sentences:  The preface to the American edition of the book (2000) and its introduction describe the controversy and defend the authenticity of the manuscript.In June 2001, he was awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic by president Carlo Azeglio Ciampi.Roz Kaveny, reviewing the book in "New Statesman" noted that "By coincidence, much of what Jacob d'Ancona dislikes in 13th-century China is what David Selbourne dislikes in late-20th century Britain" and thought that she recognised in the dialectical principles with which d'Ancona controverts his ideological opponents close parallels with Selbourne's own rhetorical techniques.