The Mongol Art of War [Import] [Hardcover]

Timothy May (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Pen & Sword (2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1844154769
• ISBN-13: 978-1844154760
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,524,473 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rekindles Interest - The Art of War Mongolian Style, September 28, 2007

By 

James Neville (Katy (Houston), TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Mongol Art of War (Hardcover)

This is a readable and well-researched book. It moves fast and is rich with facts. I even enjoyed reading the chapter notes in the back.

"The Mongol Art of War" covers the years 1185-1265 and the leaders Chinggis (Genghis) Kahn through Khubilai (Kubla) Kahn. In all it took the empire only 80 years to conquer a vast range from Mongolia and China in the East to Russia and Persia in the West. Along the way the Mongols mastered the art of Steppe warfare including discipline and logistics, and showed a willingness to adapt and learn from their enemies including how to conduct siege warfare. The book includes a thought provoking discussion of similarity of Mongolian war tactics with war tactics in World War II especially Blitzkrieg.

Timothy May's passion for the Mongol war machine makes the book factual and fast-paced. He tells the 'bottom line' of Mongol rise and expansion in the first chapter, then explains the details of how they did it in the remaining eight.

This history is a surprising illustration that turns the tables on thinking of Mongols as uneducated barbarians. They had the ability to master themselves and logistics, and then to further learn and adapt from their campaign experiences. They were masters of communication, espionage and (where needed) deceit. These were some of the real reasons behind their empire's success.

I find it thought provoking to wonder at the end of the book: What would it have taken for Chinggis to assure continuity of his empire through time (past his lineage's death) in the same manner that he mastered its continuity in space (breadth). May's book rekindles interest and awareness of the contribution of the Mongol empire to the history and growth of Asia and East Europe culture.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended military history book on the Mongol Army, September 4, 2007

By 

John H. Nguyen "Amazon Chief" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Mongol Art of War (Hardcover)

This is a PURE military history of the Mongols. It is topical rather than chronological. As the title of the book suggests, it is almost exclusively about the organization, training, weapons and equipment, logistics as well as the tactical and operational history of the superlative Mongol Army. I think the author should substantially expand those chapters of the book which discuss about the tactical and operational performances of the Mongol Army. Furthermore, for an excellent military history book like this one it is a shame that there are not enough tactical, military topographical maps to illustrate the chapters of the book (in particular those chapters that deal with the Mongol Army's battles, tactical and operational arts). I totally disagree with another reviewer who faulted the author for not discussing the social and economical factors behind the organization and behaviors of the Mongol Army. Those may be valid concerns for an academia (and I'm sure there are plenty of books on those factors on the market). But for a book about the Mongol Art of War they are quite irrelevant, in my opinion. As far as I know this is only the second book available (the other one is Richard Gabriel's Genghis Khan Greatest General Subotai the Valiant, which I also highly recommnend) that provides a DETAILED military history of the Mongol Army. If you enjoy military history, get this book.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, July 24, 2007

By 

Ivan Klay (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mongol Art of War (Hardcover)

Not sure why the other review thought the narrative was boring. Very interesting and most comprehensive book on the Mongol military I've read. Prof. May's analysis is clear and very insightful. Great maps too.