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Der Khan
1215 - Dschingis Khan erschüttert die Welt. Li Shan, ein Beamter des chinesischen Kaisers, gerät ins Zentrum der Ereignisse, er wird zum Vertrauten des großen Khans und zum Lehrer seiner Söhne. In seinem Gefolge zieht er von China nach Rußland bis nach Europa. Die großen Schlachten und Eroberungen des Khans stehen im Mittelpunkt dieses Romans, aber auch die Intrigen und Liebeshändel im Harem des Fürsten, denn Li Shan ist nicht nur der Diener Dschingis Khans, sondern auch der Vertraute der Damen in seinem Gefolge.
410 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
47 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
About the author
Malcolm Bosse
34 books10 followersMalcolm Joseph Bosse (May 6, 1926 – May 3, 2002) was an American author of both young adult and adult novels. His novels are often set in Asia, and have been praised for their cultural and historical information relating to the character's adventures. Bosse mostly wrote historical fiction novels after the publication of The Warlord, a historical fiction work set in 1920's China, which became a best-seller.
He also won the Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis in 1983.
Bosse was born in Detroit, Michigan and died in New York City. He was a graduate of Yale University and served in the U.S. Navy. Bosse was also an English teacher in City College of New York in Manhattan.
He also won the Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis in 1983.
Bosse was born in Detroit, Michigan and died in New York City. He was a graduate of Yale University and served in the U.S. Navy. Bosse was also an English teacher in City College of New York in Manhattan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
August 5, 2018
Years ago, I was a big fan of James Clavell. It would be hard to choose which book was my favorite between Shogun, Nobel House and Tai-Pan. When I came across Malcolm Bosse’s book in a box of books a friend gave me, I just had to sit right down and read it. Bosse has written a magnificent sweeping historical novel about China in the late 1920s. It covers everything from bandits, warlords, Chiang Kai-shek and Mao Zedong.
The book is well written and researched. I particularly like the list of principal characters at the beginning of the book as well as the maps of the area and the Heng Shui battle map. Bosse manages to pull me into the story; I can almost see and smell the countryside. If you enjoy historical novels about Asia, you will enjoy this book.
I read this as a paperback published by Bantam. It is 749 pages.
The book is well written and researched. I particularly like the list of principal characters at the beginning of the book as well as the maps of the area and the Heng Shui battle map. Bosse manages to pull me into the story; I can almost see and smell the countryside. If you enjoy historical novels about Asia, you will enjoy this book.
I read this as a paperback published by Bantam. It is 749 pages.
June 29, 2007
I think this book is really awesome, and I don't think it ever got recognized. My mom gave it to me, and it's one of the few books my mom has given me that I've read and enjoyed. At the time I was only a blossoming literature nerd, so maybe if I re-read it now I'd have a different opinion, but I really doubt it. Not a lot of stories have really stuck with me, but I remember a lot about this one, and if I hadn't lent it to a friend who never returned it, then I think I'd read it again. As is the book is a little tough to find. If you do, though, read it. There is a lot about China in it. A lot.
May 20, 2010
I do not remember where i got this book, but it really impressed me. I learned a lot reading it and that is why I am such a fan of Historical Fiction.
Read
September 30, 2022I read this 1983 novel sometime in the 1990s while enthralled with all things Asian. Set largely in the 1920s, it follows the well used and rather predictable template of a misplaced North American becoming involved with factions contending for power during that quite turbulent time for China.
The protagonist Phillip Embree and his relationship with General Tang, from whom the novel gets its title, is central to the development of the story, which has many other characters and backstories filling in the relatively rich tapestry of culture, war, politics, sex and religion which Bosse brings to play throughout this relatively long book. I did enjoy the fact that it was long!
Two episodes and one other character still stick in my memory even though its been almost three decades since I read it: Phillip has heard that Mongolian horseman have such intimate relations with their animals that they can sleep while astride them at night. His efforts to replicate this feat were semi-comical but nonetheless interesting. Then, there is General Tang’s desire to have sex with a Soo-Chow women, particularly because of the relatively weird physical contortions that she undertakes during the process, which the author takes some time to explain. Finally, the character of Vera, who is a refugee from the horrors of the Russian Civil War, was quite sympathetically drawn and engaging.
Not too bad at all.
The protagonist Phillip Embree and his relationship with General Tang, from whom the novel gets its title, is central to the development of the story, which has many other characters and backstories filling in the relatively rich tapestry of culture, war, politics, sex and religion which Bosse brings to play throughout this relatively long book. I did enjoy the fact that it was long!
Two episodes and one other character still stick in my memory even though its been almost three decades since I read it: Phillip has heard that Mongolian horseman have such intimate relations with their animals that they can sleep while astride them at night. His efforts to replicate this feat were semi-comical but nonetheless interesting. Then, there is General Tang’s desire to have sex with a Soo-Chow women, particularly because of the relatively weird physical contortions that she undertakes during the process, which the author takes some time to explain. Finally, the character of Vera, who is a refugee from the horrors of the Russian Civil War, was quite sympathetically drawn and engaging.
Not too bad at all.
March 12, 2011
The absolute best book I ever read since The Thorn Birds.
