Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World
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- $14.99
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- $14.99
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
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
A new look at an old story
“Fate did not hand Chinnguis Khan [aka Gengis Khan]his destiny. He made it himself. It seemed highly unlikely that he would have ever had enough horses to create a Spirit Banner, much less that he would follow it all over the world.”
This fascinating overview of the life and times of Gengis Khan is well worth the time to track down and read. Jack Weatherford has presented Khan as a unifier of the scattered Mongols as well as a shaper of his own future. Based upon the divergence of friendship and enmity, Khan developed what we now see as modern warfare techniques and the skelton of a government not see previously . Weatherford contends Gengis Khan May have changed the world, but did not let the world change him, returning to his roots for rest, reflection and recharging.
With each chapter, the author brings us deeper into the life of a man who changed the world to save others from being abused as he was. In this way, he helped to change the aspects and safety of his people far beyond his lifetime. This is a book to read and return to. Highly recommended 5/5
[disclaimer: I read this library ebook after hearing an author I follow talk about it. I have chosen to read and review it, and I hope someday to own a copy]