Genghis Khan's Greatest General: Subotai the Valiant

by Richard A. Gabriel

This book tells the story of Subotai the Valiant, a warrior for Genghis Khan and one of the greatest generals in military history. Subotai commanded armies whose size, scale, and scope of operations surpassed those led by any other commander in the ancient world. Under Subotai’s direction, Mongol armies moved faster, over greater distances, and with a greater scope of maneuver than any army had ever done before.

When Subotai died at age seventy-three, he had conquered thirty-two nations and won sixty-five pitched battles, according to Muslim historians. Had the great Khan not died, Subotai likely would have destroyed Europe itself.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, World History, Asia, Military History, Military Fiction

164 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Skallagrimsen]

Some of the reviews posted here complain that this book really isn't a biography, and couldn't be, as too little is known for certain about Subotai to fill one. True enough, but I think books should be assessed based on what they are, not on how well they fit into preconceived categories. At worst, it might have been mistitled. But that just seems like a quibble to me.

So if this book isn't a biography, what is it? I'd call it an examination of the early phase of the Mongol conquests through the lens of what is known, reputed, and inferable about the enigmatic man at the heart of their devastating successes. What do we know about Subotai? At least this much: he led the Mongol Hordes from to victory to victory across Eurasia, laying waste to empires from Poland to Korea. How was that possible, for an army of illiterate tribesmen on horseback armed with bows and arrows?

The answer must be that Subotai, who won more battles and conquered more territory than any other man in history--not excluding Genghis Khan himself--was one of the greatest military geniuses who ever lived. I commend Richard Gabriel for drawing attention to this important but overlooked man.

Even apart from the author's good intentions, I very much enjoyed this book. It was a quick easy read, with a strong style and no errors that I noticed. (Not that I'm an expert, mind you!) The chapter on Subotai's epic cavalry raid west of the Caucasus Mountains sticks in my memory as particularly exciting and evocative: I could hear the pounding of the hooves and the twang of the bowstrings. I could smell the blood, smoke and fear.

Also noteworthy is the thoughtful epilogue which discusses the historical continuity between the Mongol and Russian Empires, connecting Subotai's achievements to contemporary geopolitical concerns. This is no mere chronicle of interesting but irrelevant events of a bygone era. It's a compelling reminder of how the outstanding deeds of a single man can reverberate across the world for centuries.

For all that I'd already read about Mongol history, I emerged from this book more knowledgeable and curious about it than ever. I'm glad I read it.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely worth reading if you're interested in military tactics. It completely shatters the notion that European knights clad in heavy armor were the deadliest military force to be reckoned with at the time.

It also explores the character of Subotai (as well as a historical work can), and I found it fascinating.

[Jintong Shi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The greatest general ever in human history, conquered the territory from Korea to Hungary, laid siege to Vienna, conquered Balkans, helped conquer China at the age of 70, from Siberia to Afghanistan, vanquished 32 nations...This book is written from a professional military historian, very interesting.

[Gerry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not much of a biography; we learn Our Boy was the son of a blacksmith, the brother of one of the Khan's inner circle members, and that he eventually retired to the Danube (sources on Wikipedia contradict that). That's about it. It's a decent history of the Mongol conquests many of which were accomplished under the command of Subotai. Just what was his role or how did he accomplish them is unexplained, other than, like Alexander, he had a damned fine army to work with. Did he think of the strategies used or were they Mongol s.o.p.? What were Jebe's contributions? Did he have a fine command team like (Saint) Robert E. Lee? We'll have to settle for letting the results (area conquered, and his won-lost record) speak for themselves. There is an interesting chapter at the end on the Mongols' possible influence on Soviet doctrine, which they seemed to have tossed out the window in time to welcome the panzers on June 22, 1941. Also, there's a chapter in which U.S. Army War College students express what can be learned from the Mongol art of war; interesting stuff, much of which can be learned from other generals and is likely in one field manual or another. Unfortunately, most of the details on Subotai's life and thoughts are unknown, and a history of the Mongol conquests are just basically a summation of his achievements.

[Amarjeet Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obviously, Subotai is more enigma than human given the paucity of sources on his life. However, one catches a flashing glimpse of the man in his military campaigns whose legacy echoes down to us in the form of geopolitical shifts today.

Gabriel can be accused of misepitheting the title to his narrative. It should have presciently summed up the man's primacy in planning Genghis Khan's military campaigns rather than mislead readers.

By no means is this a biography of Subotai himself but rather an analytical monologue on his military campaigns. But what campaigns!

A book of biblical importance for all students of statecraft and war.

[Chandy John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is less a biography of Subotai, who remains a less known figure famous for his blood thirst and strategic genius. The book is a highly readable account on Mongol tactics and the conquest of China, Russia, Central Asia, East Europe. The fact that Mongol tactics inform our armed forces to the present day is interesting- notably German blitzkrieg, Soviet strategy during the cold war or present day American helicopter tactics.
The book provides a fascinating glimpse into a nomadic culture and how it altered civilisation forever.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to objectively review, as by its own admission it works with pretty scarce material about the man himself and therefore is more of an operational history. I think given the sources available it foes a good job as well as explaining the strategic significance, both then and now, of looking at Mongol military operations.