April 11, 2024
نمیدونم از کجا و چجوری شروع کنم!
چنگیزخان و قومش میلیونها نفر رو کشتند به کسی رحم نکردند و برای ایجاد رعب و ترس بود که همه جا رو با خاک یکسان و به زنان تجاوز میکردند، ولی با توجه به قانون چنگیز با بچهها کاری نداشتند مگر اینکه سدی در راه هدفشون بود. چرا که میگفت تجاوز به کودکان حسی بجز چندش و نفرت ایجاد نمیکنه.
در اواسط کتاب بودم زمانی که چنگیز به ایران حمله کرد و اون کشتار عظیم و به خاطر حماقت و غرور یک حاکم ایجاد کرد، حاکم اترار.
این حاکم ۵۰۰ نفر بازرگان مسلمان مغول رو کشت و شکنجه کرد و تنها سه نفر و زنده نگه داشت تا این خبر و به گوش چنگیز خان برسونند. هدف چنگیز خان تنها ایجاد روابط دوستانه و بازرگانی بود ولی این حاکم احمق به شاه ایران گفت که اینها جاسوسن.
این کار پادشاه ایران سلطان محمد خوارزمشاه، باعث خشم شدید چنگیزخان شد و با یک هجوم وحشیانه چنان مردم رو کشتند، شهرها رو ویران کردند، به زنها تجاوز کردند که من لحظهای کتاب رو رها کردم و به قساوت و خونخواری آدمها و بلایای که سر دیگران میارن، فکر کردم و از دل ناراحت شدم. (لحظهای خودتون رو در اون فضا تصور کنید)
از تمام اینها گذشته چنگیزخان مرد خیلی عجیبی بود مردی با چشمان سبز که تا زمان مرگ در سن هفتاد سالگی همچنان در کنار زنانش مغازله کرد و در آخرین همخوابی با جوانترین زنش، بیست روز قبل از مردنش، به مدت دو روز و دو شب از یورت بیرون نیومد و روز سوم با رضایت پا از یورت بیرون گذاشت ولی همسرش تا یک هفته دیگه خارج نشد و این کار و به تقلید از پادشاهان چینی انجام داد تا به مردمش بفهمونه که خانشون در همه امور تواناست در جنگ، مدیریت، پادشاهی و مغازله با زنان...
مردی که تحصیل نداشت ولی بسیار باهوش و زیرک و فهمیده بود. انگار خون اشرافزادگان در رگهاش جاری بود. این مرد هیچ وقت بیاساس به جایی حمله نمیکرد یا مردم و صرفا برای لذت نمیکشت. هیچ وقت در مواقع عصبانیت تصمیم نمیگرفت. زنا و لواط رو حروم اعلام کرده و براش مجازات تعیین کرده بود. پدر سالار بود و کافی بود معلم پسرانش که مسئول آموزش زبان چینی به اونها بود، از سرنارضایتی میگفت به پدرتون میگم و همین حرف اونها رو رام میکرد.
اعتقاد راسخی به خدای خودش داشت، خدای ابدی آبی آسمانها.
همین قدر براتون بگم که مغولها به شدت وحشی و بیفرهنگ بودن بطوریکه بوی گندشون حتی سگها رو فراری میداد. با مقوله شستن بدن موافق نبودند و حتی زنان بلندپایه در مقابل دیگران باد معده خارج میکردند (بعضیهاشون)
ولی یک بار چنگیز خان در جمع مشاوران و فرماندهان بر اثر خوردن قمیز که یک نوع مشروب سنتی خودشون بود خواست آروغ بزنه که دستش رو جلوی دهانش گرفت. بغیر از مواقع جنگ، رفتاری محترمانه با همه داشت. از خوردن افراطی مشروب پرهیز میکرد. دستور داده بود کاری به علما ادیان نداشته باشن، هیچ دینی رو تحمیل نکرد، صنعتگران و صاحبان فن رو نمیکشت و فکر کنم تیمورخان هم به تبعیت از چنگیز چنین قوانینی رو برای خودش وضع کرده بود.
و زمانی که مرد، پسرش اون رو به صورت عمودی با لباس نظامی به همراه ۹ زن جوان و ۹ اسب با قمیز و دیگر وسایل خاک کرد و هر کسی که سر راه دید، کسانی که مسئول کندن قبر بودند، سربازانی که همراهیشون کردند، رو کشت و تنها چند نفر از محل دفن چنگیزخان آگاهی داشتند که هیچوقت این راز و برملا نکردند.
چنگیزخان کسی بود که انقدر شهامت و شجاعت داشت که وقتی در سن ده سالگی دختر یکی از خانها رو دید همونجا ازش خواستگاری کرد،
از همسر اولش که بورته اوجین که ۹ سال داشت و گفت تا زمانی که بزرگ شدم و برگشتم این دختر برای من.
این مرد خودساخته بود و من فکر میکنم هیچ آموزگاری، هیچ دانشگاهی مثل زندگی، به آدم درس نمیده و چنگیز کسی بود که برای کشته نشدن مجبور شد به همراه مادر و برادرش فرار کنه و به دور از مردم زندگی کنه و زمانی که بزرگ شد رفته رفته قدرت رو به دست گرفت و امپراطوریش و گسترش داد.
