Modern Mongolia: Reclaiming Genghis Khan [Paperback]

Paula L.W. Sabloff (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 9, 2001

Mongolia, a country that evokes romantic curiosity on the part of American readers, has emerged from its former Soviet cocoon. It has achieved independence, democracy, and a twenty-first-century market economy. This book provides factual information about Mongolia and new ways of looking at a historical figure, Genghis Khan, whose ideals of nationhood and democratic principles are in practice now.

Modern Mongolia is unique in providing multiple perspectives—Mongolian and American, scholarly and less formal—about the country's developments in a readable style, richly illustrated with 120 full-color contemporary and archival photographs, both scenic and artifactual.

The first chapter provides an overview of Mongolian geography and history to the twentieth century and the author's personal experience as a teenager during the 1989-90 democratic revolution. Chapter 2, by a Mongolian historian, recounts the exciting changes from Manchu Dynasty feudal society and autonomous theocracy to Communist nationhood and, finally, full independence as a democratic nation. The third chapter, by a cultural historian, describes the effects of historical changes on the daily life of Mongolian nomads—their clothing, family dwellings (gers), and furnishings. Chapter 4, by an American political anthropologist, shows the connection between modern Mongolians' devotion to democracy and the political ideas of Genghis Khan.

Readers of all ages seeking an accessible and picturesque presentation of Mongolian history and society will find Modern Mongolia a fascinating introduction.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Paula L.W. Sabloff, Senior Research Scientist at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology and Adjunct Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania, is a political anthropologist who has conducted research and published on Mexico, the U.S., and Mongolia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 148 pages
• Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (October 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 092417191X
• ISBN-13: 978-0924171918
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #161,090 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #10 in Books > History > Asia > Mongolia

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A slim book with LOTS of heart..., April 14, 2003

By 

Michael Valdivielso (Alexandria, VA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Modern Mongolia: Reclaiming Genghis Khan (Paperback)

Modern Mongolia: Reclaiming Genghis Khan is a lovely book, in four parts,with lots of color pictures. The first part called, 'My Mongolia', tells about Mongolia, the people, places and their history up to the 1900s. The second part, titled 'The Twentieth Century: From Domination to Democracy', tells the story of Mongolia under the China and, later, Russia's control. The third chapter is called 'Deel, Ger and Altar: Continuity and Charge in Mongolian Material Culture' which shows us the changes in what the people used, lived in and wore (sometimes based on what they had and sometimes based on what they were ALLOWED to have). The last part is called 'Genghis Khan, Father of Mongolian Democracy' and shows that, while Mongolians did not have Democracy under Khan, they did have many democratic principles even before Genghis Khan showed up. Under the Khan many of this ideas (rule by law, equality of citizens, participatory government and human rights) were made more powerful by the fact that he united them and made them independent from outside powers. Genghis Khan is a Founding Father ANY nation could be proud of. AT least he had all his teeth and didn't wear a white wig!
The book itself was written by four authors who used a mixture of fact and first person accounts to make a book that you can tell they all enjoyed making. The only thing missing is a copy of the Mongolian constitution. But I did like the beginning of the preamble which they showed in the book:

"We the people of Mongolia...." Always a good start!

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars lots of detail and emotion in this book...a great read, April 20, 2006

By 

N. Richko "tarkin" (the death star) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Modern Mongolia: Reclaiming Genghis Khan (Paperback)

this book on mongolia, is worth it..it takes the reader on a trip to one of the most beautiful countries around...there are lots of detailed information on the culture, people, and lots more..it will give you a education..pick this one up