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 of the history of Christendom's most formidable and dangerous eastern neighbour. This up–to–date chronicle benefits from new discoveries and a broad range of source material. David Morgan explains how the vast Mongolian Empire was organized and governed, examing the religious and policital 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. Dr Morgan extends his narrative through the collapse of the empire and the formation of a People's Republic as a Russian satellite.