Customer Reviews

The Mongols (Men-At-Arms Series, 105)

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I enjoyed reading this book because I learned a lot about this fascinating period. The Mongol Empire stretched from China to present day Poland.Many leading powers today such as Germany, Russia, China and Japan had to bear the brunt of Mongol attacks or were incorporated into one of the world's largest empires. One interesting point is that after a while, the Mongols simply stopped advancing even though their enemies, Arabs or Europeans were not in a position to check their advances. It is difficult to imagine the course history would have taken had the Mongols pressed on with their offensive. The Western dominated international dydtem would not have existed. The book also has some interesting information on the battle tactics and equipment of the mongols. There is also a lot of details about their ability to assimilate outsiders and their military technology. A lot of of Chinese know-how especially in siege warfare was used, but the Mongols relied mainly on their ability to wage speedy, cavalry based attacks. Discipline and an honour system was a major reason for the success of the Mongols, a people who played a considerable part in shaping world history.

This book ends all the myths about the mongols - that they only won because they had numerical superiority, that their army was an uncoordinated horde of wild animals, and so on. Other bits and pieces of what we think we know about them are actually confirmed, though : that they were cruel, that they practically lived on their horses and so on. Additionally, there are brief descriptions about the clothes they were wearing, their haircuts and what they ate and drank. Together with the usual beautiful full color plates, this is a book which is highly recommended as a very good starting point for further studies in this area.

It's a fine book for the people who are beginners in Mongolian history field. Recommended. Only thing that's missing on Mongols' subject in Osprey books is that they don't have anything from original Mongolian sources (Osprey books use either Chinese, Russian, or Arabic sources mostly)! But as I said before this book is good for beginners and you won't be dissatisfied.

Stephen Turnbull has written a number of very good Osprey titles. This was one of the most enjoyable. "The Mongols" presents a concise look at the Mongol war machine. McBribe's color plates are well done and enhance the quality of the book. While certainly not an in-depth look at the Mongols, this title does an excellent general overview of Mongol tactics and siege warfare. The devastating campaign against Eastern Europe is spotlighted as an example of just how successful and ruthless the Mongols were in battle. Far from being a rabble of lawless tribesmen, the Mongol army was a well-led and discliplined killing machine that decimated foes ranging from the powerful armies of China to the wealthy city of Baghdad. Even the Japanese fought Mongol-led invasion forces. The book also describes how the Mongols utterly defeated a European army including the famous Teutonic Knights on the plains of Poland. Overall, one of the best Men-at-Arms series I've seen and I would recommend it to anyone wanting a general overview of the war machine that dominated Thirteenth century Eurasia.

"The Mongols" by Stephen Turnbull explains how the Mongolians influenced history in the 1200s. Just like other Osprey Men-at-Arms books, this one is very short, to-the-point, and loaded with illustrations. Eight full-color plates illustrated by Angus McBride really bring the Mongols to life.

The book is only 40 pages long (including the index), but serves well in informing someone new to Mongolian history the basics of who they were and fought, and even their strategies on the battlefield. The author has the following to say about the Mongolians:

"No army has ever provoked such justifiable terror and loathing in its victims, or slaughtered so many of its vanquished. No other army has made and later carried out to the letter strategic plans so grand as those conceived at the great kuriltai or Council of War in 1235, with simultaneous attacks on both Poland and Korea. (p. 3)"

From reading "The Mongolians," one gets a sense they were brutal warriors, with examples such as 700,000 people were murdered in 1221 when Merv was captured by the Mongolians (p. 6). The Mongolians influenced history in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East with their invasions; this book presents this history well and makes learning about it interesting.

When you ask me who is one of the best authors when it comes to Asian history I will tell you Turnbull. And who is one of the best artists when it comes to bringing soldiers and warriors to life? McBride of course. This book has both of them working together to show us how Mongols fought battles, armed themselves, and how they handled city sieges. A nice little book, 40 pages long, with wonderful colored images and tons of information.
If you liked this book I would suggest Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World.

These guys were vicious! The text is informative and extremely interesting, and the McBride plates are awesome as always.

These people who burst unannounced from the steppes were probadly the closest thing humans have come to being the perfect killing machine. They were extremely tough, hardy, could make do with next to nothing, utterly cold ruthless killers who with some outstanding leadership almost took over the Old World. Great Text is provided that disproves by some good scholarship the old myths i.e. Huge Numbers were the only reason why they won etc. Couple with some great pictures that make this a good value for those interested in this period of history.

There is not much to read in this book. The depth of research is almost nonexistent.