"One sun in the sky, one king on Earth!" is the Great Khan's motto. As his power grows, so do the fears of the Jin people. They know that one day he will plunder their glittering city...

Take a breathtaking journey through some of history's most tumultuous periods with the Kingfisher Through Time series. Focusing on one city as the center of important historical events, each title takes readers to the heart of history's most dramatic moments to learn about lifestyles, cultures, beliefs, and changes from the vantage point of a single place.  Detailed artwork and cross sections explore the focal location as it changes over time, while lively text brings its fascinating people and events to life.

Through Time: Beijing follows the history of a great city as it undergoes a succession of transformations. A simple farming community is overshadowed by the expanding city of Zhongdu, which is itself overrun by Mongol invaders. As Mongol rule crumbles, a rebel army invades and begins the famous Ming dynasty. On the site of the Mongol capital, the Ming people create a magnificent palace from where their emperor can rule like a god. It is a place of mystery that no ordinary citizen can enter—the Forbidden City.

From the dust jacket