The Realm of Prester John

Author:   Robert Silverberg
Publisher:   Ohio University Press
Edition:   1
ISBN:  

9780821411384


Pages:   356
Publication Date:   15 April 1996
Format:   Paperback
Availability:   Awaiting stock   Availability explained
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The Realm of Prester John


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Overview

In this modern account of the genesis of a great medieval myth, celebrated science fiction author Robert Silverberg’s explores the mysterious origins of Prester John, the astonishing Christian potentate of the East. Prester John was a legendary figure who cast a powerful spell over Latin Christendom for almost five centuries. Rumors of the warrior-king-prelate’s fabulous realms first reached Europe in the eleventh century and quickly assumed an exalted status alongside such fabled wonders as El Dorado, The Fountain of Youth, and the Holy Grail. The defeat of a Moslem Turkish tribe by a Buddhist Chinese warlord seems to have been the unlikely historical nugget around which the Prester John myth grew, but contributions to this strange saga have also been traced all around the globe to the Apostle Thomas' apocryphal preaching in India, to the actual existence of small colonies of Nestorian schismatics in central Asia, and even to Genghis Khan.

Full Product Details

Author:   Robert Silverberg
Publisher:   Ohio University Press
Imprint:   Ohio University Press
Edition:   1
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 2.60cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.499kg
ISBN:  

9780821411384


ISBN 10:   0821411381
Pages:   356
Publication Date:   15 April 1996
Audience:   College/higher education ,  General/trade ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Undergraduate ,  General
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Awaiting stock   Availability explained
The supplier is currently out of stock of this item. It will be ordered for you and placed on backorder. Once it does come back in stock, we will ship it out for you.

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Reviews

A book as exotic and complex as a mosaic in a Coptic chapel. The story begins in dreams and fantasies, with tales of bizarre rites, miracles and wonders, as the author emphasizes, of unicorns and unipeds, a kingdom that bordered Eden itself. * San Francisco Chronicle * Silverberg has pieced together the life history of the myth of Prester John, the astonishing Christian potentate of the East—a legend which cast a powerful spell over Latin Christendom for centuries. Rumors of the warrior-king-prelate's fabulous realms first reached Europe in the eleventh century where they quickly assumed an exalted status alongside such wonders as El Dorado, The Fountain of Youth, and the Holy Grail. The defeat of a menacing Moslem Turkish tribe by a Buddhist Chinese warlord seems to have been the unlikely historical nugget around which the splendiferous myth grew, but contributions to this strange saga have also been traced to the Apostle Thomas' apocryphal preaching in India, to the actual existence of small colonies of Nestorian schismatics in central Asia, and—incredibly—to Ghengis Khan… Silverberg serves up the fantastic details lavishly while diligently striving to sort out the shadowy facts from the imaginative incrustations. * Kirkus Reviews *


An odd and exotic slice of medieval Christianity. Silverberg has pieced together the life history of the myth of Prester John, the astonishing Christian potentate of the East - a legend which cast a powerful spell over Latin Christendom for centuries. Rumors of the warrior-king-prelate's fabulous realms first reached Europe in the 11th century where they quickly assumed an exalted status alongside such wonders as E1 Dorado, The Fountain of Youth, and the Holy Grail. The defeat of a menacing Moslem Turkish tribe by a Buddhist Chinese warlord seems to have been the unlikely historical nugget around which the splendiferous myth grew, but contributions to this strange saga have also been traced to the Apostle Thomas' apocryphal preaching in India, to the actual existence of small colonies of Nestorian schismatics in central Asia, and - incredibly - to Ghengis Khan. Candidly admitting that any reconstruction of the peregrinations of the Prester John tale involves a lengthy voyage on the treacherous sea of conjecture, Silverberg is wisely content to be provocative without worrying too much about historical vindication. Nevertheless, he demonstrates a surprisingly empathic grasp of the more aberrant strains of medieval Christianity as he follows his fabled hero through the chronicles of Otto of Freising, Joinville, Matthew Paris, Marco Polo, etc. The interpretations - or speculations - of other researchers have been deftly woven into the sinuous narrative. While exploiting intrinsic interest of the subject, Silverberg serves up the fantastic details lavishly while diligently striving to sort out the shadowy facts from the imaginative incrustations. (Kirkus Reviews)


Silverberg has pieced together the life history of the myth of Prester John, the astonishing Christian potentate of the East--a legend which cast a powerful spell over Latin Christendom for centuries. Rumors of the warrior-king-prelate's fabulous realms first reached Europe in the eleventh century where they quickly assumed an exalted status alongside such wonders as El Dorado, The Fountain of Youth, and the Holy Grail. The defeat of a menacing Moslem Turkish tribe by a Buddhist Chinese warlord seems to have been the unlikely historical nugget around which the splendiferous myth grew, but contributions to this strange saga have also been traced to the Apostle Thomas' apocryphal preaching in India, to the actual existence of small colonies of Nestorian schismatics in central Asia, and -- incredibly -- to Ghengis Khan. ... Silverberg serves up the fantastic details lavishly while diligently striving to sort out the shadowy facts from the imaginative incrustations. -- Kirkus Reviews


Author Information

Robert Silverberg, a renowned science fiction author and recipient of multiple Hugo and Nebula Awards, also writes books reflecting his special interest in myth, history, archaeology, and anthropology.

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