His grandfather was the bloodthirsty Mongol leader Genghis Khan, his mother a Christian princess. Groomed from childhood for a position of authority, Khubilai snatched the position of Great Khan, becoming the overlord of a Mongol federation that stretched from the Balkans to the Korean coastline. His armies conquered the Asian kingdom of Dali and brought down the last defenders of imperial China. Khubilai Khan presided over a glorious Asian renaissance, attracting emissaries from all across the continent, and opening his civil service to 'men with coloured eyes' - administrators from the far west. His life and times encompassed the legends of Prester John, the pinnacle of the samurai (and, indeed, the Mongols), and the travels of Marco Polo.

Founder of China's Yuan dynasty, legendary resident of Xanadu and rebuilder of medieval Beijing

About the Author
Jonathan Clements is the author of many books on East Asian history, including biographies of Empress Wu, Admiral Togo, the statesman Prince Saionji and Coxinga, the Japanese-born 'pirate king'. He divides his time between London, England and Jyvaskyla, Finland, and his website is www.muramasaindustries.com.


Book Information
ISBN 9781849013376
Author Jonathan Clements
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint Robinson Publishing
Publisher Little, Brown Book Group
Weight(grams) 226g
Dimensions(mm) 197mm * 131mm * 18mm