Used book – Matteo Ricci. A Jesuit at the Ming Court, Michela Fontana, Marianne Bastid-Bruguière

THE POLITICAL BIOGRAPHY GRAND PRIZE The Jesuit Matteo Ricci (1552-1610), still celebrated today as a symbol of the encounter between two ancient civilizations, was the first European to reside long-term (1582-1610) in the Middle Kingdom under the Ming Dynasty. He defined the approach of inculturation of the Christian religion in China. In this comprehensive and documented biography, based on the narrative and letters written by Li Madou (the name given to him by the Chinese), M. Fontana recounts the rich and captivating adventure led by a multifaceted man, marked by missionary faith, a love of science, and astonishing intellectual curiosity. Readers will undoubtedly be surprised to see how Matteo Ricci's observations provide a key to understanding contemporary China as well as the differences between East and West. The volume includes 18 chapters, a chronology, a glossary, and a color photo section. AUTHOR Michela Fontana, a teacher, has turned to science popularization. A journalist for La Stampa and Panorama, she lived in China for several years.