Bookraft

Ghenghis Khan conjures up images of massive hordes of mounted archers riding across the steppes of Russia or the various mountain menaces of the Central Asian Stans or into the constantly power-changing Muslim states of the Middle East . In 20 years from age 40 to 60 Ghenghis Khan subjugated Northern China, Korea, all of Central Asia to the Caspian Sea with forays into the Middle East, Persia West India, and onto the Black Sea. 50 years later all of these areas just touched upon would be absorbed into the Khanate Empire. Within 100 years this great Khan empire, which doubles the size and population of the Roman Empire at its greatest extent [which took 400 years to amass], would be disintegrating. This collapse was spurred on by intense internecine Mongol rivalries and the terrifying outbreaks of the plague that would kill millions [and drift relentlessly westward to the middle East and Europe. This is the 100 year panorama events that surely did change the World.

Given the breadth and scope of the Khan incursions, Weatherford provides only 271 pages of historical narrative despite having a wealth of contemporary and historical sources [the suggested bibliography runs for 8 pages and scores of books/studies.Thus, the book reads like a CNN Powerpoint story of Historical Conquest on a Monumental Scale. Do not look for penetrating analysis or even comprehensive coverage of the political or military players .
Also military buffs will find the book informative for the first 1/3 and then gradually the Mongol political intrigues take precedence. What is clearly lacking is any attempt to analyze the motives for amassing such an empire beyond aggrandizing wealth and an imperious rage and revenge for the disdain that political foes showed to the Mongols and their emissaries. Remember these are nomadic hunters herders that are demolishing armies and great cities with infinitely clever and diverse military and psychological warfare. Even more impressive is the "backward" Mongols willingness and ability to absorb their enemy's winning tactics and arms into their own arsenal almost at once.

Why do that? What caused the Mongols to upgrade and adapt so quickly. How did they communicate with their captives and so persuasively. The book is silent because it is racing across the story of the Khan Empire at breakneck speed. This is almost like a high school history book approach to Genghis and the Khan conquerors.

But Weatherford has 3 things going for him. First and foremost, history in North America and Europe is largely homebody - rarely do studies and courses go outside domestic players and trends. So much of the scope and intrigue of the Khan Conquests is utterly unknown by most readers [ye reviewer largely dim has to be included]. Second, contemporary conflicts and unrest are taking place in areas like Iraq, Iran , Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Uighr Sinkiang - stretching right through the heart of the former Mongol Empire. Some of the tactics being employed have echoes from the Mongol era. Third, Weatherford has the knack of latching onto fascinating facts:
So the author inform us that Ghenghis Khan allowed for freedom of religion in an era when religious radicalism had reached its most virulent form [think Crusades and other religious wars]. For example, among the Mongol elites Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and Native Spiritualism co-existed. From this comes the following delicious passage:

The Mongols loved competitions of all sorts, and they organized debates among rival religions the same way they organized wrestling matches. It began on a specific data with a panel of judges to oversee it. In this case Mongke Khan ordered them to debate before three judges: a Christian, a Muslim, a Buddhist. A large audience assembled to watch the affair, which began with great seriousness and formality. An official lay down the strict rules by which Mongke wanted the debate to proceed: on pain of death "no one shall dare to speak words of contention".
Rubruck and the other Christians joined together in one team with the Muslims in an effort to refute the Buddhist doctrines. As these men gathered together in all their robes and regalia in the tents on the dusty plains of Mongolia they were doing something that no other set of scholars or theologians had ever done in history....

So come to the book for the gaping hole in history it will likely fill. Use the many references to plan your own deeper dive into answering the questions the book raises. And enjoy the not infrequent fascinating highlights that Weatherford brings to your attention. But expect 10 more questions for every insight or answer you get.