این رو هم بگم که پسر سلطان محمد چنان رشادتی از خودش نشون داد در مقابل مغولها که چنگیزخان مجبور شد شخصا برای کشتن اون بره و زمانی که این شاهزاده جوان در محاصره قرار گرفت خودش رو به قلب سپاه دشمن زد و از بالای کوه با همراه اسبش به رودخانه پرید. زمانی که تیراندازان خواستند به سمتش تیر پرتاپ کنند، چنگیزخان ممانعت کرد و گفت خوشا به حال پدری که چنین فرزند شجاعی داره.
(پدرش در حال فرار از دست مغولها یک و تنها در یک کلبه مرد)
هنوز هم در مغولستان از چنگیزخان با نیکی یاد میکنن و پیکره و عکسهاش همه جا هست.
این چندمین کتابی که از مترجم توانا آقای جواد سید اشرف میخونم که واقعا ترجمههای عالی داره، دایره لغات فراوانش باعث نثری زیبا و بدون سکته در جملهبندیهاش میشه که خوندن رو برای خواننده لذتبخش میکنه. انتخابهایی عالی که باعث میشه خواننده از خوندن کتاب خسته نشه. کتابها رو از زبان آلمانی به فارسی ترجمه میکنه
دختر مغول، مفتش و راهبه، یوحنا پاپ مونث، سلطانه و خان جهانگیر کتابهای هستن که از این بزرگوار عزیز مطالعه کردم.
چنگیزخان و قومش میلیونها نفر رو کشتند به کسی رحم نکردند و برای ایجاد رعب و ترس بود که همه جا رو با خاک یکسان و به زنان تجاوز میکردند، ولی با توجه به قانون چنگیز با بچهها کاری نداشتند مگر اینکه سدی در راه هدفشون بود. چرا که میگفت تجاوز به کودکان حسی بجز چندش و نفرت ایجاد نمیکنه.
در اواسط کتاب بودم زمانی که چنگیز به ایران حمله کرد و اون کشتار عظیم و به خاطر حماقت و غرور یک حاکم ایجاد کرد، حاکم اترار.
این حاکم ۵۰۰ نفر بازرگان مسلمان مغول رو کشت و شکنجه کرد و تنها سه نفر و زنده نگه داشت تا این خبر و به گوش چنگیز خان برسونند. هدف چنگیز خان تنها ایجاد روابط دوستانه و بازرگانی بود ولی این حاکم احمق به شاه ایران گفت که اینها جاسوسن.
این کار پادشاه ایران سلطان محمد خوارزمشاه، باعث خشم شدید چنگیزخان شد و با یک هجوم وحشیانه چنان مردم رو کشتند، شهرها رو ویران کردند، به زنها تجاوز کردند که من لحظهای کتاب رو رها کردم و به قساوت و خونخواری آدمها و بلایای که سر دیگران میارن، فکر کردم و از دل ناراحت شدم. (لحظهای خودتون رو در اون فضا تصور کنید)
از تمام اینها گذشته چنگیزخان مرد خیلی عجیبی بود مردی با چشمان سبز که تا زمان مرگ در سن هفتاد سالگی همچنان در کنار زنانش مغازله کرد و در آخرین همخوابی با جوانترین زنش، بیست روز قبل از مردنش، به مدت دو روز و دو شب از یورت بیرون نیومد و روز سوم با رضایت پا از یورت بیرون گذاشت ولی همسرش تا یک هفته دیگه خارج نشد و این کار و به تقلید از پادشاهان چینی انجام داد تا به مردمش بفهمونه که خانشون در همه امور تواناست در جنگ، مدیریت، پادشاهی و مغازله با زنان...
مردی که تحصیل نداشت ولی بسیار باهوش و زیرک و فهمیده بود. انگار خون اشرافزادگان در رگهاش جاری بود. این مرد هیچ وقت بیاساس به جایی حمله نمیکرد یا مردم و صرفا برای لذت نمیکشت. هیچ وقت در مواقع عصبانیت تصمیم نمیگرفت. زنا و لواط رو حروم اعلام کرده و براش مجازات تعیین کرده بود. پدر سالار بود و کافی بود معلم پسرانش که مسئول آموزش زبان چینی به اونها بود، از سرنارضایتی میگفت به پدرتون میگم و همین حرف اونها رو رام میکرد.
اعتقاد راسخی به خدای خودش داشت، خدای ابدی آبی آسمانها.
همین قدر براتون بگم که مغولها به شدت وحشی و بیفرهنگ بودن بطوریکه بوی گندشون حتی سگها رو فراری میداد. با مقوله شستن بدن موافق نبودند و حتی زنان بلندپایه در مقابل دیگران باد معده خارج میکردند (بعضیهاشون)
ولی یک بار چنگیز خان در جمع مشاوران و فرماندهان بر اثر خوردن قمیز که یک نوع مشروب سنتی خودشون بود خواست آروغ بزنه که دستش رو جلوی دهانش گرفت. بغیر از مواقع جنگ، رفتاری محترمانه با همه داشت. از خوردن افراطی مشروب پرهیز میکرد. دستور داده بود کاری به علما ادیان نداشته باشن، هیچ دینی رو تحمیل نکرد، صنعتگران و صاحبان فن رو نمیکشت و فکر کنم تیمورخان هم به تبعیت از چنگیز چنین قوانینی رو برای خودش وضع کرده بود.
