Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World

By: Jack Weatherford

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis, Jack Weatherford

Length: 14 hrs and 20 mins

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 PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

Listen to An Interview with Author Jack Weatherford.

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

Critic reviews

"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)

thorough and interesting

I came in with little knowledge. After listening to the book, I feel compelled to dig deeper into the subject. Narration was fantastic.

fantastic 👍

the narrator was great the appendix guy not so much that is why I didn't give 5 star to the performance. one of the most interesting book I ever listened to

Amazed by what we’ve heard and what actually happened

As a post-soviet student I had an impression that Mongols were dumb aggressive herd of people. This completely rocked my understanding!

Giving Credit where Credit is due...

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes.

From my general knowledge of the Khan's, I thought the book was rather neutral as it looked into the history of the family through several generations, and how they shaped what they 'touched'...

Basically, the book tries to give credit, where credit is due, but seems to have been 'washed away' through history...

and that is also something the book talks about...

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No - Too Long..

Good listen

What did you love best about Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World?

Great topic from a different perspective than I have ever previously heard.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. I listened to it over 3 days while at work.

Any additional comments?

Very interesting book. Gives a very unique and exciting perspective. Before listening to this I didn't realize the profound impact khan had on the world, many of which shaped the world as we know it today.

Fascinating bit of history I knew little about

Sheds light on an important and misunderstood figure. I had little notion just how transformational Genghis Khan was. While I knew the Mongol invasions played an important role in history, I didn't realize just how pivotal they were. And how far from being the brutish barbarian portrayed in western histories, his rule was marked by religious tolerance and wide-ranging cultural exchanges (although not without some involuntary relocations and appropriations of those with skills and knowledge).

Although there are a few stretches of dreary lists of names and dates, which are the bane of many histories, especially in audio, this was by and large quite interesting to listen to and well-performed.

History where Europe does not play the lead.

Covers every bit of the history of Genghis Khan, from his childhood, his rise to power, his debasement by later historians. Very interesting. Puts many familiar tropes into a new perspective. Fascinating and at times beautiful descriptions of the times, the land, and the people.

More honest than a love letter, also more sincere

I am compelled to describe this book as a love letter to a civilization. It isn't overly fawning drivel, but more of the "Sometimes I really don't like you at all, but I always love you," variety that makes it so gripping.

I can't stand the books and documentaries on Alexander the Great that have presumably intelligent and compassionate adults falling all over themselves to talk about how amazing he was in the same way teenagers fawn over the popular kids. They tend to skip over the icky subjects of death and destruction or wax poetic at his brilliance at killing. I was afraid this book was going to be in that vein, but decided to give it a try since I knew little of the subject. This book, therefore, took me by surprise. The author doesn't gloss over the negatives, though he does try to give them context (which is helpful). The truth ( I have no reason to believe this is not an honest account, but I'm not remotely an expert) is good enough, good enough to have me starting every other sentence with "Did you know the Mongols had/were responsible for...," a sentence starter I don't think I'd ever used before.

The author's introduction (at the end do the book) was a bit dry, but that may be because it was a summary of what I'd just read. I'm glad I listened, if only for this dedication; "To the Young Mongols: Never forget the Mongolian scholars who were willing to sacrifice their lives to preserve your history."

History unmasked

This book was one of the most interesting reads that I have ever undertaken. It unfolds to tell the world of the genius of Ghengis Khan. A great book! Enjoy the story!

Fascinating lost history revealed

Would you consider the audio edition of Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World to be better than the print version?

N/A

Who was your favorite character and why?

Genghis Khan - the book is mostly about him.

Have you listened to any of Jonathan Davis and Jack Weatherford ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes - facinating

Any additional comments?

This book completely changed my view of the Mongols - I was completely amazed at how progressive and enlightened their rule was once they had conquered countries. He author provides an incredible slice of little known history - and shows how many of the main features of the Mongol empire prefigured our modern world.