An epic account of how a new world order under Tamerlane was born out of the decline of the Mongol Empire By the mid-fourteenth century, the world empire founded by Genghis Khan was in crisis. The Mongol Ilkhanate had ended in Iran and Iraq, China’s Mongol rulers were threatened by the native Ming, and the Golden Horde and the Central Asian Mongols were prey to internal discord. Into this void moved the warlord Tamerlane, the last major conqueror to emerge from Inner Asia. In this authoritative account, Peter Jackson traces Tamerlane’s rise to power against the backdrop of the decline of Mongol rule. Jackson argues that Tamerlane, a keen exponent of Mongol custom and tradition, operated in Genghis Khan’s shadow and took care to draw parallels between himself and his great precursor. But, as a Muslim, Tamerlane drew on Islamic traditions, and his waging of wars in the name of jihad, whether sincere or not, had a more powerful impact than those of any Muslim Mongol ruler before him.

The Lucent Books Exploration and Discovery series offers young readers insight into how humans have expanded their knowledge of the map of the world. Books in this series focus on discoveries in physical geography and the explorers who ventured into unfamiliar territory to map unknown mountains, forests, islands, and deserts. Primary and secondary quotes enliven the text, bringing to life all the adventure and drama of exploration and discovery. Numerous maps and photographs, sidebars, annotated bibliographies, and a chronology of important dates make these books a valuable source of information for students. Book jacket.