Although globalisation is not a phenomenon that is readily associated with the Middle Ages Timothy May makes a strong case for the emergence of a quasi-global system from the early 13th to the mid-14th century . . . Written with both clarity and zest and resting upon a wide range of recent scholarship, this book will be widely welcomed as a contribution to the study of world history. - History TodayThere is much food for thought here . . . an excellent book . . . This is a wonderful book for teaching and for new ideas not the least of its virtues is Mays dry humour, which pops up when least expected. [May] brings us to the forefront of recent research and conjecture . . . this is the book of choice for a course that explores the world that the Mongols helped to make. - Journal of Global HistoryThis volumes primary purpose is to show how the Mongols were a catalyst for change in the first stage of true globalization in human history. Rather than the usual focus on only the negative aspects of the Mongols conquests, May stresses their positive role and contribution to Eurasian history, anayzing the Mongols influence and legacy . . . Both general readers and specialists can benefit from this well-written history. Recommended. - ChoiceMays approach to his material is broad, wide-ranging, often speculative, and very ambitious . . . May has spent years in the classroom honing his talent for making this challenging material interesting to people who know nothing about it . . . He leaves no technical term unexplained no group, person, or place unidentified no theme ignored. In addition he includes the picturesque, gruesome, or even funny details . . . His scope, ambition, and many of his results deserve to be commended. - Journal of World HistoryIn this new and impressive contribution to the fields of Central Asian and world history, Timothy May advocates locating the foundations of the modern world with the Mongol conquests. May is similarly concerned with identifying the lasting legacies of the Mongol Empire, but readers will find this volume to be significantly less biased and more constructive that other recent revisionist efforts . . . a very fine study. - Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African StudiesAs the subject of world history becomes more and more popular, Mays work is an admirable contribution to this field and a necessary guide for teaching and research today. - H-Net