Genghis Khan: Conqueror of the World [Paperback]

Leo de Hartog (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1860649726 | ISBN-13: 978-1860649721 | Publication Date: January 17, 2004

Genghis Khan's armies breached the Great Wall of China, captured Beijing, and crushed all resistance in Afghanistan, Persia and Southern Russia by ruthless massacres and pillage. His armies also invaded Europe. Yet until now no historically reliable book about him has been written for a popular audience. This book analyses how Genghis Khan was able to unite the primitive Mongol tribes of the harsh Siberian steppes and organize them into highly mobile and disciplined troops. It shows how he created a regime so strong that his son was able to extend the conquests after the death of Genghis Khan himself. Leo de Hartog pays particular attention to the little-studied Mongol invasion of Europe and explores Europe's contacts with the great Khan.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Genghis Khan was the first in history to unite the various Central Asian tribes into a single Mongol nation and then set in motion the creation of the largest single empire the world has ever known. As such, he deserves better treatment than is usually accorded him by Hollywood and popular writers who inevitably dwell on Mongol savagery. De Hartog has written a scholarly study, impressively grounded in a rich variety of sources drawn from many countries. Unfortunately, however, the author's style (at least in translation) does not match his erudition. The reader is drowned in detail and proper names which will be unfamiliar to all but the most dedicated Mongol historian. This book does not replace Rene Grousset's classic Conqueror of the World: The Life of Chingis-Khan (LJ 11/15/66).
- John Boyle, California State Univ., Chico
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"...a welcome paperback edition of his classic account of the Mongol warlord." -David Seymour, Miltary Illustrated

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Tauris Parke Paperbacks (January 17, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1860649726
• ISBN-13: 978-1860649721
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #317,643 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #17 in Books > History > Asia > Mongolia

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Quite good, October 9, 2000

By 

Mnexux (Reading, MI, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Genghis Khan: Conqueror of the World (Paperback)

This is quite a good book overall. It is easy to follow and understand. If you are looking for a book on Genghis Khan's early life, I would not suggest this book, though. It basically starts at Genghis's conquering. The author talks more about the Khwarazm empire then I think is necessary, but it is interesting in its own way. Also, the book dedicates more on Ogodei than the title suggests.

This book is very informative of the battles and reasons for the battles of Genghis Khan. If you are looking for a book on the military campaigns of Genghis Khan, I would definately suggest this book.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Much-Need Book on Genghis Khan, December 8, 2005

By 

not4prophet (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Genghis Khan: Conqueror of the World (Paperback)

Genghis Khan was more than a punchlune and formula villain. After spending his first forty years uniting the Mongols, he swept across Asia, toppling large portions of Chinese and Muslim civilization. His followers even invaded Europe and almost reached Italy. He built an empire that allowed trade across Asia at unprecedented levels, with concurrent exchanges of art, philosophy and idea. Yet despite these achievements, modern historians generally give him short shift. Supposedly "World History" classes barely mention Genghis Khan's life. It's as if, from our pedestal atop millenia of modern civilization, we're still a bit frightened by the fact that this horsemilk-drinking barbarian almost overran the entirety of the world's major civilizations.

Leo de Hartog tries to fill this gap with a popular history. Short but thorough, he starts off with an appropriately brief ten-page look at life among the Mongol tribes. Then we learn the meager facts about Genghis Khan's early life, and his fight to unite the Mongols. The bulk of the book covers the invasions of China and Persia, followed by Ogodei's rein and the attack through Russia into central Europe. Hartog spends considerable space of Genghis Khan's personality, analyzing what made him effective as a leader.

On the whole, Hartog has written an effective history. He's thorough, covering the invasions in great detail. He openly admits that parts of the story are not backed by good historical sources, and that ambiguity exists. At the micro level, however, "Genghis Khan: Conqueror of the World" is fairly mediocre. The translator has created sentences that are too words and awkward, word choice is sometimes off, and long lists of people and cities are presented without adequate explanation. Also, I would imagine that most Americans, like myself, know fairly little about the geography of Asia. The small maps at the back aren't enough to make up for this shortfall.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great story, great writing, January 18, 2000

By 

David Orr "civix" (Boston, United States (Example shows city and country)) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Genghis Khan: Conqueror of the World (Hardcover)

Read this book. I read the hardcover in case you are wondering why I am commenting on a book that is not out yet. I got this book out of a whim, not really knowing much about Genghis Khan. Wow, what a story. Could not put it down. Reads like a real nail-biting novel. They should definitely make a move from this book.