{"title":"Seyyed ʿAli Akbar Khatayi","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeyyed ʿAli Akbar Khatayi\u003c\/strong\u003e offers insightful explorations into historical narratives, with a focus on cultural intersections and the complexities of past empires. Readers can expect thought-provoking works that delve into the nuanced relations between regions, exemplified by titles such as \u003cem\u003eThe Book of China\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHis writings blend detailed historical research with engaging storytelling, ideal for those interested in military history and the broader forces shaping civilizations. This collection invites you to navigate pivotal moments and lesser-known perspectives within world history.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-book-of-china-by-seyyed-ʿali-akbar-khatayi-9780231224307","title":"The Book of China","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the early sixteenth century, a Persian-speaking Muslim merchant named ʿAli Akbar Khatayi travelled to China and stayed for six years. There, he acquired inside knowledge of the Ming imperial court and gained familiarity with the government bureaucracy, the military, and the daily lives and culture of ordinary people. In a treatise presented to the rulers of the Ottoman Empire, Khatayi laid out his observations—here translated in full into English for the first time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Book of China\u003c\/i\u003e is the most in-depth and sophisticated account of China’s government, society, and culture written by a foreigner before the era of European global dominance and an incomparable record of Eurasian perceptions of China at the dawn of the gunpowder age. In contrast to travellers such as Marco Polo, Khatayi not only chronicled sights and wonders but also sought systematic explanations for Ming China’s wealth and power. He found the answer in Chinese governmental institutions and the universal rule of law, to which administrators and even the emperor himself were subject.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHis text also provides vivid descriptions of street life, festivals, and places from temples to brothels to the prison where he and his companions were detained. Opening a window onto the colourful worlds of the Ming court and the Silk Road, \u003ci\u003eThe Book of China\u003c\/i\u003e shows how travel and cultural contact could inspire political imagination across continents.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48038509740268,"sku":"9780231224307","price":35.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780231224307-the-book-of-china.jpg?v=1785393287"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/seyyed-%ca%bfali-akbar-khatayi.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}