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 Khan.

Steppe Society.

Mongol Religious Beliefs.

The Mongols' Steppe Predecessors.

Asia at the Beginning of the Thirteenth Century.

3. Chingiz Khan and the Founding of the Mongol Empire.

Chingiz Khan's Rise to Power.

Chingiz Khan'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 Khan's Successors.

The Reign of Qubilai.

The Mongols and Buddhism.

Mongol Rule in China.

The Decline of Yuan 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.

Hulegu's Expedition.

The Ilkhans of Persia.

Ghazan and Reform.

The Last Ilkhans.

7. The Mongols and Europe.

Europe and Asia.

The First Direct Contacts.

The Ilkhans 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 Khans.

Yuan Emperors of China.

Khans of the Golden Horde.

Ilkhans of Persia.

Index