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)

A very informative book

A very informative and well written book. I particularly liked the end where the past and the present met. Thank you Jack Weatherford.

Wow! A History I was TOTALLY Ill-informed About

I initially didn’t like the way the book was broken up into Gengis, Kublai, and the world implications as result of the Mongol rise and fall.

History can be life changing

Any additional comments?

My deceased father use to recite the Kubla Khan poem by Coleridge when I was little. I had no idea what was behind the man or the story. Today, after sixty years, I can remember the first stanza of this poem by heart, and made the connection to this time in history after listening to this book. I use to refer to 'down syndrome' children as 'Mongoloids' and had no idea where the term came from or why it was a discriminatory term. This historical book filled in many blanks for me and hopefully made me a better person.

history owes Genghis a thank you.

Start was a little slow unless you are a history geek which I happen to be. Listening to the story gives new perspective to european version of history.

More then I imagined.

I have read about Genghis Khan before, but this book delves so deeply into the topic that I was surprised constantly by it. The story of his family, the betrayals, in-fighting and both luck and skill on the battle field.

Funny enough, the one fact that sticks with me the most is that the Mongols were not a literate people, but to retain the knowledge of all the laws, and to relay orders across hundreds and thousands of miles without losing detail they would sing it in verse.

Evidently Mongols sung constantly when riding, and not just songs, but laws, instructions, etc. Singing is one of the ways to trick your mind not to forget specific wording, and avoid the horrid "telephone game" effect.

It is a very long listen, but it was worth all of it.

Brilliant book on so many levels

Having only known about Genghis Khan and the Mongols through Hollywood pop culture this book completely opened my eyes. So many things we take for granted today or mistakenly believe was created by Western culture is in fact a direct creation or result of the Mongol Empire. My favourite parts of the book actually involve Kublai Khan. Paper currency, public schooling, and so many other modern day accomplishments thanks to his rule.

But most impressive was the way the Mongol Empire successfully dealt with multiculturalism and attitudes towards other religions. Something the West today could learn a lot from.

Excellence in content and presentation

Why aren't we taught this in school. He his Kahn was the greatest conquerer who ever lived. I highly recommend this book if you really want to learn some world history, not just European/American history.

Great book about Genghis Khan

If you could sum up Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World in three words, what would they be?

Enjoyable, Substance, Awareness

What was one of the most memorable moments of Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World?

The book itself as a whole is memorable it is an amazing the history and its modern day effect that Ghenghis Khan had

What about Jonathan Davis and Jack Weatherford ’s performance did you like?

They both spoke clearly and was easy to listen to

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

It would be hard to listen to it in one sitting for how long it was but i enjoyed it from start to finish

If you like a good history read this book is 4 you

Epic, fascinating, a real eye opener to an vastly important part of world history that was often overlooked by the West or outright suppressed by the Soviet Union until it's collapses in the 90’s. Beautifully researched and brought too life by what must have been a monumental research project. The detail is exquisitely chronicled without boging down in overdone minutia, pitch perfect, maintaining steadfast interest from start to finish. Be aware that there are maps that can be downloaded from the download page which sadly wasn't made apparent until the end of the presentation.

So glad I decided to pick up this book.

If you could sum up Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World in three words, what would they be?

Thrilling, fascinating, enlightening

What was one of the most memorable moments of Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World?

The founding of the city Beijing

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The reference to sources providing legitimacy of the text

Any additional comments?

I am reminded that early human history is my most favorite topic and it is becoming a passion.