و زمانی که مرد، پسرش اون رو به صورت عمودی با لباس نظامی به همراه ۹ زن جوان و ۹ اسب با قمیز و دیگر وسایل خاک کرد و هر کسی که سر راه دید، کسانی که مسئول کندن قبر بودند، سربازانی که همراهیشون کردند، رو کشت و تنها چند نفر از محل دفن چنگیزخان آگاهی داشتند که هیچوقت این راز و برملا نکردند.
چنگیزخان کسی بود که انقدر شهامت و شجاعت داشت که وقتی در سن ده سالگی دختر یکی از خانها رو دید همونجا ازش خواستگاری کرد،
از همسر اولش که بورته اوجین که ۹ سال داشت و گفت تا زمانی که بزرگ شدم و برگشتم این دختر برای من.
این مرد خودساخته بود و من فکر میکنم هیچ آموزگاری، هیچ دانشگاهی مثل زندگی، به آدم درس نمیده و چنگیز کسی بود که برای کشته نشدن مجبور شد به همراه مادر و برادرش فرار کنه و به دور از مردم زندگی کنه و زمانی که بزرگ شد رفته رفته قدرت رو به دست گرفت و امپراطوریش و گسترش داد.
این رو هم بگم که پسر سلطان محمد چنان رشادتی از خودش نشون داد در مقابل مغولها که چنگیزخان مجبور شد شخصا برای کشتن اون بره و زمانی که این شاهزاده جوان در محاصره قرار گرفت خودش رو به قلب سپاه دشمن زد و از بالای کوه با همراه اسبش به رودخانه پرید. زمانی که تیراندازان خواستند به سمتش تیر پرتاپ کنند، چنگیزخان ممانعت کرد و گفت خوشا به حال پدری که چنین فرزند شجاعی داره.
(پدرش در حال فرار از دست مغولها یک و تنها در یک کلبه مرد)
هنوز هم در مغولستان از چنگیزخان با نیکی یاد میکنن و پیکره و عکسهاش همه جا هست.
این چندمین کتابی که از مترجم توانا آقای جواد سید اشرف میخونم که واقعا ترجمههای عالی داره، دایره لغات فراوانش باعث نثری زیبا و بدون سکته در جملهبندیهاش میشه که خوندن رو برای خواننده لذتبخش میکنه. انتخابهایی عالی که باعث میشه خواننده از خوندن کتاب خسته نشه. کتابها رو از زبان آلمانی به فارسی ترجمه میکنه
دختر مغول، مفتش و راهبه، یوحنا پاپ مونث، سلطانه و خان جهانگیر کتابهای هستن که از این بزرگوار عزیز مطالعه کردم.
December 31, 2018
Five main characters but a lot of different stories. This book starts with one of those characters, Phillip Embree is an American missionary going to his assignment in China. While on a train travelling to his destination, the train gets hijacked by bandits. They took Embree and another foreign outside as hostage while two Chinese officers are decapitated. Embree is intrigued by this wild life which deviates from his father's grip of control. Typical religious family upbringing vs someone who wants to be a free spirit.
Following the bandits (as if he has any other choice) they go raid a village where Embree witnesses a savage rape and saves the commandos life. Bandits get killed by General Tang, the Warlord, who is avenging the deaths of his two deputies.
Honestly there are a bunch of other stories that intertwine a little with one another. Some characters I really didn't care for like Vera's. She was good for two chapters and then it got old. It was her detailing the sad sad life and the crap she experienced from the Russian Civil War. I ended up fast reading any chapters that are from her PoV. The important stuff that I actually cared about in her chapters came toward the end of the chapter.
As with the title of the book implies I was interested in the chapters concerning Tang and Embree. This is a massive book that details into Historical Fiction and even details into Chinese Culture. The following is an excerpt of the knowledge of Chinese Culture Bosse writes about:
"That night, if he knows China, the household patriarch will welcome the Kitchen God, read a complimentary scroll-- or pretend to if he can't read-- then burn the paper and thereby send the words to Heaven. Before they go to sleep, everyone in the family will place the soles of his shoes upward, so the Demon of Disease can't plant evil germs in them."
Keep in mind that this is barely a paragraph and there are many many more historical descriptions in this novel. I am a history buff and this book did make me do some research to freshen up on some material. There were even famous Chinese artwork that he describes and the meaning behind them.
Too many stories that go into massive detail about little stuff that is not important to the overall main novel disqualify it from earning a higher rating. There is everything packed in this novel from father-son conflict to detailed torture scenes to a Death Race and finally to "biting clouds".
3/5
Following the bandits (as if he has any other choice) they go raid a village where Embree witnesses a savage rape and saves the commandos life. Bandits get killed by General Tang, the Warlord, who is avenging the deaths of his two deputies.
