A specialist in Islamic history, Lane (history, U. of London) spent 20 years working and traveling in the Middle East and Far East. In this text, he identifies the rise to power of Genghis Khan and his unification of the Mongol tribes in the 13th century as a kind of globalization with political, cultural, economic, mercantile, and spiritual effects. Typically presented as "barbarian destruction," these 13th-century developments are examined here as positive events that initiated two centuries of regeneration and creativity. The text includes a chronological timeline; maps; biographies of 16 important political figures, including Marco Polo; translations of 21 primary documents; a glossary of key terms; and an annotated bibliography. Academic but accessible to the general reader. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)