Book Rec of the Day 5/4/2007

HISTORIES

“This Great Khan is the mightiest of men, whether in respects of subjects or of territory or of treasure.”—Marco Polo

Genghis Khan and his Mongol army dominated the world in the 13th century. It took Genghis only 25 years to conquer more land than the Romans had conquered in 400; he ended up ruling nearly all of Asia, from the Pacific Ocean to the Volga River. This fascinating account of his life “reads like The Iliad...part travelogue, part epic narrative” (The Washington Post) and debunks the myths about his notorious cruelty.

GENGHIS KHAN AND THE MAKING OF THE MODERN WORLD, by Jack Weatherford (Three Rivers Press, 2005)