Serendipity is a builder of history.

Avery interesting book with many interesting facts, and ideas, at the very end it showed the author a little too enamored with the nationalistic ideas of a mongolian empire, but it is explainable as a found respect for a people that have been maligned by history and politicians to a point that is quite surprising but understandable in a world where nationalism is the norm and for the most part the imparter of truth for the masses. This book ask us to wake up and burst the bubble of our culture, join the multiverse, the rich tapestry of human history.

A story that adds to what is generally known and changes what is accepted by giving a new perspective.
We learn history in sectional bits, and always as presented by the nation and culture we belong to, so as we read and learn we segment sets of ideas and ideologies of a time and place as unique examples, especially if we do not read a lot or let others explain history with a decided coloration of their point of view, this is why it is important to explore different angles of a period to get a glimpse of past that is less colored by the ideas of one person, past periods or the period you live in; morals and beliefs are not permanent or historically kind to the truth, they are tinted lenses that hide facts to promote their point, because we all live in a reality and culture that it is constantly trying to submerge us in its momentary truth.

Many people have become absolute history masochist and blame all wrongs in the world to our western culture as if all other cultures had no consequence except as victims of our history; in reality we are but a small part of human history and our place in that history is not assured or permanent. We learn more of our history because that is the natural way to connect us to our culture, customs and laws, and because we are a culture that examines and is self critically we tend to amplify our importance and guilt, as this book will plainly demonstrate. With lessons in what an amazing people achieved with limited technology, and how time and politics have distorted their culture and history to a point of near oblivion.
Some of their developments are still with us but silenced by time and the negation of their importance by other cultures and political interest, like the interest of the soviet union and now russia a power that has no scruples in protecting and creating a narrative convenient to its needs, by suppressing the history of the Mongols to this day, or china that has similar interest politically and historically. Also the very success of the this people of the plains still instigates a bit of fear. They subjugated Muslims, christians, buddhist, and animist while expanding in all directions, their methods of war are still relevant, and so should it be with their intense promotion of commerce among different peoples and cultures.

Genghis Khan was but a beginning for a Mongol expansion that lasted through generations with all the ups and downs of human made plans, but maintaining enough momentum to rule a great chunk of the world.

A non apologetic look at an empire that changed the world and is still influencing the present.

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6 people found this helpful

Great story

Well read, very interesting story of which I had no knowledge of prior to listening to this. Narrator keeps you wanting to keep listening to what happened next.

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3 people found this helpful

The true story of maligned historical figure

Genghis Khan, feared, reviled and demonised by the early Christian west and the Edwardian elite to such a degree that his name became synonymous with murder and cruelty. But did you know all men were equal under his rule? That women could not be stolen or raped, that widows and their families were cared for? No, you didn’t. The Mongol ‘hoard’ were perhaps the most progressive, enlightened and forward thinking empire that ever existed. Equality, religious tolerance and trade defined the modern world, these ideals began in one place, in one man. The best parts of modern society still exist today and they are all thanks to one man, the great and noble Genghis Khan.

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1 person found this helpful

Absolutely Fascinating

Portrayed for hundreds of years as a tyrant, despot and all round bad guy.
Funny that the truth is so different, the father of so many nations who together with his immediate descendants brought law & order, education, good governance, an end to torture & execution etc, etc, etc (the list goes on).
A brilliant book, very well presented on a little known reality.

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Excellent

Very informative never realised the influence Genghis Khan had on the world and its history

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Eye opening

Loved this book, great for those wanting to learn more about the Mongol Empire. And how its culture impact has shaped the world we know today and other hundreds of years of history.

I

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fantastic book about an amazing historical leader

if you like history and want to push your knowledge beyond the standard western pr script this is a must read. A deeply moving story of a man and his world legacy. I especially liked all the epilogues.

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A fascinating history told from a subjective angle

This book is great for the purpose of knowing more about Genghis Khan and his descendants, their impact on the world. The author's perspective is quite charming as he could easily be the Khan's advocate or a time-traveling envoy. In any case, this has been an enjoyable listen.

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FANTASTIC!!! 10/10

I am 50 years old and with a sound knowledge of history. I had watched documentaries on Genghis Khan and read few stories. I hesitated to listen to it because I was not sure if this book was for me and if I will learn anything new. I am soooo glad that I did !!! It is gripping and interesting from start to finish. 10/10 do not hesitate to use a credit on this. So easy to listen to. Fantastic book.

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A compelling listen

A riveting story about history that's foundational to any person alive today (or who has been for the last 800 years). Full of detail and careful observation. A book that answers key questions about the modern world.

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