"Trade, Travel, and Exploration in the Middle Ages is a reference book that covers the peoples, places, technologies, and intellectual concepts that contributed to trade, travel, and exploration during the Middle Ages, from the years A.D. 525 to 1492.".

"Comprehensive coverage. In 400 signed articles, over 175 expert contributors have come together to create the most comprehensive and detailed presentation to date of this ever-popular and continually developing area of history. The topics range widely from familiar ones - such as the voyage of Columbus and Marco Polo - to less familiar but no less fascinating topics such as traditions of travel among Muslim women and the influence of Viking travel on navigation and geographical knowledge.

Overview essays on topics like medieval geography and inland transportation help place articles on specific events, locations and technologies in context." "Interdisciplinary, non-Eurocentric approach. The contributors are specialists in a wide variety of fields, including European literature, European art, Asian studies, and the history of technology. Extensive coverage of non-European cultures includes articles on topics such as travel in Mongol society and the spread of Buddhism.".

"Fascinating details of daily life. Many articles cover specific conditions and technologies of travel such as inns and accommodations, horses and harnesses, and use of the magnetic compass."--BOOK JACKET.