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Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World cover art

Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World

Written by: Jack Weatherford
Narrated by: Jonathan Davis, Jack Weatherford
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Publisher's Summary

The Mongol army led by Genghis Khan subjugated more lands and people in 25 years than the Romans did in 400. In nearly every country the Mongols conquered, they brought an unprecedented rise in cultural communication, expanded trade, and a blossoming of civilization.

Vastly more progressive than his European or Asian counterparts, Genghis Khan abolished torture, granted universal religious freedom, and smashed feudal systems of aristocratic privilege. From the story of his rise through the tribal culture to the explosion of civilization that the Mongol Empire unleashed, this brilliant work of revisionist history is nothing less than the epic story of how the modern world was made.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2005 Jack Weatherford (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

What the critics say

"With appreciative descriptions of the sometimes tender tyrant, this chronicle supplies just enough personal and world history to satisfy any reader." ( Publishers Weekly)
"There is very little time for reading in my new job. But of the few books I've read, my favourite is Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World by Jack Weatherford. It's a fascinating book portraying Genghis Khan in a totally new light. It shows that he was a great secular leader, among other things." (Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India)
"Weatherford's admiration for Genghis and his firsthand knowledge of many of the sites important in Mongol history give this text an immediacy and a visual quality that are enhanced by Davis’s presentation. When the narrative begins to lag in its final hour or two as it moves farther from the twelfth century, Davis's crisp pace maintains the listener’s interest to the end. An informative and provocative work of popular history." ( AudioFile)

What listeners say about Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World

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Great story, annoying music

Great story and performance, but the music can be quite annoying as the performer quietly talks over the loud music.

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12 people found this helpful

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Gets better as you go

At first I thought the author was struggling to make an obscure and small history sound big and interesting. But as the story unfolds I realized that it was all groundwork to establish patterns and facts that would become important in one of the biggest and most fascinating histories I've ever seen.

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6 people found this helpful

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Informational, but at times dull

Decent listen if you are interested in the Mongol empire. It gets a little dry at times making it hard to maintain interest. For people interested in Genghis Khan and his empire, I would also recommend Conn Iggulden's Conquerer series. It's a fictional series, but largely based on real history. He even discusses where he deviated from actual history at the end of each book.

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5 people found this helpful

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Quite a Journey

#Audible1
I have always had an interest in learning more about the life of Genghis Khan and this book really delivered. It takes you on a long journey, from the beginning of Genghis Khan’s empire to how it has influenced our world in more modern times. An important story to know for all of us who want to learn about history, military tactics and what happens when success and wealth are acquired so fast that nobody knows exactly how to handle it.

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Fascinating!

If you've had any curiosity about the Mongols and Genghis Khan, this is a fabulous introduction into the little known, previosly falsely maligned people and their history.

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Entertaining and informative

I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook on Genghis Khan. The author does get a bit carried away with claims that the Renaissance mouvement derived from Mongols. However, most of the facts are correct.

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  • 2023-03-18

What an eye opener

Like most westerners this book was a real eye opener to the real story of Genghis Khan. Not a savage Marauder but the thoughtful conquerer who brought together the largest empire this world has ever known.

Thoroughly researched and an enjoying listen. A solid recommendation.

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1 person found this helpful

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Should be Required Readiing

I really learned so much from this work. It was fascinating and eye-opening . Well done!

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Another great find

The narrator does a fantastic job of delivering this story. He made it easy to listen to while I was at work. The story felt like it was a little muddy in the beginning but I'm looking forward to listening to it again.

Overall this is an easy recommendation if you enjoy easy listening or history

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Fasinating insight into a historical character

This book provided us surprisingly rich and insightful account of the life of Genghis Khan and the impact he made on the world of his time. I particularly found the accounts of his early days fascinating and the strategies he used to conquer the Central Asian area to be ruthlessly efficient.

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