Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World

By: Jack Weatherford

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis, Jack Weatherford

Length: 14 hrs and 20 mins

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.

Listen to An Interview with Author Jack Weatherford.

©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)

Absolutely fasinating!

Would you consider the audio edition of Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World to be better than the print version?

Yes. Is a long book but very well read.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Genghis Khan

What about Jonathan Davis and Jack Weatherford ’s performance did you like?

Easy to hear and understand their pronunciation.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Discussion of governing principles and incorporation of various aspects of each culture group they conquered.

Fascinating book.

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

Great story telling, understanding this history and time period. I had it all wrong. The value to mankind from this time period and the cornerstones placed in civilization.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Time.

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

Wonderment. Have to keep moving at work right now, if I didn't have the audio book I would not have been able to read the book. So this was a blessing.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I was moved all through it. Hours came and went and seemed like seconds.

Any additional comments?

I wish everyone could hear this remarkable story. I will listen to it again. Very grateful to all that contributed to this project and for helping me to be more aware of this earlier beginning.

A history of the Mongol world

What did you love best about Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World?

It was very informative, giving an insight into one of the most influential civilizations of the last two thousand years.

A tour de force

Where does Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The product of decades of individual and team research, this history of Genghis Khan and the Mongol influence is a marvelous work. It is a major contribution to perspective on the development of western as well as eastern culture.

Incredible

The latter half of the book detailing how his life impacted the world is even more interesting than his life. This big offered so much more than what I was expecting.

stoked

i couldnt stop listening. and ive known bout them a long time now..
brilliant generals...we would do well to study them more indepth...vietnam russia etc

A good book to put other histories together.

This book is one of the ones that brings other histories together. When you read other stories that say “then came Genghis khan”, now I know what that means.

Enjoyable reading and highly informative

I thoroughly recommend this book for anyone that enjoys learning about history. Gengis Khan is one of the great men of history, and most of us know nothing about it, so sit back, learn and enjoy.

Absolutely incredible story...

It is truly hard to believe all this happened and missing from common western history books

the little bit I thought I knew was all wrong

Absolutely fascinating history, perfect narration.
Whenever I see pictures of the medieval walled cities in the old world, I always shiver, imagining their purpose to protect the inhabitants from the "Mongol hordes" or "bands of marauding Tatars" as we were taught in school. Yes, the Mongols and Tatars were ruthless and to be feared, but that is only a speck of the real story. Listening to this audio book, the bit I knew of Genghis Khan and the Mongols has been turned up-side-down and spun around. I see that I previously knew less than nothing, as the little bit I thought I knew was all wrong.
Right up to the last chapters, where we see the influence of the Mongols and their empire, the Making of the Modern World part, it is always interesting. And his story continues, even today, with our modern societies fighting over Genghis Khan's image and legacy. Great history, well written, perfectly narrated, highly recommended.