Honestly there are a bunch of other stories that intertwine a little with one another. Some characters I really didn't care for like Vera's. She was good for two chapters and then it got old. It was her detailing the sad sad life and the crap she experienced from the Russian Civil War. I ended up fast reading any chapters that are from her PoV. The important stuff that I actually cared about in her chapters came toward the end of the chapter.
As with the title of the book implies I was interested in the chapters concerning Tang and Embree. This is a massive book that details into Historical Fiction and even details into Chinese Culture. The following is an excerpt of the knowledge of Chinese Culture Bosse writes about:
"That night, if he knows China, the household patriarch will welcome the Kitchen God, read a complimentary scroll-- or pretend to if he can't read-- then burn the paper and thereby send the words to Heaven. Before they go to sleep, everyone in the family will place the soles of his shoes upward, so the Demon of Disease can't plant evil germs in them."
Keep in mind that this is barely a paragraph and there are many many more historical descriptions in this novel. I am a history buff and this book did make me do some research to freshen up on some material. There were even famous Chinese artwork that he describes and the meaning behind them.
Too many stories that go into massive detail about little stuff that is not important to the overall main novel disqualify it from earning a higher rating. There is everything packed in this novel from father-son conflict to detailed torture scenes to a Death Race and finally to "biting clouds".
3/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 15, 2016
I thought this might be an interesting book. After all, a historical novel set in China during the 1920s and 1930s could be rather interesting. The writing style was so horrible that I gave up after about 5 pages. It was written in present tense, which is a valid approach, but this was so stilted as to seem false.
I gave the book another chance a week or so later, jumping into its middle. Again the horrible writing style turned me off so much that I dropped out after only a page or two.
This book claims to be an addition to the canon of Asian-saga novels such as those of James Clavell (three or four of whose books I've read and enjoyed thoroughly), but given the horrible writing style, that bit of flack is very much *not even remotely* true. It saddens me that marketing charlatans get paid to write such crap on book covers. Like all professional liars, they deserve public flogging.
I gave the book another chance a week or so later, jumping into its middle. Again the horrible writing style turned me off so much that I dropped out after only a page or two.
This book claims to be an addition to the canon of Asian-saga novels such as those of James Clavell (three or four of whose books I've read and enjoyed thoroughly), but given the horrible writing style, that bit of flack is very much *not even remotely* true. It saddens me that marketing charlatans get paid to write such crap on book covers. Like all professional liars, they deserve public flogging.
July 4, 2011
Phillip Embre went to China in 1927 to become a missionary. Became involved with a gang of bandits who were killed and then attached himself to their killers, General Tang. History interwoven – Copmmunist efforts, Mao Tse-tung as a young man, Chaing Kai-shek, , and many other people of the era. I heard such stories from a neighbor who lived in China in the 20's and 30's - wishing I had a clearer memory of those stories she told.
June 25, 2007
I don't know anything about China's history, but this book made me yearn to be there and to know more. It's a beautifully written book that seems to step outside of the common tourist's point of view but yet maintain the Eastern mysticism.
September 27, 2020
متاسفانه نمیدونم جرا کتاب شناخته شده ای نیست..من نتونستم سندی مبنی بر صحت داشتن داستان کتاب پیدا کنم ولی چیزی که هست اینه که کلیات درسته ولی جزییات قابل اعتماد نیست با این حال به نظرم ارزش خواندن داره و تاریخ مغول ها رو به طرز جالبی نشون داده
September 26, 2013
Gotta love historical fiction where learning is a fun experience. Great book.
January 14, 2023
"Οι πολέμαρχοι", εκδόσεις Bell.
Μιας και φέτος αποφάσισα να διαβάσω πολλά τούβλα, ανάμεσα στα οποία και κλασικά μυθιστορήματα αλλά και περιπέτειες σε εξωτικά μέρη, είπα να πιάσω και αυτό, που το καημένο με περίμενε για καιρό σε κάτι ντάνες που έχω με δεκάδες βιβλία τσέπης. Λοιπόν, πρόκειται για ένα απολαυστικό και χορταστικό ιστορικό/πολεμικό/κοινωνικό δράμα, η ιστορία του οποίου διαδραματίζεται στην χαοτική Κίνα του 1927, στις αρχές δηλαδή του Κινεζικού εμφυλίου πολέμου. Τρεις βασικοί πρωταγωνιστές είναι ένας Κινέζος πολέμαρχος, ένας νεαρός Αμερικανός ιεραπόστολος που θέλει να ζήσει μια μεγάλη περιπέτεια και μια Ρωσίδα πόρνη, που διέφυγε πριν από χρόνια από την πατρίδα της όντας Λευκή. Φυσικά υπάρχουν και δεκάδες άλλοι χαρακτήρες, λιγότερο ή περισσότερο ενδιαφέροντες, αλλά αυτοί οι τρεις είναι οι βασικοί. Βέβαια, η μεγαλύτερη πρωταγωνίστρια του βιβλίου, είναι η ίδια η Κίνα, με τα απίστευτα τοπία, την χαώδη έκτασή της, την ακόμα πιο χαώδη πολιτική κατάστασή της, με τις συνωμοσίες, τις διαμάχες, τους πολέμαρχους, τις συμμορίες, τους ληστές των μεγάλων επαρχιών, τους κούληδες και τους χωρικούς, τους Εθνικιστές και τους Κομμουνιστές, τους Γιαπωνέζους και τους Δυτικούς. Ο κακός χαμός γίνεται, η ιστορία πηγαίνει λίγο από δω και λίγο από εκεί, ένα κάποιο μπέρδεμα σε διάφορα σημεία μπορεί και να υπάρχει με όλους αυτούς τους πολέμαρχους και τις συμμαχίες και τις διαφορές τους (αλλά και τα ονόματά τους!), αλλά γενικά πρόκειται για ένα συναρπαστικό μυθιστόρημα γεμάτο ζωή, γεμάτο εικόνες κάθε είδους. Και η γραφή είναι επίσης πολύ καλή, αρκετά χειμαρρώδης και εθιστική, σίγουρα ο συγγραφέας με τις περιγραφές του κατάφερε να με μεταφέρει στην Κίνα του 1927, αλλά και να με βάλει στη διαδικασία να ψάξω διάφορα πράγματα σχετικά με τη σύγχρονη ιστορία της χώρας (στο βιβλίο αναφέρονται ή/και συμμετέχουν και πραγματικά πρόσωπα). Ωραίο βιβλίο, το προτείνω σε όσους θέλουν ένα γλαφυρό ιστορικό δράμα, ουσιαστικά για λεπτομέρειες δεν τσιμπάει και πέμπτο αστεράκι από μένα.
