Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World by Jack Weatherford – Book

From a Google Image Search – Amazon

I had many Audible credits so one of the books I downloaded was about the Mongols, Genghis Khan, and Kublai Khan. There are many books on this subject. The one I listened to was written by Jack Weatherford, with the title, Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World. The Mongols rose to power under Genghis Khan in the 12th and 13th centuries. His beginnings were not auspicious, but his abilities soon made him a leader. 

The Mongols were herders of horses who worshipped the sky which loomed over the steppes and brought all the weather conditions that must be heeded when you live a nomadic life in homes that can be assembled and disassembled. Like people everywhere Mongols were often jealous of their siblings or neighbors, although they met in kurultai to resolve differences and make decisions.Genghis (which the reader pronounced as “jenghis”) was eventually able to inspire loyalty in most of the Mongol men. They raided into China and came back with beautiful textiles, items fashioned from gold, jewelry, and many luxuries. The spoils of war were distributed to all by Genghis Khan. 

When Genghis was in power the Mongols used their superior war tactics including catapults, trebuchets, and the element of surprise to move into Russia, the Baltics, India, and further into China. The goods they spread from one culture to another brought about “the making of the modern world.”

After Genghis Khan died the Mongols lost their mojo for a while as the power went to men who were too flawed to be good leaders. Eventually Genghis Khan’s grandson, Kublai Khan created another golden age for the Mongols.

The author attributes his facts to the “secret histories” which, although found, proved difficult to translate. The Mongolian alphabet did not use discreet letters for each sound. The Mongols had their days and what days they were. But farming eventually won out over herding as cities proliferated. So, although Mongol culture still exists, the Mongols may have to wait for another age to come back into power. We seem to be in the process of helping to depopulate the world, which could make nomadic life popular once again. It was not an easy life though, especially for women.

Weatherford’s book reinforces the fictional history in Ken Follett’s newest book, Circle of Days. Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World might be a great book to listen to on a long family trip or a lazy summer by the sea while you worship the great blue sky. 

Upon consideration, I need to say that the Mongols helped make modern life by accident, by pulling one culture into another often accompanied by violence, terror, and death. Sadly, powerful men have often been driven to conquest for one reason or another. Genghis Khan killed thousands of people, even though some conquered people became allies. He created an excellent war machine and he did not have a game over button.