Diane Wolff

Russian history is strangely silent on the subject of the conquest of Russia by the Mongol Empire. This book reveals the true story and the reason why Russian history is silent. It is the story of Batu Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan, who plotted with Genghis Khan's favorite daughter-in-law, the Princess Sorghagtani, to put her sons on the throne.

Why would a man born to the horse take to the sea? Why did the boy Shogun refuse to submit to the man who unified China? Why did Khubilai Khan become obsessed with forcing the submission of Japan?

Genghis Khan conquers China and recruits a grand courtier from the imperial court to form his government. The Mongols knew nothing of governing. Genghis Khan needed a man of education and of experience, a professional statesman, to advise him on the art of governing the most advanced civilization in the world. This is the story of the relationship between these two remarkable personalities, the military genius and the brilliant statesman.

Why did the Mongol Emperor give Orders of Submission to the Caliph of Baghdad? This volume reconstructs the story from the contemporary Muslim historians Juvaini and Rashid al-Din.

Princess Sorghagtani was the most remarkable woman of her age. She was well-connected and well-respected. She had watched her father-in-law build the empire. She was not about to let the house of Ogodei destroy it. Her story illuminates one of the most brilliant political careers of all time. This is Game of Thrones in Asia, only the story is for real.

Why was Marco Polo called a liar by the citizens of Venice when he returned after his stay of almost two decades at the court of Khubilai Khan?

How to look at the Chinese language. How to make sense of it. How to understand the styles of Chinese calligraphy. Illustrated with photos of masterpieces of calligraphy in the four styles. Photos: collection C. C. Wang, modern Chinese painting master. Winner of the American Library Associations Most Notable Book Award in the year of its publication.