Eco, Umberto (1932-...), is an Italian philosopher, novelist, and literary critic. His first novel, the medieval mystery story The Name of the Rose (1980), was a worldwide best seller. The novel deals with the nature of truth as seen from the viewpoints of theology, philosophy, history, and scholarship. Its preoccupation with words, symbols, and ideas was further developed in the thriller Foucault's Pendulum (1988). Eco's next novel, Baudolino (2002), is historical fiction. Set in the 1100's, it starts in Europe and ends in East Asia.