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Empires of the Steppes

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Empires of the Steppes

Written by: Kenneth W. Harl
Narrated by: Corey M. Snow
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A narrative history of how Attila, Genghis Khan and the so-called barbarians of the steppes shaped world civilization.

The barbarian nomads of the Eurasian steppes have played a decisive role in world history, but their achievements have gone largely unnoticed. These nomadic tribes have produced some of the world’s greatest conquerors: Attila the Hun, Genghis Khan and Tamerlane, among others. Their deeds still resonate today. Indeed, these nomads built long-lasting empires, facilitated the first global trade of the Silk Road and disseminated religions, technology, knowledge and goods of every description that enriched and changed the lives of so many across Europe, China and the Middle East. From a single region emerged a great many peoples—the Huns, the Mongols, the Magyars, the Turks, the Xiongnu, the Scythians, the Goths—all of whom went on to profoundly and irrevocably shape the modern world.

In this new, comprehensive history, Professor Kenneth W. Harl vividly re-creates the lives and world of these often-forgotten peoples from their beginnings to the early modern age. Their brutal struggle to survive on the steppes bred a resilient, pragmatic people ever ready to learn from their more advanced neighbors. In warfare, they dominated the battlefield for over fifteen hundred years. Under charismatic rulers, they could topple empires and win their own.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook. Asia World Mongol Empire Middle Ages China Imperialism Ancient History Iran Military Middle East
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Could have a good thriller without all the trashy content. I wish books had ratings. Should have done a bit more research.

Good story, too much disturbing things

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Mr Harl does an excellent job explaining the interconnectedness of 2 millennia of Steppe nomad peoples. It is rich in history but not bogged down with minutiae.
The performance is engaging and without a lot of bombast; how I prefer it, though your mileage may vary.

Engrossing, good for repeated listens

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