Genghis Khan

Rating:
Summary: Leaves too many questions unanswered
Review: Any book that deals with 12th century Asian history will have some gaps in the storyline, unfortunately, R. P. Lister makes these gaps big enough to drive a truck through. The author begins the book with a lengthy introduction about how he researched this book. After twenty plus pages of Mr. Lister stressing how hard he worked on this book the biography finally begins with the must hyped biography of Genghis Khan.

As the reader progresses through the book he finds himself constantly bombarded with individual names of different people. This almost seemed as an attempt by the author to show off his research, but by doing this he slows the reader down to a snail's pace. Even with this said, Mr. Lister's research of Genghis Khan's early life is simply remarkable. There is absolutely no doubt that the author has spent countless hours researching the material.

It can safely be said that the first 200 pages of this book is one of the most comprehensive studies on Genghis Khan's rise to power, unfortunately, Mr. Lister spends only 6 pages on Khan's campaigns outside of Mongolia as well as his death. Another weak point is the fact that throughout the entire book the author never gives an in depth physical description of Genghis. Another problem is that even though the author gives accurate names of battles he never once presents a map of the country. This reader would have easily given up just one page of the introduction for a simple map of just one of the battles Mr. Lister talks about.

Another void in this book is the fact the author is somewhat afraid to mention one weakness of the ruler. Also, instead of speaking of the many strengths of Genghis Khan he just says "he had a way of making people follow him". The author also leaves forgets to speak about the many weapons the mongols uses, instead he just talks about the bow.

This book is perfect for anyone who wants to know about how the ruler came to power but as far as how he kept power and how he died you need to look elsewhere. What the author should have done was expand this book 200 more pages and written a more comprehensive biography. If this was not possible the book should have been retitle "Genghis Khan, the early life". However, even with this said, the book is just lacking too much and leaves too many unanswered questions. Mr. Lister took a grand opportunity to write about a powerful leader and threw it out the window by only half writing about his subject.

PROS 1) Well researched early life

CONS 1) Bombardment of names confuses reader 2) Absence of any map to help the reader 3) Author skims the middle and the later life 4) No physical description of the ruler

Rating:
Summary: It reads like a fairy tale but better.
Review: Better, because it really happened. This is book is full of all the interesting biographical details that when taken together paint a fascinating portrait of the man who would become "World Conquerer". I was especially impressed to learn that the only two people who struck fear into Genghis Khan were his mother and his wife. The only improvement I can suggest to this book would be a map, since my knowledge of central/eastern asian geography isn't that great.

Rating:
Summary: A very readable and fun account of the Great Khan
Review: For anyone interested in learning about the LIFE of Genghis Khan, R. P. Lister presents a very readable and interesting account. If you are looking for a recounting of his military campaigns this is not your book.

Mr. Lister takes us on a magical tour through the early life of this renowned conqueror that replaces the old impression of Genghis Khan as an evil barbarian, with the more accurate impression of a perceptive, persistent, and cunning leader who lived in barbaric times.

I have recommended this book to literally dozens of people with the offer to pay for it if they were dissatisfied and to date received only thanks for the suggestion.

I hope that you enjoy this book as much as I have!!!

Rating:
Summary: Genghis Khan book,
Review: I really enjoyed it. Good written, like a novell, easy to read and follow the life line of Genghis Khan. Althrough, at the introduction it's a bit boring to read details of mongolian language.

Rating:
Summary: Genghis Khan book,
Review: I was hoping for a data driven account of Khan's life; instead, I got a badly written, oddball exposition of it. Just disappointing.

Rating:
Summary: a readable recounting Temujjin's childhood and rise to power
Review: Lister based his book on "The Secret History of the Mongols," written about 1240 and unknown to the West until the 20th century. This book focuses on the alliances and conflicts in Temujjin's life prior to become Khan of all the Mongols, which did not happen until he was 39. Of special interest are his killing a half-brother when Temujjin was 11; the death of his father at age 9 and his subsequent mortal hazards; and his relationship with his "anda" (ally/"sworn brother"/lover?), Jamukha.

There is much description of horses and pasture, less description of women; both are men's property to be stolen or disposed of at will. Temujjin apparently had some fear of his wife Berta and more fear of his mother Hoelun.

Perhaps I gained some insight to Temujjin's motivations and foibles. It is clear that disobeying one's rightful lord was the worst offense possible, punishable by death whether the disobedience hindered or helped Temujjin. There are repeated references to his will to power, promotion by merit, inspiration of loyalty, and a few references to unusually well organized military affairs. But I gleaned no further insight on why he was uniquely successful. "Genghis Khan" is most useful as a look through a window, but no more, onto nomadic politics and mores of 12th century Mongolia and its greatest political and military genius.

Rating:
Summary: a readable recounting Temujjin's childhood and rise to power
Review: Lister based his book on "The Secret History of the Mongols," written about 1240 and unknown to the West until the 20th century. This book focuses on the alliances and conflicts in Temujjin's life prior to become Khan of all the Mongols, which did not happen until he was 39. Of special interest are his killing a half-brother when Temujjin was 11; the death of his father at age 9 and his subsequent mortal hazards; and his relationship with his "anda" (ally/"sworn brother"/lover?), Jamukha.

There is much description of horses and pasture, less description of women; both are men's property to be stolen or disposed of at will. Temujjin apparently had some fear of his wife Berta and more fear of his mother Hoelun.

Perhaps I gained some insight to Temujjin's motivations and foibles. It is clear that disobeying one's rightful lord was the worst offense possible, punishable by death whether the disobedience hindered or helped Temujjin. There are repeated references to his will to power, promotion by merit, inspiration of loyalty, and a few references to unusually well organized military affairs. But I gleaned no further insight on why he was uniquely successful. "Genghis Khan" is most useful as a look through a window, but no more, onto nomadic politics and mores of 12th century Mongolia and its greatest political and military genius.

Rating:
Summary: misses the point
Review: This book is literally for kids. Just by the cover you get a hint. Genghis khan was prominent for his blue-green eyes, long beard, and fair skin. The guy on the cover looks more like a turk than a mongol. For anyone serious about Khan i reccomend Conqueror of the World by Rene Grousset. its still the most definitive work on the mongol overlord.

Rating:
Summary: Confused
Review: This was somewhere inbetween a history book and a novel. Its a quick read with some good info, but its more appropriate for entertainment because of its lack in depth. Because of these strengths and weaknesses that I give it 3 stars.