Genghis Khan Biography

Genghis Khan by John Man is very good, it focuses on Ghengis and also the mongols as a people, in addition to an epilogue about his legacy in the east, and how he is venerated in Mongolia, and, more interestingly, Chinese folklore. He comes across as a ruthless warlord, but also a thoughtful and pragmatic ruler.

However, it doesn't spend enough time on his successors and the rapid decline of his empire. There's also a slightly tiring personal "spiritual quest" to find the Great Khan's grave at the end.

Mostly however it's a very good, detailed and accurate account of a figure that remains quite mysterious and demonised in the West.

If you don't mind historical fiction, see if you can find a copy of The Earth is the Lord's by Taylor Caldwell. It's a fictional biography of Genghis Khan. I've found that it does a great job of invoking the world as well as the man.

Damn, Kurtz got there first.

Also, Conn Iggulden has written a series of fictional biographies of Genghis Khan - Wolf of the Plains, Lords of the Bow and Bones of the Hills.

Apparently he intends to follow it with a series of books on Kubla Khan.

I think russian author Vasily Yan wrote a historical novel about him- in 70-ies or 80-ies... If you can read russian- it might be a VERY good read for you!

KHaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!

Sorry, couldn't resist. Now back to your regularly scheduled Mongol discussion.

I agree with Kurtz. The John Mann book is an exhaustive and interesting history on Gengis Khan. It's an easy read too :0)