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A review by whitakk
Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World by Jack Weatherford
5.0
Genghis Khan somehow slipped through my global history classes in high school, so obviously I'd heard of him but I really didn't know what the deal was. I really enjoyed this book, with a surprising amount of detail for things that happened eight centuries ago. Especially enjoyed the beginning, because growing up in the 12th century sounds pretty bananas.
Four things I learned:
1. The Mongol state allowed complete religious freedom, probably for the first time anywhere in the world.
2. Instead of transporting siege equipment (as was custom at the time), Mongol armies brought engineers who could make what they needed out of available material (and could therefore move much faster).
3. The Mongols didn't expand far into Europe in part because the territory wasn't suited for horses - as result Europe got the benefit of Mongols' trade and accumulated knowledge without being conquered, which is a pretty good deal.
4. Europe didn’t know about fall of the Mongol empire until nearly a century later -- Columbus was still looking for them on his voyage.
Four things I learned:
1. The Mongol state allowed complete religious freedom, probably for the first time anywhere in the world.
2. Instead of transporting siege equipment (as was custom at the time), Mongol armies brought engineers who could make what they needed out of available material (and could therefore move much faster).
3. The Mongols didn't expand far into Europe in part because the territory wasn't suited for horses - as result Europe got the benefit of Mongols' trade and accumulated knowledge without being conquered, which is a pretty good deal.
4. Europe didn’t know about fall of the Mongol empire until nearly a century later -- Columbus was still looking for them on his voyage.