Travel writings on Asia. curiosity, identities, and knowledge across the East, c. 1200 to the present

Christian Mueller (Editor), Matteo Salonia (Editor)

Research output: Book/ReportBookpeer-review

Abstract

The book provides an analysis of human actors and their capacity to explore and conceptualise their own agency by being curious, gathering knowledge, and shaping identities in their travel reflections on Asia. Thus, the actors open windows across time to present a profound overview of diverse descriptions and constructions of Asia. The authors demonstrate that international and transnational history contributes to and benefits from analyses of national and local contexts that in turn enrich our understanding of transcultural encounters and experiences across time.
The book proposes an actor-centred contextual approach to travel writing to recount meaningful constructions of Asia’s physical, political and spiritual landscapes. It offers comparative reflections on the patterns of encounter across Eurasia, where from the late medieval period an idea of civilisation was transculturally shared yet also constantly questioned and reframed. Tailored for academic and public discussions alike, this volume will be invaluable for both scholars of Global History and interested audiences to stimulate further discussions on the nature of global encounters in Asia.
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationBasingstoke
PublisherPalgrave Macmillan
Number of pages310
Edition1st
ISBN (Electronic)9789811901249
ISBN (Print)9789811901232, 9811901236
Publication statusPublished Online - 1 Jun 2022

Publication series

NamePalgrave Series in Asia and Pacific Studies
PublisherPalgrave

Keywords

  • Travel Writings
  • curiosity in global history
  • Identities
  • Asian networks
  • Silk Roads
  • Eurasian encounters
  • intellectual history
  • borders and identities
  • knowledge and Empire
  • transnational culture
  • transnational history
  • imperial geographies
  • imperial mobilities
  • early globalisation
  • ethnography and peripheries
  • Open Access

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