world travelers & WANDERERS

Scholar and alchemist dodges persecution with mixed success.

In Heather Terrell's new historical thriller, THE MAP THIEF, Mara Coyne has been hired to recover a centuries-old map stolen from an archaeological dig in China. As Mara begins her investigation, she discovers the map has greater value than anyone expected --- and that her client's motives may be suspect. Terrell delivers a fast-paced, suspenseful story relating the journey of the first world map from fifteenth century China and Europe to the present-day.

Traveling through time and space.  This novel traces the history of a family whose fortunes become entangled with Julius Caesar, Charlemagne, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Richard the Lionheart, and Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain.

Matthias Fitzosbert, illegitimate son of a parish priest, has a unique
relationship with Rosifer, the fallen angel—the spirit he loves yet
hates, strives to placate yet ultimately must flee. The story of
Matthias is played out against the vivid panorama of the Middle
Ages—the fall of Constantinople; the last throes of the Wars of the
Roses; the terror of witchcraft; the loneliness of the Scottish marches;
the battlefields of Spain; and finally, the lush jungles of the
Caribbean, where the Rose Demon and Matthias meet for a final deadly
confrontation.

A visually-impaired young man, the adopted son of glass-makers in Murano, with a strange and acute gift for distinguishing colour and tone, embarks on a quest to find the perfect ultramarine blue - the colour of heaven - a journey that will take him across the world,through Persia, Afghanistan, and China, in which he learns not only
about color, but sight and distance, death and beauty, faith and love. 

Young adult novel about Henry Hudson and his search for the Northwest Passage to India in 1610.

The journey of a precious, holy book created in the fifteenth century and how it affects the lives of those through whose hands it passes. 

The fourth volume in the Corban Loosestrife saga travels from frozen Viking outposts to the Byzantium empire.

Don't let the author's name stop you... you MUST read this book.  It is as good as or better than any other medieval novel you've read.  I don't know why the blurbs say it's about a French  merchant traveling to China.. It's about a Breton druid and scholar traveling to Moorish Spain and the Near East with all the astounding adventure you could hope for.  NH

A dyer's apprentice rises to become a wealthy banker and adventurer in the mid-15th century.  Let me say right now.. I adore this series.  Nicholas de Gleury is one of the most engaging and complicated protagonists I have found.  These are all available from NLS and BKS.  NH

Bruges' local troublemaker rises from dyer's apprentice to husband of a rich widow twice his age.

Nicholas goes to the last outpost of the Byzantine Empire to enrich his wife and her diversifying dying business.

A concubine, the Queen of Cyprus and her bastard brother Zaco all chase Nicholas all around the Mediterranean.

Nicholas finds tragedy and love in Africa... or does he?  My favorite of the series so far. NH

Nicholas travels to Scotland, Egypt and Sinai in search for gold.. or his son? 

Not sure about this one.  It has lots of chilling drama and even two volcanoes... but so much seems to happen for no reason and even to be outlandish for the sake of outlandishment.  Hopefully the next one is more focused.  I can tell you this... if you thought you hated Henry before... whoo doggie. Very down ending. NH

The Lymond Chronicles
Author: Dorothy Dunnett

Francis Lymond is a nasty piece of Scottish work who finds adventure during the 16th century.  These are not for the intellectually faint of heart.  All available on NLS and BKS.

Voyages of St. Brendan.

The story of St. Brendan and his voyages.

Polo, on his death bed, tells his story only this time not leaving out the juicy stuff.

Marco Polo.

Did Christopher Columbus hide his true identity? Modern day/historical
thriller seeks to unravel the truth.

Romance about the Columbus-ster.

Young adult novel. Columbus's son Fernando tells the story of the
eventful voyage searching for a passage to India.

Cristopher Columbus and his world.