Walter of Gurnie, bastard son of an English peer, is forced to flee from Oxford for his part in the university riots of 1273. Inspired by Friar Bacon, he determines to travel to China. With his friend Tristam, he fights his way to the heart of the fabulous Mongol Empire, and returns famous, to find that he must choose between the first love he thought lost and the exotic flower that he found in the East.
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"This is a really charming adventure story of the "honest young man of illegitimate birth makes good" genre. The writing is unsophisticated and the story is like a fairy tale. But the writing is good and the story I thought wonderful. "
— Ross (4 out of 5 stars)
" Truly a find. Nice historical novel written around 1945. I found my copy at a church bazaar while traveling through Cape Cod.<br/><br/> "
— Soli, 5/5/2011" A classic tale of love, friendship, and adventure. If you've never heard of this book, I implore you to find a copy, it won't dissapoint you. "
— Nishi, 3/7/2011" Brilliant novel by James Costain - Brilliant "
— Katie, 10/5/2010" A beautifully written novel of a young English adventurers travels to the Far East. Loaded with adventure, history and romance, it is a delightful read. "
— Frank, 9/19/2010" A wonderful story of adventure and romance during an Englishman's trip to China and back in Medieval Times. "
— Marjorie, 5/25/2010" My father-in-law had me read this book. It's been years ago but I remember how much I enjoyed reading it. I've tried again since then to read it and have found it a little harder to get through. "
— Julie, 5/12/2010" Fun historical adventure novel, set during the Crusades period. "
— Keith, 12/15/2009" A very good story about a man pursuing his dream and finding more than he ever imagined. Gut wrenching at times, and full of suspense. Great read. "
— Jon, 11/30/2009Thomas B. Costain (1885–1965) was born in Brantford. He attended high school there as well as the Brantford Collegiate Institute. His career as a writer began in 1902 when the Brantford Courier accepted a mystery story from him, and he became a reporter there (for five dollars a week). He was an editor at the Guelph Daily Mercury between 1908 and 1910. He married Ida Randolph Spragge on January 12, 1910 and they had two children. Beginning in 1914, he was a staff writer for and, from 1917, editor of Toronto-based Maclean’s magazine. His success there brought him to the attention of the Saturday Evening Post in New York City where he was fiction editor for fourteen years.
David Case was a distinguished narrator who recorded over 700 audiobooks, was nominated for a Grammy Award, and received numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards for his narrations. AudioFile magazine named him a Golden Voice.
Frederick Davidson (1932–2005), also known as David Case, was one of the most prolific readers in the audiobook industry, recording more than eight hundred audiobooks in his lifetime, including over two hundred for Blackstone Audio. Born in London, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and performed for many years in radio plays for the British Broadcasting Company before coming to America in 1976. He received AudioFile’s Golden Voice Award and numerous Earphones Awards and was nominated for a Grammy for his readings.