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“Had been searching for a good historical account of Genghis Khan and the Mongul Empire and finally found one. Interesting and enjoyable (if you are a history nerd).”
Russ wrote this review 11 hours ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Excellent. Absolutely excellent. Riveting, thought provoking, and unbelievable from cover to cover.”
Andrew M wrote this review Monday, April 15, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This made a good end cap to my mongol readings this year. the author provides a compelling revisionist case to the good the mongols did, that the scope of their rampage has been wildly over done. Weatherford makes a compelling case that some of the wilder numbers cited for dead due to the Mongols are impossible. The towns in question did not have that many people to start. Weatherford notes that the mongols normally just eliminated the elites who might try and regain their status.
Andrew T wrote this review Monday, April 1, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
”“To have read this book while also reading the book "Empire or the Summer Moon" was truly a joy. Both the Mongols in the early 1200s and the Comanche's in the 1850s used the mobility of horses to such a distinct advantage over their enemies. Khan, and his descendants, ruled a world from the Mediterranean Sea to the Pacific Ocean, from Siberia to SE Asia and India -- an unbelievable territory. They conquered all religions and yet permitted all religions within their realm. Very well documented with new information!”
Big Ol' Bee wrote this review Wednesday, March 13, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Read this from Audible.com Facinating book on the history of the mongul empire and the impact they had on today's world. ”
mpcoyne4 wrote this review Monday, February 25, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I have been fascinated by the life and times of Genghis Khan and have read a couple of other books before this gem from Jack Weatherford. Jack stays clear of myths around Genghis' life and presents an authoritarian account of this under-acknowledged titan who shaped the modern world. Learning from his early life experiences, Genghis put in practice a series of "Management" practices that helped him conquer most of the civilized world of his time. In modern terms his reign extended 30 countries with a population of over 3 Billion. Some of the "Management" practices as I understand are as follows: 1. Superior Management Team: Genghis choose meritocracy and loyalty over aristocracy. Cooks, cowherds could become generals in his army. Result: He had the strongest and the most successful kingdoms of any age. 2. Decentralized Organization Structure: Genghis mobilized his army into units of 10 and each unit was self contained. Result: The Army could move fast and it took his adversaries by surprise. 3. Strong Communication Channel: Genghis had to foresight to establish "post offices" that were managed locally. Result: This along with signals perfected during his life in the steppes allowed him to keep the information flow smooth. 4. Emphasis on learning and continuous improvement: Genghis learned from his life in the steppes and various expeditions and included in his arsenal weapons and skills that he had seen his adversaries use against him. Result: He had the most efficient army of period 5. Just Compensation: Genghis dispensed with the practice of hoarding spoils of war centrally. He instituted practices to distribute the gains of war justly among his troops. Result: His troops were staunchly loyal. 6. No Discrimination Policy: During his time, Genghis allowed total religious freedom. Shamans, Muslims, Christians, Hindus and Buddhists could practice their religion without fear. 7. Growing through alliances: Genghis was a master at building alliances. Result: This allowed him to expand his domain. Jack masterful presentation has but one minor flaw. It has no illustrations or pictures except for a few maps and one "family tree". ”
Anand Natarajan wrote this review Saturday, February 9, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Not quite finished but have enjoyed a great deal. So many assumptions out there about GK that are exaggerations. He was a ruthless leader in a brutal time. But wow, what an intelligent leader who brought together vast areas and #s of people under his regime in a surprizingly open society (any religion acceptable, as long as GK is your leader.)
Courtney wrote this review Tuesday, January 29, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Author clearly loves his subject and may be at times a bit too complimentary of GK. But to finally have some research on this historical figure is really exciting.
I like to mix a little history between my fiction, and if you do as well, this was facinating.”“Continuing my Central Asia/Siberia journey. GK, misunderstood, not the bad guy the MSM media makes him out to be.”
BrianWQ wrote this review Saturday, January 26, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Great insights into human behavior, hierarchy and innovation. ”
Ron Guilbault wrote this review Friday, March 1, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Jack Weatherford has produced a real winner in this 2004 book. Contrary to the traditional view of Genghis Khan as a barbaric and merciless tyrant, the author presents this enigmatic leader from Mongolia as a highly adaptive and tolerant leader of the many ethnic groups in his empire, and a highly intelligent historical figure who anticipated the enormous military and economic value of speed and mobility. And fast and mobile the Mongols definitely were: in 25 years, they subjugated more lands and people than the Roman Empire had acquired in 400 years. The great Khan was also more progressive than many of his contemporaries from Asia or Europe. For example, he abolished torture, granted universal religious freedom, and eliminated aristocratic privileges. And in his conquered lands, there was an unprecedented rise in communications and trade. Further, by extending the Mongol empire from the East China Sea right up to the battlements of Vienna, Khan and his descendants created the land-based lines of communications and commerce by which Europe would eventually gain the knowledge and goods required to emerge from the Dark Ages. These travels to the East were later made famous by the tales of Marco Polo, who served in the court of Kublai Khan, the grandson of Genghis Khan and the ruler of China. But, on a more sobering note, these same lines of commerce and trade also served as the direct paths by which the Black Death was passed from Asia to Europe in the 14th Century. And this devastating pandemic--estimated to have reduced the populations of China by half and Europe by a third--also coincided with the decline of the great Mongol Empire. There is much more to this book than I can summarize here. But I will say that it makes a very excellent read. I definitely recommend.”
Hayes Randolph wrote this review Tuesday, January 22, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
