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Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World

By: Jack Weatherford
Narrated by: Jonathan Davis, Jack Weatherford
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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.

©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)

Featured Article: The 20 Best History Audiobooks You Never Heard in School


While history is by definition the study of the past, no subject tells us more about the present, or is as exciting to follow in contemporary times. The range of subgenres within history writing is huge. Some authors cover a massive scope, while others zoom in to examine tiny, overlooked elements in a new way. Unlike your history class of old, these selections don’t demand memorization of names and dates. Read on for the best in our catalog.

Editor's Pick

Even if you don’t pick up this title, please say ‘JENG-iss.’
"As an anthropologist studying and teaching in Mongolia for decades, Jack Weatherford collected stories: the facts of Genghis Khan’s life (few, but significant), his legacy (huge), and the intimacy and specialness of Mongolian culture that changed and spread across the world under his aegis. Jonathan Davis’s stellar narration of every novelistic detail guarantees that this audio is the BEST. HISTORY. EVER."
Christina H., Audible Editor

What listeners say about Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World

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Astounding

This book is a classic. Truly extraordinary and will be a standard that will hopefully wash away the gross misunderstandings of the Mongol empire.

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Interesting and informative.

I listen to a lot of history books, but I don't often find one as interesting as this one. I thought it gives a nice short overview of the Mongol empire.

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Genghis Khan and making modern world

This part of our history i really never got other than the movie make. Much better understanding about the Khan people and how strong they were.

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Educational and Enlightening

A most interesting and intriguing historical recount of the a truly great man! High recommended this rendition of a great book! A must be told story to all who wishes to know a truth!

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Fascinating historical novel

The author has done extensive research to rewrite the story of Genghis Khan, describing him as a most remarkable man rather than the butchering conqueror I would have learned years ago in school. Weatherford goes on to detail a bit of the history of the next two generations, with an equally interesting history of Kublai Khan and 14th century China, and how they influenced the course of western history. This is a fascinating and well written book.

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Must read for anyone interested in the Mongolian Empire

Before reading this book my perception of what the Mongolian empire was and about their culture was entirely wrong.

This book is very well written and had an amazing amount of content that explains how the Mongolian empire shaped the modern world. It also showed once again how Western civilizations rewrite history to present everyone else as barbarians and uncivilized.

Great read, Genghis for president!

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found a new respect for Mongol empire and Genghis

well written book creates a respect for Mongols something unseen in western books. highly recommended for all audio listeners and readers.

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WOW

Great listen. Very good story and well presented. I guess I need to write 15 words.

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Very informative but maybe a bit biased

Everything you could want to know about the Mongols. However the author might be a tad too postive regarding the Mongols and their treatment of other peoples.

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Who knew

I love Biographies...but this has become a favorite! I learned so much about Genghis Kahn

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