Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World
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4.4 • 356 Ratings
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- $7.99
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The startling true history of how one extraordinary man from a remote corner of the world created an empire that led the world into the modern age—by the author featured in Echoes of the Empire: Beyond Genghis Khan.
The Mongol army led by Genghis Khan subjugated more lands and people in twenty-five years than the Romans did in four hundred. In nearly every country the Mongols conquered, they brought an unprecedented rise in cultural communication, expanded trade, and a blossoming of civilization. Vastly more progressive than his European or Asian counterparts, Genghis Khan abolished torture, granted universal religious freedom, and smashed feudal systems of aristocratic privilege.
From the story of his rise through the tribal culture to the explosion of civilization that the Mongol Empire unleashed, this brilliant work of revisionist history is nothing less than the epic story of how the modern world was made.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Apart from its inapt title Genghis Khan dies rather early on in this account and many of the battles are led by his numerous offspring this book is a successful account of the century of turmoil brought to the world by a then little-known nation of itinerant hunters. In researching this book, Weatherford (Savages and Civilization), a professor of anthropology at Macalaster College, traveled thousands of miles, many on horseback, tracing Genghis Khan's steps into places unseen by Westerners since the khan's death and employing what he calls an "archeology of movement." Weatherford knows the story of the medieval Mongol conquests is gripping enough not to need superfluous embellishments the personalities and the wars they waged provide plenty of color and suspense. In just 25 years, in a manner that inspired the blitzkrieg, the Mongols conquered more lands and people than the Romans had in over 400 years. Without pausing for too many digressions, Weatherford's brisk description of the Mongol military campaign and its revolutionary aspects analyzes the rout of imperial China, a siege of Baghdad and the razing of numerous European castles. On a smaller scale, Weatherford also devotes much attention to dismantling our notions of Genghis Khan as a brute. By his telling, the great general was a secular but faithful Christian, a progressive free trader, a regretful failed parent and a loving if polygamous husband. With appreciative descriptions of the sometimes tender tyrant, this chronicle supplies just enough personal and world history to satisfy any reader.
Customer Reviews
Like surprise
Knew of mongols and their conquers of many nations and how merciless they were during war, but never knew how much they have positively changed the world. Seems all conquered nations , Europeans and Arabs and Chinese , have grudgingly needed to shame and degrade the mongols legacy as a way of taking revenge very late in history. History is full of lies and manipulation, we need always not to trust one source and always have our critical thinking and be suspiciousness ready. Mainly because fabricated history and manufactured ideology can lead to catastrophic consequences. I think I will go for the author next book. Also, I really liked his interview with Lex.
Superb
Fantastic book, well researched rich history
Concise but thorough and very interesting
Articulate with keen observations littered throughout - very accessible and not academic and made to be both educational and entertaining - not in the least bit dry. Truly is comprehensive in its scope and evaluations on both historic and modern society and what we have to thank the mongols for - I strongly encourage you to read this book