Genghis Khan

his conquests, his empire, his legacy

No cover

Frank McLynn: Genghis Khan (2015)

646 pages

English language

Published Jan. 9, 2015

OCLC Number:
888556978

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2 stars (2 reviews)

"Combining fast-paced accounts of battles with rich cultural background and the latest scholarship, Frank McLynn brings vividly to life the strange world of the Mongols, describes Temujin's rise from boyhood outcast to becoming Genghis Khan, and provides the most accurate and absorbing account yet of one of the most powerful men ever to have lived."--Provided by publisher.

4 editions

Really tiresome.

1 star

This was just so dreadfully dull? And the history/geography of it seemed really at odds with reality. Honestly, I would prefer to read Mongolian history as written by a Mongolian historian (or, at least, a Mongolian person) because there's so much that just felt... off and wrong? Or if not wrong then really oddly interpreted. The use of sources (or even the lack of sources in some places) was just strange.

It was like this guy's trying to write this as if it was a fantasy fiction/GoT-type novel, as if he thought the history itself wasn't interesting enough. I couldn't bother to push myself through it any more.

Also: I still can't get over this bit at the beginning about the Mongolians hunting SMALL GAME, which apparently includes WILD CAMELS and WILD ASSES.

avatar for ngs

rated it

3 stars

Subjects

  • Mongols
  • Kings and rulers
  • Biography