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)

Fascinating history, excellent narration

This should be required reading in all American schools. Turned my understanding of the Mongol empire upside down. Specifically, Genghis Khan was an excellent leader, international culture carrier, encouraged commerce, tolerated all religious beliefs including Christian, and stayed in power because the people liked what he provided for them. He believed in meritocracy of ideas and performance. The narrator was one of the best I’ve ever heard, correct pronunciations, easy to listen to and very clear. Outstanding work.

Great story

Very good story telling of a very well written story of the mongols from the start of the Genghis Khan life all the way to present day. Dont have any complaints.

Excellent Research

An excellent researched book that adds new light to the life and achievements of a great person, Genghis Khan.

A must read

Before reading this book I thought Khan was a ruthless, murdering barbarian. Well, he was product of his time. The author puts the reader into the era in which Khan lived. Then we understand that this ruthless, murdering barbarian lived in a time when survival and leadership required being such things. Over time Khan actually changed society slightly for the better, albeit through brutal tactics, and the effects are still with us today.

This is a fascinating book and I would highly recommend it.

Masterfully Captivating

This is an amazing account of human history. Huge credit to the author and the research team to unearth this gem.

Well told story.

I hesitated to read this as an introduction to Genghis Kahn since there are other options that are more rigorous academically. But I was interested in a well told story and Jack Weatherford succeeds here.

outstanding work

loved it, learned so much. set the record straight from a lot of the lies I was taught as a child.

Interesting but a little long

First half was more enjoyable than the second half which dragged on. Genghis did some remarkable things but what a vicious dictator. Incredibly resourceful and adaptable. Too bad his sons were all so incompetent and messed it up but that is a common theme with dynasties.

savagery

Left me with a completely new view on world leaders and war stratagems.
who would of thought the Mongolian savaged to be the pioneer of so many tactics used by lesser leaders.

Outstanding. Insightful. Revealing.

An interesting and incredible work. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to understand the importance and impact of this fascinating man.