Genghis Khan, merciless ruler and military genius, gets arm-length treatment in this functional full-length biography. His battle tactics and administrative techniques are well described, but the absence of detailed maps frequently makes the narrative confusing; historical references are not always followed up, and the author never comes to grips with Khan's character. The result is a sketchy, dispirited account that supplements the Lamb factually and is less fictionalized--making it the obvious choice for older children--but lacks the latter's gusto.