In another grand mythical epic, Eco transports readers to the medieval Italy of The Name of the Rose (though almost two centuries earlier), where Frederick Barbarossa seeks to establish himself as the Holy Roman emperor. The story begins in 1204, as the Byzantium capital of Constantinople is sacked and "Baudolino", the adoptive son of Frederick, recounts his life to Byzantine historian Niketas, whom he has just saved from the barbaric Latins. Unfolding amid religious conspiracy theories and mysticism, the narrative, which builds slowly, follows the life of "Baudolino", an Italian peasant boy who fabricates stories he realizes people want to believe in. While studying in Paris, "Baudolino" meets several friends from all over the world, who together divulge their intimate dreams and share their desire to discover distant places. Two decades later, "Baudolino" calls together his friends to embark on what will be a lifelong journey to find Prester John, the Christian priest of the East,...