Title: Genghis Khan: The Man Who Conquered the World
Author: Frank McLynn
ISBN: 9781784703509
Publisher: Vintage
Price: RM29.90
By Fakhry Asa’ad
Just as God gave different fingers to the hand, so has He gave different ways to men. — Genghis Khan
Genghis Khan was by far the greatest conqueror the world has ever known, whose empire stretched from the Pacific Ocean to central Europe, including all of China, the Middle East and Russia.
So how did an illiterate boy from a nomad upbringing rise to such colossal power, eclipsing Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar and Napoleon? Credited by some with paving the way for the Renaissance, condemned by others for being the most heinous murderer in history, who was Genghis Khan?
The conqueror’s actual name was Temujin, and the story of his success is that of the Mongol people: a loose collection of fractious tribes who tended livestock, considered bathing taboo, and possessed an unparalleled genius for horseback warfare. United under Genghis, a strategist of astonishing cunning and versatility, they could dominate any sedentary society they chose.
And as if that wasn’t impressive enough, Genghis also acquired 23 official wives, 16 regular concubines, a huge harem, and a 17-piece all-girl orchestra. Author Frank McLynn, a well-respected historian, gives us a masterful insight into the harsh life of the Mongols, with fascinating details like the consumption of koumiss, a type of alcoholic fermented mares’ milk. There is even a special appendix devoted to the Mongol religion.
McLynn provided maps to accompany the story, with a helpful glossary of principal personalities. However, the maps are also the issue that kind of put me off the book, as they were confusing, to say the least.
For me, the maps failed in two categories. First, they aren’t detailed enough — especially those that deal with China. As I have studied geography in school, I know where the Danube and the Volga are, and can point to the approximate locations of Kiev and Vienna. However, my knowledge of the internal geography of China, on the other hand, is vague. This meant that for the chapters on the Mongols’ campaigns in China, I was going to need a guide — and the maps singularly failed to help.
Secondly, there are far too many places that are spelled one way in the text and another on the maps. Yes, there are difficulties in transcribing names from one alphabet to another, and often there is no absolutely correct version. A little consistency, on the other hand, is surely not too much to ask for.
Overall, this book is a great account of Genghis Khan and his conquests. As a known historian, McLynn can vividly capture the cultural themes of the Mongols. The early parts of the book are captivating, but moving towards the end, I find myself having to force through some sections, as the author crammed too much detail that the biography somehow felt like a history textbook.
But the most important thing is the big and important questions are tackled, such as why Genghis was so successful and why it all fell apart after the death of his talented son Ogodei.
