Genghis Khan And The Making Of The Modern World by Jack Weatherford

Who is this man whose name has echoed down the centuries?  Born in the early 1200's as an illiterate, poverty-stricken son of a herdsman, he rose to rule his people and conquer much of the known world.  Khan rose to power within his tribe by killing his half-brother and then finding ways to curry favor with those in power while retreating and hiding from his enemies.  He learned to build alliances and play the political games necessary.

Once he commanded troops, his fame was assured.  Khan was innovative, learning something from every battle.  He adopted methods that worked for his enemies and perfected them.  His fighting men were fast and could move like the wind, rather than being bogged down dependant on supply lines.  This speed allowed him to quickly arrive before enemies could muster their strength and plans of attack.  In victory, he was adamant.  Those he conquered could join him and he took them into his empire and made them equal to his own tribesmen.  Those who opposed him were killed.   These tactics allowed him to quickly conquer and build the mightiest empire seen in years.

But lives were short and what set him apart is that he was so powerful and his ideas so revolutionary that his successors were able to maintain and extend his empire after he was gone.  His grandson, Kublai Khan, managed to conquer China.  Everywhere the Mongols ruled, they integrated cultures; taking the best of each encountered.  They valued learning and skills, trade and laws.  The culture was not cruel for cruelty's sake as so many medieval cultures of other countries were. 

Jack Weatherford has written an engaging history of Genghis Khan and his contributions.  Khan has retained his fascination for us down through the centuries and there is much to study and admire in this man lost in the shadows of time.  This book is recommended for nonfiction history readers.