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"Called Million"

Posted by R. Berg on August 27, 2003

In Reply to: Say a bit of "Called Million, Wherein is Recounted the Wonders of the World" please? posted by Bob on August 27, 2003

: : : : Did you know this book of Macro, "The book of Marco Polo, Citizen of Venice, Called Million, Wherein is Recounted the Wonders of the World"?

: : : : The title is so long! And could you know how to explain "Called Million, Wherein is Recounted the Wonders of the World"?

: : : : Another question:
: : : : "Marco Polo made progress in the Khan Kublai's favor; he studied Mongol language and was entrusted by the emperor with various missions to parts of the realm."

: : :
: : : : why we cannot use "was charged by the emperor with" here?

: : : I don't see why not. Or "was sent by the emperor on various missions to parts of the realm."

: : : Why were titles so long? Was it part of marketing strategy in those days before mass media?

: Many non-fiction books today use long titles, too, but normally broken into a title, and a sub-title which hopes to tease buyers with a taste of the contents.

: I see a difference between "entrusted" with missions (because the emperor trusted him) and "charged" (because the emperor ordered him or directed him. It's a small difference, but Marco wanted to emphasize how close he had become to Kubla Kahn, earning his trust. (Helps sell books.)

On "marketing strategy":

I believe sphinx is right. A title like that is an advertisement for the book.

It was a more leisurely age, at least for the upper class, who bought books. People today are in a hurry. They won't stay to read a title that doesn't deliver its message at a glance.

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