In 1271, a mere 17 years old, Marco Polo left Venice in company with his uncle and several other merchants. Twenty-four years later, in 1295, he returned, now a mature 41.
Along with merchandise and money, he came back with extraordinary memories of his long trip through Asia, one that culminated with his years at the court of China. With help from others, he fashioned these into his famous book of travels.
The original manuscript of this work does not survive. Instead there are the texts of some 150 "editions," of which it has been said that no two are exactly the same.