Part of the Historical Dictionaries of Ancient Civilizations and Historical Eras series from Rowman & Littlefield, this second edition (see ARBA 2004, entry 462) focuses on one of the greatest empires in history, the Mongols. Besides the dictionary, which is a major accomplishment in itself, there is much here that makes it a unique reference work. Starting with the maps, dates of Chinese dynasties and states, and chronology, the introduction features seven essays on various dynasties and their accomplishments and rulers during the Mongol Empire: Mongolia before the Empire (to 1206), the Mongol Empire (1206-1260), Qanate China (1260-1368), The Golden Horde (1235-1502), Ca'adai Ulus and Qaidu (1260-1338), Ilqanate (1260-1356), and Epilogue: Mongols and the outside world. Three appendixes feature the Mongolian scripts, a glossary of Mongolian words and terms, and selected recipes from the Yinshan Zhengyao (1330). The extensive bibliography that is a feature of this series that never fails to impress. This book should be a valuable resource for any academic institution's reference shelf.—Bradford Lee Eden

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