Μιας και φέτος αποφάσισα να διαβάσω πολλά τούβλα, ανάμεσα στα οποία και κλασικά μυθιστορήματα αλλά και περιπέτειες σε εξωτικά μέρη, είπα να πιάσω και αυτό, που το καημένο με περίμενε για καιρό σε κάτι ντάνες που έχω με δεκάδες βιβλία τσέπης. Λοιπόν, πρόκειται για ένα απολαυστικό και χορταστικό ιστορικό/πολεμικό/κοινωνικό δράμα, η ιστορία του οποίου διαδραματίζεται στην χαοτική Κίνα του 1927, στις αρχές δηλαδή του Κινεζικού εμφυλίου πολέμου. Τρεις βασικοί πρωταγωνιστές είναι ένας Κινέζος πολέμαρχος, ένας νεαρός Αμερικανός ιεραπόστολος που θέλει να ζήσει μια μεγάλη περιπέτεια και μια Ρωσίδα πόρνη, που διέφυγε πριν από χρόνια από την πατρίδα της όντας Λευκή. Φυσικά υπάρχουν και δεκάδες άλλοι χαρακτήρες, λιγότερο ή περισσότερο ενδιαφέροντες, αλλά αυτοί οι τρεις είναι οι βασικοί. Βέβαια, η μεγαλύτερη πρωταγωνίστρια του βιβλίου, είναι η ίδια η Κίνα, με τα απίστευτα τοπία, την χαώδη έκτασή της, την ακόμα πιο χαώδη πολιτική κατάστασή της, με τις συνωμοσίες, τις διαμάχες, τους πολέμαρχους, τις συμμορίες, τους ληστές των μεγάλων επαρχιών, τους κούληδες και τους χωρικούς, τους Εθνικιστές και τους Κομμουνιστές, τους Γιαπωνέζους και τους Δυτικούς. Ο κακός χαμός γίνεται, η ιστορία πηγαίνει λίγο από δω και λίγο από εκεί, ένα κάποιο μπέρδεμα σε διάφορα σημεία μπορεί και να υπάρχει με όλους αυτούς τους πολέμαρχους και τις συμμαχίες και τις διαφορές τους (αλλά και τα ονόματά τους!), αλλά γενικά πρόκειται για ένα συναρπαστικό μυθιστόρημα γεμάτο ζωή, γεμάτο εικόνες κάθε είδους. Και η γραφή είναι επίσης πολύ καλή, αρκετά χειμαρρώδης και εθιστική, σίγουρα ο συγγραφέας με τις περιγραφές του κατάφερε να με μεταφέρει στην Κίνα του 1927, αλλά και να με βάλει στη διαδικασία να ψάξω διάφορα πράγματα σχετικά με τη σύγχρονη ιστορία της χώρας (στο βιβλίο αναφέρονται ή/και συμμετέχουν και πραγματικά πρόσωπα). Ωραίο βιβλίο, το προτείνω σε όσους θέλουν ένα γλαφυρό ιστορικό δράμα, ουσιαστικά για λεπτομέρειες δεν τσιμπάει και πέμπτο αστεράκι από μένα.
March 22, 2022
L'idea centrale del libro è quella del ruolo della conversione.
Il giovane missionario americano Phillip arriva in Cina per diffondere la buona novella, ma viene catturato da briganti e si accorge che adora combattere. Finirà poi nelle mani del generale Tang, in guerra con altri generali per il controllo della Cina tra conservatori e filonipponici.
La storia di Tang e Phillip si incrocia a causa di una donna russa.
Lei ha un passato tragico, e si accompagna ad un mercante di armi tedesco in affari con Tang.
