As spectacular as its creation was, the fall of the Mongol Empire was just as remarkable. Its descent into chaos was signaled by inter-family rebellion across the four khanates established by Genghis Khan. As weaker Mongol leaders struggled to retain control, drought, flood, famine, and the bubonic plague eventually contributed to the collapse of each khanate. As this volume amply demonstrates, though the Mongols were fierce warriors, their legacy...

Contrary to popular portrayal, the Mongols were not simply bloodthirsty barbarians cutting a swath of destruction across the eastern world. They were ruthless in war, but they were also a well-organized military force whose leadership excelled at strategy and military innovation. This examination of Mongol military prowess dives into their greatest conquests across Eurasia, their advances in both military and civilian technology, and their political...