This is the fourth novel by Umberto Eco, author of the bestsellers "The Name of the Rose" and "Foucault's Pendulum." It is the life story of Baudolino, a simple peasant gifted with the ability to instantly learn any language and a talent for storytelling. When he charms Emperor Frederick Barbarossa with his wit, the German ruler adopts him and sends him to Paris. There Baudolino finds friends, and they set off to search for the kingdom of Prester John, the mysterious ruler of the mythical lands of the East. On this journey, Baudolino must unravel the secrets of the Magi, find the Holy Grail, and encounter amazing beings: eunuchs, unicorns, men without necks with eyes on their shoulders, and beautiful maidens. In this historical novel with elements of detective story, Umberto Eco once again demonstrates his unmatched storytelling skill. As in "The Name of the Rose," the Middle Ages and the present closely intertwine and create a marvelous multicolored panorama, where the unthinkable combines, and even history itself becomes a toy in the hands of the tireless storyteller and joker Baudolino, or perhaps Eco himself.