Although he arose out of the ancient tribal past, Genghis Khan shaped the modern world of commerce, communication, and large secular states more than any other individual. He was the thoroughly modern man in his mobilized and professional warfare and in his commitment to global commerce and the rule of international secular law.
Yes, Genghis was a ruthless conqueror who killed large numbers of people and destroyed cities and cultures. Put in the context of history, this book does a very good job of looking at the great Khan in perspective. The book is well written and researched. It is a fascinating tale about a most interesting time and one of histories most powerful an influential individuals.
The book covers more than just the life of Genghis. He actually dies in the first half of the book. The story is more about his legacy and influence than the individual. The ancestors of Genghis continued to rule and affect the world long after his death. I enjoyed the author's ability to weave personal story-lines with vast military expeditions and cultural changes. While there is a total disregard for human life in the conquering, there is also an amazing ability to build an empire. The details of the Mongols' military genius are written in an interesting way for those like myself who don't have an over-riding interest in military power.
No comments:
Post a Comment