The Mongols

The Mongol Empire was the largest continuous land empire known to history, its violent creation the major political event of the thirteenth century world. Yet little is known the history of Christendom′s most formidable eastern neighbour. In this classic history, David Morgan explains how the vast Mongolian Empire was organized and governed, examining the religious and political character of the steppe nomadic society. He assesses the astonishing military career of Chingiz (Genghis) Khan, considers the nature of Mongol imperial government, and the effects of Mongol campaigns on the countries and peoples they conquered in China, Russia, Persia and Europe. His narrative extends to the collapse of the Empire and the formation of a People’s Republic as a Russian satellite state. For this second edition, the author provides a new epilogue assessing the contribution of recent scholarship to our understanding of the Mongols′ history, and updating his own interpretations in light of those advances. This new chapter, together with an updated bibliography, will refresh the book for a new generation of readers.

List of Maps and Illustrations. Preface to the Second Edition. Preface to the Paperback Edition. Preface to the First Edition. Maps. Introduction. 1. The Study of Mongol History. The Secret History of the Mongols. Chinese Sources. Persian Sources. European Sources. Modern Studies. 2. Nomads of the Steppe: Asia before Chingiz Khān. Steppe Society. Mongol Religious Beliefs. The Mongols’ Steppe Predecessors. Asia at the Beginning of the Thirteenth Century. 3. Chingiz Khān and the Founding of the Mongol Empire. Chingiz Khān’s Rise to Power. Chingiz Khān’s Campaigns of Conquest. The Effects of the Mongol Conquests. 4. Nature and Institutions of the Mongol Empire. The Mongol Army. Law. Taxation. Communications. The Mongol Approach to Government. 5. The Mongols in China. Chingiz Khān’s Successors. The Reign of Qubilai. The Mongols and Buddhism. Mongol Rule in China. The Decline of Yüan Power. 6. Expansion to the West: The Mongols in Russia and Persia. The Invasion of Russia and Eastern Europe. The Golden Horde. The Mongols and the Middle East. Hülegü’s Expedition. The Īlkhāns of Persia. Ghazan and Reform. The Last Īlkhāns. 7. The Mongols and Europe. Europe and Asia. The First Direct Contacts. The Īlkhāns and Western Christendom. Eastern Images of Europe. The Mongol Legacy. 8. What Became of the Mongols?. 9. The Mongol Empire since 1985. Sources. Studies. References. Supplementary Bibliography. Chronology of Events. Dynastic Tables. The Great Khāns. Yüan Emperors of China. Khāns of the Golden Horde. Īlkhāns of Persia. Index

David Morgan is Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He was previously Reader in the History of the Middle East at SOAS, London.

“The remarkable success of David Morgan′s book on the Mongols is partly a reflection of the persistent interest in the Mongol phenomenon … and partly on the skill, humour, and authority that he brings to bear on the subject. An attractive and useful re–edition of an excellent textbook, which beneath its accessible and engaging manner contains a wide–ranging account of the Mongol empire and thorough exposition of the issues being addressed in current research.” International History Review <!––end––> "The second edition of The Mongols remains the standard work on the Mongols. With the additional chapter and bibliography it is unlikely to be superseded in the near future and will be a useful reference to any scholar." H–Net Reviews "I have used this book continually for many years as one of the central textbooks for my courses on Mongols and related subjects and will do so with the new edition. The Mongols has a nice mixture of narrative chapters and those devotes to themes … provide a chronological framework … and in–depth discussion." Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies Praise for the previous edition: "Well–written, well–documented presentation, with an excellent – exceptionally accurate – bibliography. I know of no better book to give a general view of the ′great′ epoch of Mongol History." English Historical Review "The appearance of a new, well–done general history is a welcome event. The outcome is an excellent and readable account." Middle East Studies Association Bulletin "Excellent work, the best that we have of its kind." Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society