From the vast empire Mongolians built after Ghenghis Khan united them in the 13th century- which at its height stretched from the pacific Ocean to the Black Sea- to periods under Chinese and then Soviet control to today when the Buddhist traditions that were once repressed are flourishing and the country is struggling to implement economic reforms. This book explores the history and lifestyle of a society that has long fascinated the Western world. It offers a study of various political, economic, social, and cultural changes Mongolians have endured over the past 800 years. A resource for bothe studenst and general readers.