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He spent time in Mongolia experiencing the life of a steppe nomad while researching Genghis Khan, and after I completed reading this book it was evident that the life and times of Genghis Khan was thoroughly researched and analyzed.The story covered the entire life of Genghis Khan in three parts: the first part describes the time from his birth to his rise as emperor, the second part describes the Mongol World conquests, and the third part focuses on how the Mongolian Dynasty impacted modern society. Although he is much known for the barbaric streak, which is the reason for his rise to be a Mongol leader, he did implement many innovative ideas to enrich and grow his empire. Along the way he also cites primary source references to support his story. Dr. I have always been curious about the person Genghis Khan as a conqueror and an emperor that established trade networks within his empire.
These are some interesting questions and when I saw this book while browsing the bookstore, I had to buy it; I was looking forward to the possibility that the author may answer some of these questions.So I started my journey with Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World written by Jack Weatherford. Furthermore, I found that the author's inclusion of maps throughout the book (before the start of certain chapters), and not just in the beginning of the book made it easier to follow the changing landscape of the Mongolian Empire (without having to flip back to the front of the book) and also the major cities within the empire. There are probably a lot of names you are thinking of, and I am sure that Genghis Khan is at the top of that list or towards to the top. The transition between these sections was fluid and logical.
I gained a good appreciation of the life and times of Genghis Khan. This increased the standard of living throughout the empire. Jack Weatherford is a professor of Anthropology at Macalester College, and he also received an honorary Doctorate degree of Humanities from Chinggis Khaan College in Mongolia. The book was an easy read and I also learned a lot of interesting historical nuggets, which I always enjoy. Their actions cannot be explained according to a specific timetable like the coming and going of so many trains.
Who do you think is the most re-known barbarian in World History. He was a survivor of the Mongolian steppe traditions and this means to overcome many dangerous obstacles, such as defending his life from other potential Mongol warlord leaders. He was not only a survivor; he was successful and made the Mongols a force of their time. For example he established a trading post network throughout the empire, every region of the empire would have to share resources with each other, and the "capital" region would get a form of tax if you want to call it that from all the other regions. At no single, crucial moment in his life did he suddenly acquire his genius at warfare, his ability to inspire the loyalty of his followers, or his unprecedented skill for organizing on a global scale.In each struggle, he combined the new ideas into a constantly changing set of military tactics, strategies, and weapons. Although scholars may designate the beginning and ending of an era with exact precision, great historical events, particularly those that erupt suddenly and violently, build up slowly, and, once having begun, never end. Some questions might be: why is Genghis Khan perceived as a barbarian or what made him do these barbaric acts.
Their efforts linger long after the action faded from view."Overall the book was an easy read and provided good information. The following from the book captures the essence of Genghis Khan concisely:"Genghis Khan's ability to manipulate people and technology represented the experienced knowledge of more than four decades of nearly constant warfare. He never fought the same war twice." The author does answer all the questions I had about Genghis Khan before reading this book and more than that. I wanted to conclude with the following passage from the book, which I thought concisely honed in on the impact of great figures and events is on history:"The great actors of history cannot be neatly tucked between the covers of a book and filed away like so many passed botanical specimens. I would recommend this book to any lover of history and particularly someone that is interested in the history of Genghis Khan.
I missed out on a fascinating story and glad I found this book. It is a mistake we learn in our schools when we are taught history through memorizing dates in a linear fashion. History is not simple. The narrative is written in such a way which the reader understands the socio-economic realities the Mongols lived in, as well as the brutality of how wealth was won.I have never appreciated the genius which was Genghis Kahn, always portrayed as a brute in pop culture and by his enemies. History is alive, it is complex and there are always small events leading up to a big episode. Professor Weatherford's book builds a fascinating story around the many achievements of Genghis Kahn, as well as his military genius and leadership skills.Even though I have heard the name Genghis Kahn before, I've never done much reading on him or the Mongol Empire. Uniting nomad tribes to form a strong Mongolia, organizing armies, creating a working bureaucracy, beginning the concept of diplomatic immunity, understanding economical achievements and even legislating laws which he must also obey (something I cannot say for today's leaders) are part of his little known heritage.The legacy of Genghis Kahn is also a major character in this book. Kahn dies half way through, yet his legacy is what keeps the empire's expansion despite, not because, his sons' role the society he built and left them.Weatherford's book is a wonderful narrative which tackles a complex subject tactfully and with great skill.
The book clearly showed how Genghis Khan's background helped him to emerge as a successful military leader. I thought that the first half, the part about Genghis Khan's life, was nicely written. The beginning of the book gives a very good background on Genghis Kan's childhood, culture, surrounding, and environment. In the introduction to the book, the author, Jack Weatherford, says that the purpose of the book is "to understand Genghis Khan and his impact on world history". Additionally, it took a while getting used to all of the names used throughout the book, and it would have been nice if the author added more maps, as the locations were confusing to follow. It seemed to be divided into two halves - Genghis Khan's life/the rise of the Mongol Empire, and what happened after Genghis Khan's death.
The author also made note of the impact Genghis Khan made on the world; he instituted a system of religious tolerance, introduced paper money, opened trade routes that lead to the exchange of goods and culture, and instigated new military tactics and war strategies.In general, this book was okay.
The author follows the Khan as he, for the first time in history, united the Mongols and created the Mongol Empire.
However, I found the second half to be a pretty slow read.
Jack Weatherford seems to have completed his purpose very well.
It included many interesting facts and details, and provided insight into the both the daily life of the Mongols as well as Genghis Khan's conquests.
The book did an extraordinary job describing the conquests of the Mongols and their war strategies.
After Genghis Khan's death, the book follows the next few generations of Khans, particularly focusing on Kublai Khan, ruler of China.
It also seemed as though the author was biased, and showed few negative sides to the Mongols.
Overall, this book did not impress me much.
The book clearly showed how Genghis Khan's background helped him to emerge as a successful military leader. I thought that the first half, the part about Genghis Khan's life, was nicely written. The beginning of the book gives a very good background on Genghis Kan's childhood, culture, surrounding, and environment. In the introduction to the book, the author, Jack Weatherford, says that the purpose of the book is "to understand Genghis Khan and his impact on world history". Additionally, it took a while getting used to all of the names used throughout the book, and it would have been nice if the author added more maps, as the locations were confusing to follow. It seemed to be divided into two halves - Genghis Khan's life/the rise of the Mongol Empire, and what happened after Genghis Khan's death.
The author also made note of the impact Genghis Khan made on the world; he instituted a system of religious tolerance, introduced paper money, opened trade routes that lead to the exchange of goods and culture, and instigated new military tactics and war strategies.In general, this book was okay.
The author follows the Khan as he, for the first time in history, united the Mongols and created the Mongol Empire.
However, I found the second half to be a pretty slow read.
Jack Weatherford seems to have completed his purpose very well.
It included many interesting facts and details, and provided insight into the both the daily life of the Mongols as well as Genghis Khan's conquests.
The book did an extraordinary job describing the conquests of the Mongols and their war strategies.
After Genghis Khan's death, the book follows the next few generations of Khans, particularly focusing on Kublai Khan, ruler of China.
It also seemed as though the author was biased, and showed few negative sides to the Mongols.
Overall, this book did not impress me much.
Very well researched. Written in a way that tells a fantastic story while providing real historical facts. Read it and be entertained and educated.
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