Starting with eyewitness accounts of the arrival of the Mongol armies at unsuspecting cities across Eurasia, Professor Benjamin launches his survey of the Mongol Empire; he sketches the history of civilizations destined to be ruled by the Mongols.

Using a big history angle to understand the origin of militarized nomadism in the pastoral culture that develops on the grasslands of Eurasia; the paradox of nomadic empires that rarely build cities, yet still interact with the great civilizations.

Learning about the one who establishes the Mongol Empire in the 13th century, Chinggis Khan; previous Mongolian-centered empires establish a template that is perfected by Chinggis; tracing the precursors to Turkic rulers in the 7th and 8th centuries.

Drawing on "The Secret History of the Mongols", charting the rise of a minor Mongol chief's obscure son who earns the title of the universal ruler; his martial daring and hairbreadth escapes have all the drama of a Hollywood epic; Borte is his lover.

Having consolidated his power over the Mongol tribes, Chinggis Khan has to decide how to save his unbeatable army; reviewing the geopolitical situation in inner Eurasia at the time; following Chinggis's forces on their campaigns outside of Mongolia.

Spotlighting three innovations introduced by Chinggis Khan to unify and modernize the Mongol state, from his reorganization of the Mongol society to taxation reforms and the creation of a new law code, the Great Yasa, which includes injunctions.