George Lane (1)

I'm working on a Mongol-related novel, and I picked up a used copy of this for cheap for research sake. It certainly fit the bill. George Lane has written an excellent reference source, complete with a chronology, a glossary of Mongolian terms and a list of historical personages. Moreover, it's great for the minutia of the empire period – where most books focus on Genghis [Chinggis], his childhood, conquests, and the mystery of his death/burial, or on Kublai [Qubilai] and his conquest of China, this gets into the minor details that I needed for my research: the clothing, the roles of women, the relationship to alcohol, and some important details on the Mongol religion.

Which is not to say there's no history in this book. It's in there, though it's often elaborated on only in regards to the topic at hand. There are little tidbits regarding, for example, Kaidu [Qaidu], Sorghaghtani, and little bits on Berke and Öljeitü.

There are twelve chapters in this book, each dealing with a different topic:
1)Historical Overview: Genghis Khan and the Mongol Horde
2)Steppe Life
3)Appearance
4)Dwellings
5)The Army
6)Health and Medicine
7)Drinking and the Mongols
8)Food
9)Religion and the Mongols
10)Law and Mongol Rule
11)Women and the Mongols
12)Folktales from Mongolia

George Lane knows his stuff. This is an excellent reference guide.… (mere)