SPOILER MODERATO PIÙ AVANTI
La russa si accosterà a Tang, e dal mercante opportunista passerà ad amare l'integrità guerriera di Tang.
Tang vince qualche battaglia, nelle quali combatte anche Philip. Tang tuttavia è ormai allo stremo. L'esercito ormai stanco ha sconfitto un nemico, ma altri approfittano delle debolezze e dei tempi di recupero impossibili per distruggerlo.
SPOILER PESANTE
Tang verrà ucciso. Philip, ormai convertito allo spirito guerriero, si rivela innamorato della russa, che decide di seguirlo e di sperare.
Noto che ricordo abbastanza bene il libro nonostante siano passati 5 anni dalla lettura.
Un libro insieme informativo in senso storico e buono in senso letterario. Perché 3 stelle? Il coinvolgimento è costante, ma moderato. Le idee implicate sono piuttosto sfumate e la resa storica le copre. Penso comunque che chi apprezza i romanzi storici lo troverà molto bello.
Il giovane missionario americano Phillip arriva in Cina per diffondere la buona novella, ma viene catturato da briganti e si accorge che adora combattere. Finirà poi nelle mani del generale Tang, in guerra con altri generali per il controllo della Cina tra conservatori e filonipponici.
La storia di Tang e Phillip si incrocia a causa di una donna russa.
Lei ha un passato tragico, e si accompagna ad un mercante di armi tedesco in affari con Tang.
SPOILER MODERATO PIÙ AVANTI
La russa si accosterà a Tang, e dal mercante opportunista passerà ad amare l'integrità guerriera di Tang.
Tang vince qualche battaglia, nelle quali combatte anche Philip. Tang tuttavia è ormai allo stremo. L'esercito ormai stanco ha sconfitto un nemico, ma altri approfittano delle debolezze e dei tempi di recupero impossibili per distruggerlo.
SPOILER PESANTE
Tang verrà ucciso. Philip, ormai convertito allo spirito guerriero, si rivela innamorato della russa, che decide di seguirlo e di sperare.
Noto che ricordo abbastanza bene il libro nonostante siano passati 5 anni dalla lettura.
Un libro insieme informativo in senso storico e buono in senso letterario. Perché 3 stelle? Il coinvolgimento è costante, ma moderato. Le idee implicate sono piuttosto sfumate e la resa storica le copre. Penso comunque che chi apprezza i romanzi storici lo troverà molto bello.
August 24, 2022
Author heavily indexed on introspective thoughts of each character with long paragraphs describing in details inner most thoughts of each of the characters. Interesting story steeped in historical facts referencing historical figures. Was expecting a different ending, or more accurately stated, an ending that provided insight into how the main protagonists vision for China played out in the long-run. You would have to do some research into the shaping of Chinese politics and how it unfolded in the 1920's and 30's to determine what eventually happened in the shaping of Chinese politics. The author spent 717 pages describing, sometimes painstakingly, the current political atmosphere - he certainly could have added a few more pages to describe what happened in the end, and how the political framework unfolded.
August 1, 2024
I have read a good many fiction and non-fiction books on China and this one fills a gap in my knowledge base. Set in 1927 China after Sun-Yat Sen passed and before Mao consolidated power, this novel realistically takes place when there was a power vacuum. So much wonderful detail conveyed through the fictional characters of an American, a White Russian, a Bolshevik, several Chinese warlords, a German arms dealer, and numerous other Chinese characters. Life was so hard and unstable and unpredictable then, for everybody. Nobody was immune to the deleterious effects of a truly fractured society. Absolutely fascinating and so well written.
April 27, 2023
Reading this book can be really exhausting. Switches between 5 POVs (Embree, Tang, Vera, Kovalic, Luckner). As I was halfway through the book, I was wishing that there were less POVs, however, I was really satisfied with the ending for each character. The story is really good. One bad thing is that a lot of the Chinese names are super similar so it’s easy to mix up characters. I wish there was more time with White Wolf and the bandits. Very good story overall and a good history lesson for a overlooked period of time.
April 22, 2025
Interesting read which as I love history caused me to read up about China during the time period of this book. It's a very descriptive story and tells the story from 5 different persons perspectives, each with there own agenda. As 4 of the Characters are foreigners you can see how their presents affects a country when they bring their morals to bare but it's the country and people that suffer.
March 26, 2025
I read this book 20 years ago & found it very good. As I was waking up I remembered its author's name this morning - after many many times lamenting having forgotten it. But it's very sad I couldn't find this author on Libby to listen to The Warlord as an audiobook.
November 22, 2018
Way too political, with too many betrayals for me to really like. A decent read, but not something that I will read again. Also not likely to search for anymore books by this author either.
October 10, 2020
Excellent
I liked the cover design . The first page was well written so got my attention. Plus the imagery was good.
I liked the cover design . The first page was well written so got my attention. Plus the imagery was good.
September 22, 2022
Long and very good novel. Read in Norwegian (title: Ildblomsten)
March 18, 2023
Very good. Not quite great. A little bit of a look at the struggle within China to define its identity post World War I.
