How Asia's great civilization spread when its traveling merchants, scholars, and holy men brought their shining civilization to Europe's Dark Ages. Stewart Gordon has examined original texts in science and history, philosophy and courtly culture in order to understand and re-create the vast network of international, interethnic, and intercontinental activity that made Asia the center of the world. He brings to life this world of lively exchange and travel by recounting the fascinating stories of an array of explorers and travelers.

Stewart Gordon is Senior Research Scholar at the Center for South Asian Studies at the University of Michigan and the author of three books on Asia. He lives in Ann Arbor.