While the early history of the steppe nomads is shrouded in obscurity, this obscurity lifts somewhat after their contact with cultures possessing written histories. But even when information about them becomes relatively more plentiful, linguistic ocmplexities make its interpretation extremely difficult. Thus, while the number of specialized studies devoted to them is impressive, general works embracing the many disciplines involved, or syntheses on a grand scale encompassing the sprawling history of these peoples, are exceedingly scarce. Among these very few, The Empire of the Steppes is outstanding. The aim of this first English-language edition has been to make available a major work useful to the general reader as well as to the specialist, above all an edition which retains the majestic sweep and grandeur, as well as the overriding intellectual grasp, of Grousset's original.
Hailed as a masterpiece when first published in 1939, this great work of synthesis rapidly became indispensable to scholars fluent in French. Now, after a decade of preparation, this unique history of Central Asia is available in English, in a felicitous translation by Naomi Walford from the 1952 French edition, the last published in Grousset's lifetime. Nineteen maps have been expressly prepared for the Rutgers edition, and a comprehensive 54-page index has been added. In addition, specialists have checked the text, notes, and bibliographical references to bring this vast work into conformity with present-day academic standards.
