The Fondler for example). It is told in a manner that the reader feels they are traveling with Marco on his long treks. We can actually feel the tension and despair the characters feel as Marco tries to save a woman from the tortures of Fondler. The battle scenes are so vivid it seems that Mr. Jennings has literally transported the reader to the center of the action. Not to be missed!
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Summary: Prepare for the Journey of your life!!!!
Review: For the curious and the adventurer at heart . . . this book is THE handbook of entertainment and information. It will make going back to a "Hum-Drum" job, like mine, most difficult. The would be journeyer will ask him/herself "Life is so short, why am doing this?!"
This is the my 3rd read of Jenning's masterpieces. I slowly savored this book for 7 weeks reading and re-reading again each fascinating part. This book is loaded with great adventure, betrayal, eroticism, humor, intrigue, wisdom and knowledge. I was so sad when I finished the book and realized that I had earmarked over 40 places where a valuable lesson or incredible event happened. So, I went back and even re-read them again! I never thought there could be another book as good as "Aztec" but The Journeyer is, indeed, in it's own unique way.
Although not an easy book to read (for the weak stomached!!!)a person just has to realize that however appalling to us American's certain cultures are, that's just the way they are. Being an Italian I particularly enjoyed Marco's childhood experiences in Venice and his dialogs with his father and uncle along the way.
His experience with "Mitzvah" bears serious consideration for all who read the book. You'll just have to read it to find out---it is well worth it.
One of my favorite parts was the way he so truly loved his darling "Echo" and they way they so vivdly communicated, in spite of what some would call a "handicap". What a lesson for those of us who live among disabled people.
Finally, his explanation of the views and beliefs of the Islamic religion is so educational and appropriate for today. No wonder they feel about those of us who worship Jesus Christ and support the Nation of Israel as they do. Jenning's experiences and research for this book make this clear. To them, we are filthy infidels. This book is a real eye-opener as to how the Christian and Jew is viewed by the Muslim world. Their beliefs about women are clearly defined, too. A muslim with daughters is considered "childless" for only male children matter. How sad.
Marco's reflections over his life and life itself at the end of the book are a truthful and deep ruminessence of what all men feel and think as they grow older and life begins to pass them by.
This is definately a mind expanding book that is pure enjoyment for the "arm chair" Journeyer!!!!
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Summary: It provides a key to time travel.
Review: Well, these are the supposedly untold stories of Marco Polo. His sort of intimate life viewed through the imagination of the author. In literary terms is not a masterpiece, and at some points some of plot gets weak but as most of the reviewers have said, Mr. Jennings provide you with all the elements so that you can visualize those times almost effortless and that alone is worth the reading. During few passages I was annoyed by the lack of respect he shows for some of the cultures and religions. For example the mocks the people of India as being lazy and of poor hygiene, while forgetting that the Europeans new very little about personal tidiness well into the XX Century. Those minor points aside, do not withdraw from reading it just because of is size, most probably you will be so entertained that in a few weeks it will be over.
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Summary: Reading Entertainment At Its Best
Review: "The Journeyer" has long been one of my all time favorites, a copy sits on my shelf along side my other cherished books..."Dune," "Don Quixote" to name a few. If you're looking for a well told story with richly drawn characters, writing that reads like the finest tapestry, and a story you won't soon forget, "Journeyer" is one you'll want to own!
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Summary: inspirational
Review: what a fantastic book inspired me to see the world after i consumed it at the age of17 have met people who have also read it and we talked for hours and were both blown away by garys descriptions of the fondler and other adventures marco polo gets up to. marco polo-legend
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Summary: True epic
Review: Jennings is a fantastic writer and his research is unparallelled. Although I actually liked 'Aztec' and 'Raptor' a little better, I still have to give this a '5'. The first section, covering Marco's boyhood in Venice, moved a little too slowly for me but as soon as he left to go adventuring with his stalwart, proper father and his over-the-top uncle, the story really took off. His descriptions of places, people and customs were fascinating. And at some points, I laughed out loud, especially when he described the obnoxious and dirty Bho (Tibetans) and the filth of India! Not at all politically correct but probably right on the mark! Marco had some wild adventures, endless intrigues and meets some remarkable characters. One I will not soon forget was the horrific "Fondler", the expert torturer in Kublai Khan's court. A true epic, colorful, sprawling and genuinely moving. I'm glad I found this paperback copy in a used book store. Jennings doesn't get a book out often, but when he does, it's worth the wait. Really outstanding.
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