August 8, 2025
Επικό βιβλίο παλαιάς κοπής,λίγο φλύαρο αλλά μου άρεσε
November 6, 2020
Jeg begynte å lese på denne boken da jeg dro til Kina i sommer, og siden handligen er lagt til Kina gjorde det det litt ekstra gøy å lese. Små detaljer, som navnet på byer eller regioner, som var nevnt i boken og som jeg hadde hørt om eller til og med besøkt, gjorde det gøyere å lese enn om jeg ikke hadde kjent til det, men det er ikke noen forutsetning for å kunne lese denne boken.
Til tross for denne ekstra forbindelsen jeg hadde til boken, tok det meg mye lengre tid enn forventet å bli ferdig med den. Dette er en tykk bok, med tettskrevne sider, og ganske tung å lese. Til tider er den veldig spennende, med god driv, men jeg følte likevel at den hadde det med å stagne opp innimellom. Den ga meg en følelse av at mye av det som hendte hendte kun i kulissene, og ble bare snakket om i ettertid uten at vi fikk ta del i det. Bosse hopper mellom fortellerpersoner i boken, og hopper også over lengre tidsperioder innimellom. Det gjorde at jeg følte jeg gikk glipp av mye.
Alt i alt er det ingen dårlig bok; den er godt skrevet, men jeg følte ikke historien ga meg så mye som den kunne ha gitt. I tillegg følte jeg at slutten var noe ufullstendig. Kanskje burde jeg lese boken en gang til for å forstå hele historien; det at jeg har brukt så lang tid på å lese den, gått uker uten å lese i det hele tatt, kan være noe av grunnen til at jeg føler det på denne måten.
Spesielt mennesker med kjennskap til Kina og kinesisk historie vil nok like denne boken, og også om du liker politiske dramaer. Men for meg gikk det av og til litt for lenge mellom at ting faktisk hendte, og det var litt for mye av historien som foregikk i bakgrunnen til at denne boken når helt til topps hos meg.
Til tross for denne ekstra forbindelsen jeg hadde til boken, tok det meg mye lengre tid enn forventet å bli ferdig med den. Dette er en tykk bok, med tettskrevne sider, og ganske tung å lese. Til tider er den veldig spennende, med god driv, men jeg følte likevel at den hadde det med å stagne opp innimellom. Den ga meg en følelse av at mye av det som hendte hendte kun i kulissene, og ble bare snakket om i ettertid uten at vi fikk ta del i det. Bosse hopper mellom fortellerpersoner i boken, og hopper også over lengre tidsperioder innimellom. Det gjorde at jeg følte jeg gikk glipp av mye.
Alt i alt er det ingen dårlig bok; den er godt skrevet, men jeg følte ikke historien ga meg så mye som den kunne ha gitt. I tillegg følte jeg at slutten var noe ufullstendig. Kanskje burde jeg lese boken en gang til for å forstå hele historien; det at jeg har brukt så lang tid på å lese den, gått uker uten å lese i det hele tatt, kan være noe av grunnen til at jeg føler det på denne måten.
Spesielt mennesker med kjennskap til Kina og kinesisk historie vil nok like denne boken, og også om du liker politiske dramaer. Men for meg gikk det av og til litt for lenge mellom at ting faktisk hendte, og det var litt for mye av historien som foregikk i bakgrunnen til at denne boken når helt til topps hos meg.
May 22, 2016
Published 1983. I just love books from the early eighties, especially epic novels of this genre. These books can be like taking a course, you end up learning quite a bit. I really am fuzzy on the formation and politics of China but this book simply put me on the path to more confusion. It has a protagonist who is an American guy who is going to china because he had a bad relationship with his father. He becomes known as the man with a scar. He paints a vivid picture of being torn between the Christian values of his youth and the growing notion of life being a violent, random, mess of nothing. Which is kind of imperialistic and dismissive of the people he encounters (especially women, ok this is the eighties remember?) Then he becomes friends with this general, and he joins his army. There are some other stories going on at the same time, a Russian woman describes her adventures in China, which involve brothels and deception. She seduces the General. And then a whole bunch of other stuff happens, over the next 700 pages. Some of it is really good story telling and other parts are just kind of, ok I get what you are trying to do here.
April 23, 2022
The German translation of an unknown book by American author Malcolm J. Bosse is a tale on Temudschin's rising from being a Mongol warlord to Dschingis Khan from a Chinese point of view. It is a fluent reading thematically spreading between history, Chinese philosophy, Mongol family ties, love and war. Unfortunately, there are some anachronistical spots in European weaponry, but these points are so minimal and just acknowledgeable for experts, most readers can relish on this novel in it's whole length.
November 28, 2011
Read this just before "The Good Earth". A very different look at China at the same time in it's history. Historical fiction in the vein of "Tai Pan" and very entertaining. Takes place in the Warlord period of the late 1920's and includes many real figures and events. Slightly diminished by the romance/sex stuff. Nice that the young American was not presented in the greatest light. Ethically compromised by lust. Typical!
Read
May 5, 2008This was something my father left. My father's tastes diverge wildly from mine in the matter of fiction (we like most of the same non-fiction, or used to), so, to be frank, I had expected this to be a piece of stupendous crap. I was very pleasantly surprised.
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