Genghis khan biography lamb

Harold Lamb writes a very compelling report, in narrative story form, about the birth, life and death of Kahn.
750 years ago, Genghis Khan, the great Mongolian war lord conquered half the world.
Traces the life of the chief of the small Mongol tribe who established a vast empire from Peking to the Black Sea in the twelfth century.

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Genghis Khan and the Mongol Horde

"Genghis Khan and the Mongol Horde" is a book by Harold Lamb about the rise of one of the greatest empires in history. It is a well written book with plenty of details. It is also informative and covers the subject well. Genghis Khan was one of the most successful rulers in history. His empire stretched from the Pacific Coast of China to Russia and the Middle East. Yet he started as a humble nomad moving from place to place in the icy steppe. Genghis Khan and the Mongol Horde covers all the fine points of the ruler's reign. It names all of his top advisers and his worst enemies. It gives details of military tactics and even the clothing of the period. It taught me new things about Asia and increased my knowledge of Genghis Khan. This book is a nonfiction book that is written like a novel. The writing is smooth, well put together, and engaging. It helps you imagine what life was like in the Mongol era.

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The death of Genghis Khan in 1227 marked a seismic shift in the history of the world. Even in death, his influence did not wane; rather, it extended into the generations that followed, shaping the course of entire nations and altering the geopolitical landscape in ways that would be felt for centuries. Genghis Khan's legacy is a multifaceted one, encompassing the immense empire he built, the succession strategies he employed, and the long-term impacts of his conquests. Upon his death, Genghis Khan had meticulously planned the division of his vast empire among his sons and grandsons to ensure its continuity. His four sons with his primary wife Börte—Jochi, Chagatai, Ogedei, and Tolui—were each allocated substantial territories to govern. This division was not just a spontaneous act; it was a calculated move designed to maintain the unity and strength of the Mongol Empire despite the geographical expanses that could have easily led to fragmentation. Ogedei, the third son, was chosen to be the Great Khan, the supreme ruler, a testament to the meritocratic principles Genghis had estab

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Although published now nearly a century ago – in 1927 – Harold Lamb’s highly successful biography Genghis Khan: Emperor of All Men is still well worth a read.

Written in a style typical of history books of the period – strong on narrative accounts, weak on sourcing of evidence and heavily concentrating on individuals and military events rather than longer-term social and economic trends – it provides a lively and, by current standards, still reasonably accurate account of Genghis Khan’s rise and dominance as leader of the Monguls.

Given Khan’s record of large scale butchery of opponents – both military and civilian – no biography is ever going to portray him that nicely. But Lamb shows how he was a slightly more rounded character, pointing out how much of our knowledge of Khan rests on accounts written by his enemies and that religious toleration was a major feature of Khan’s rule – as was an emphasis on appointing military commanders based on expertise. This modest degree of meritocracy often gave the Mongols a