Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World, Jack Weatherford

A classic if you want to know the history of GK. 1st part of the book tells the story of GK’s rise to power and the forces that shaped his life and personality. The 2nd part details the Mongol entrance onto the stage of history. The 3rd part examines the global awakening that laid the foundation of our modern society.GK grew up in a world of excessive tribal violence, including murder, kidnapping, and enslavement. After he rose to power, in those 25 years, the Mongols subjugated more lands and people than the Romans had conquered in 400 years. The majority of people today live in countries conquered by the Mongols. He smashed the feudal system of aristocratic privilege and birth and built a new and unique system based on individual merit, loyalty, and achievement. GK killed the rich and powerful and the aristocrats to prevent future wars and used propaganda to spread his message globally. He waged war purposefully to preserve Mongol life. They swept across the globe as conquerors, but also as civilization’s unrivaled cultural carriers. Seemingly every aspect of European life- technology, warfare, clothing, commerce, food, art, literature, and music- changed during the Renaissance as a result of the Mongol influence. Though GK lived from 1162 to 2227, his family and descendants ruled for centuries to come, all the way until the 1900’s. And when GK had finished his work, he’d always return to his homeland for rest, recovery, and renewal. He had changed the world but had allowed nothing to change in the land of his birth. Today, hawks soar overhead in Spring, insects sing in summer, the nomads move to the hills in autumn, and wolves prowl in winter.