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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)

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

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Surprisingly good

I wasn't sure if I would like this book when I purchased it, but after the first chapter I was hooked. I knew that the Mongolians played an important part with intertwining east with west, after reading this it's hard to believe how the world would be with out Genghis Khan.
Anyone with the tiniest once of curiosity should listen to this book.

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15 people found this helpful

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Brilliant

A well researched story that not only goes into the the great Genghis Khan but also his legacy and family history. The most interesting parts were probably of his descendants taking over Russia, China and the middle East. The narration is also top notch and he's excited about the topic ,very easy listening. Definitely a must listen for anyone who appreciates history.

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12 people found this helpful

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Fascinating

I am hooked on the history of the Mongol empire and have read many books. Great to get different perspectives. Some focus on the brutality, others like this one take a more pragmatic approach. Enjoyed this immensely.

Highly recommend Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History Podcast ‘Wrath of the Khans’ series. The best audio story of Genghis Khan and the Mongols ever!

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9 people found this helpful

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The must-known missing history

The hidden history of Genghis Khan provides an unique opportunity to understand and imagine the world in the 13th century. Stories cover not only Genghis Khan but also his descendants. Some parts of the stories truly disrupt my stereotypes toward Mongolian. Great historical values!

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3 people found this helpful

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Great insights into a significant history

I found this book fascinating. I really enjoyed having my previous (ill-informed) misconceptions about Genghis Khan shattered and discovering how influential he was, not just at that time and place, but through the centuries and across the world.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant new detail

This is a fabulous combination of existing data on Mongol history, which is parse, and new information and perspectives based on new research. I most appreciated the broader context of this history.

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Very Impressed

To coin a phrase, this really is a case of the truth being stranger than fiction. Well, not necessarily strange, but more impressive. It is difficult not to be impressed with Genghis Kahn. Arguably, the greatest conqueror the world has known.
I must admit to not knowing very much about, the great Kahn. Not many of us do, or did. This History was put together over many years, by quite a few people and in some cases, at great risk. I think the story of the writing, the research, the digging up of the facts, the hardships, to get it written, is maybe as interesting, as Genghis Kahn's own story and the history of the Mongolian Empire.
while reading this book. I kept having this internal wow. This awe. Not just at the battles and conquests, impressive as they were. It was the achievements and the innovations that were set in place, to put the modern world on track, that are truly spectacular.
Without the contributions that came from the Mongolian Empire, the modern world may still be in the Middle Ages.

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Great insight into history of the Mongols

Really enjoyed this book. Gave a completely different perspective on the role of Genghis Khan and the Mongols in world history, can definitely recommend to anyone with an interest in the major drivers of world history.

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Superb, Fascinating and wonderful!!

What made the experience of listening to Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World the most enjoyable?

One of the most amazing part of world history that yet little is known about it. This book is truly an eye opener to one of the most interesting episodes in human history!! Written in a delightful way and narrated wonderfully, Love it!

What did you like best about this story?

The history itself. It's absolutely MIND BLOWING!

What does Jack Weatherford and Jonathan Davis bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Combining countless historical records in an interesting and fascinating way. This story is larger than life and I appreciate the effort that went into collecting all the pieces of the puzzle to tell a single coherent story.

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

Listened to it on my daily commute over a total of a couple of weeks. But given the opportunity I would listen to it for longer periods.

Any additional comments?

MUST READ / LISTEN!

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1 person found this helpful

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Insightful and well told

Jack Weatherford's study of primary source material has produced a brilliant book. It is a work of non-fiction that you cannot stop listening to. Weatherford's insights into trade, money and science (and how the Mongols spread these things) make this book incredibly valuable.
The performance was also excellent-the reader was not annoying.

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