Full Text Review(s)
[ Elizabeth I and Tudor England; Isabel, Ferdinand and Fifteenth-Century Spain ]-"Each of these lively series additions is divided into three distinct sections. The first presents biographical information on the ruler while the second offers information about the everyday lives of the people living under their rule. Government, housing, education, clothing, food, and festivals are among the topics covered. Final chapters offer a selection of excerpts from original documents of the period including letters, diary entries, poems, and manuscripts. The quality illustrations in both volumes include a map and color reproductions of paintings. Although captioned, few of the pictures are attributed. These well-researched books will make excellent choices for accessible surveys of the rulers, their reigns, and their times, and will be useful in most collections."

[ Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire ]-"This attractively illustrated, well-written book blends information about the khan's early life, family, rise to power, and qualities that made him a successful ruler with descriptions of the Mongols' everyday life and excerpts from their folklore. The author describes the positive aspects of the conqueror's leadership abilities and the merciless acts perpetrated by him and his warriors. The text is lively and descriptive, and colorful illustrations include reproductions of early works of art that depict the khan and scenes from Mongol life. Another useful title for reports is Robert Taylor's Life in Genghis Khan's Mongolia (Lucent, 2001).