Summary
Under the leadership of Chinggis Khan and his descendants in the 13th century, the Mongols quickly built an empire that stretched from Korea to eastern Europe—the largest continuous area of land ever controlled by one ruling family. The rise of the Mongols marked the last major clash between nomadic and sedentary cultures. They united Eurasia in a truly international trading system, encouraged new forms of communication, and demonstrated the value of religious tolerance at a time when religious differences often led to wars. Empire of the Mongols, Revised Edition details how the Mongols were able to sweep so swiftly and so effectively across the Asian steppes and establish a great empire—and why, ultimately, it was an empire they could not control. A fascinating look into daily life explains what they ate, how they dressed, how they raised their children, and what they believed. Connections in our own world to the Mongols include military tactics that are still used today, words such as czar and horde, and the enduring myths of Chinggis Khan, Kubilai Khan, and Tamerlane, which have fired imaginations for centuries.
Specifications
Full-color photographs and illustrations. Maps. Sidebars. Glossary. Bibliography. Chronology. Further resources. Index.
About the Author(s)
Michael Burgan has written more than 200 books, including Buddhist Faith in America for Chelsea House, Cold War, and Colonial and Revolutionary Times. He has also written biographies of former secretary of state Madeleine Albright, astronaut John Glenn, various U.S. presidents, and several scientists and explorers.