James M. Volo

During the rise of feudalism, the best weapon systems of the day had only been available to the select few, usually the lords and knights of the realm who had the income that could support them....

This is the history of an era dominated by militancy: Both warlike and religious, if the two can be separated. The true interest in the centuries of the early Middle Ages lies with the gradual evolution of new forms of military efficiency....

From the forested margins of Poland to the frozen deserts of Mongolia, from the scorching sands of Persia to the numbing wastes of Siberia, the horsemen of the steppes periodically overrode Europe for 900 years, conquered China, and spread their culture to India and the Middle East....