[Rahib Heydarov · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not much about how The Genius Boy. Mostly chronological conquers...

[William Lockett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite simply the goat. Conquered almost all of Asia and Eastern Europe, 32 nations in total including China, Persia, and Russia, and 65 pitches battles in a row. Most with fewer numbers than the opposition. Totally ruthless, caused the temperature of the Earth to decrease because there were so many fewer humans.

The book itself is more of a brief history of the Mongol Conquests than a biography of its general, but worth a read if interested in this period.

[Truls Ljungström · Rating 3 out of 5]

En rent militär biografi över fältmarskalk Subotai, av mongolväldet. Boken beskriver sådan tsom planering och spionanvändning, såväl som kavalleri-taktik. Spännande men lite enahanda.

[Jimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting read of a highly successful but unknown general in history. It's more of a book that explains why the Mongol army was effective than a biography on Subotai. Nonetheless, it's a very rewarding read.

[Terence · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad read. The problem with the biographies of people living 800 years ago (or a similarly remote period) is that there's usually not a lot of primary sources to evaluate. If you're lucky you have a couple of histories; if you're really lucky you have a few letters & inscriptions or similar material; if you're really, really lucky you have something actually written by the subject.

Beyond that it's all speculation and inference.

With the material we've got, the author did a good job. I guess my real "beef" is a philosophical one: I have a guilty admiration for the military commander who's more than just a soldier (like Scipio Africanus or Napoleon) but, in the end, these men's primary job was destroying other people's lives, oftentimes with no defensible justification, hence the "guilt."

Mongol historical revisionism may laud some of the effects of their conquests (like reopening the overland trade routes through Asia) but I think, in the end, the original assessment that they were the "scourge of God" is closer to their real impact than otherwise.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a rather short monograph which would have benefitted from being shorter still.

The author moves back and forth in time and often repeats himself in almost boilerplate fashion. Also, little real feeling of Subotai is conveyed, this is best seen as a general survey of Mongol warfare and engagements.

That said, it does its job in explicating the engaments and the evolution of military thinking within the Mongol command. It also provides some insight into the growth of technical martial competence as a result of contact with defeated peoples.

[Anwer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Subotai was perhaps one of the most enigmatic figures around Ghengis Khan, his principal general and strategist, who knocked on the doors of Vienna and conquered more land and people than anyone on history. The book is well written, engaging and a reminder on the impact his Mongol general had on modern military thinking. I still feel not enough research has been done on Subotai and little is known of the man himself.

Richard has opened a wonderful debate with his book and hope other writers will follow his footsteps. A recommended read.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A necessary read if you're interested in how Genghis Khan did much of what he did.

I wanted to know more about Subotai specifically. The book doesn't cover a ton about him as I think there's little actually known about the guy.

Dan Carlin's Hardcore History episodes on the Mongolians used a ton from this book.

[Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deeply fascinating and well-written account of the life and times of an almost entirely unknown (outside the niche of military historians and enthusiasts) genius of warfare. Even if you think you have no particular interest in the Mongols, I'd still urge you to read it, as it's truly enlightening.

[Dalton Rimbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the book, more about the battles, tactics, and victories vs his life story. With so many enigmatic figures in history, not a ton of actual writings about his life (unless anyone has another recommendation, would love that), so was a little disappointed with that. However, great, short read. Worth it in my opinion.

[Ronald Jones]

This is the only book I've come across that focuses on one of the greatest generals in history. The author has taken what little information is available is on this military genius and pieced together a very interesting biography.

[Danny · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good. Moreso about the mongols, than about Subotai himself. There are many typos that lead me to believe this book was not properly edited.

[Frank Thun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, 140 pages, but a good read

[James Kenney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every page of this book. Easy read. Recommend to anyone interested in the Mongols, military history, or military strategy. Perfect book for the Marine Corps.

[gaverne Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book. I have decided I must learn more about the Mongols...

[Joseph Noun · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rare bio of Subotai

[Andre Hermanto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good:
* The conquests are fun to read even when they're a bit horrifying.

Bad:
* Not enough known information about Subotai.
* Repetitive, needs better editing.

[Batochir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you author Richard A. Gabriel.

[Alex Helling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Subotai might just be the greatest general (almost) no one has heard of. Subotai’s campaigns built the Mongol Empire through its invasions of Northern China, Central Asia, and Southern Russia. This success involved a great series of victories, many brought about through tactical or strategic innovation and mastery. While Subotai might not be well known everyone has heard of his boss; Genghis Khan. Richard A Gabriel in Genghis Khan’s Greatest General Subotai the Valiant argues that the victories that made the Mongol empire were mostly down to Subotai, both in part from an organisational perspective, and also as the strategic mastermind.

Pros
Nice little book on an oft neglected general
Good introduction to Subotai and the mongol campaigns
Useful maps/extras

Cons
Doesn't always provide the backing argumentation and evidence.

Quite easy to read Gabriel breaks down and explains mongol tactics well. The campaigns are described at a high level, there cant be that much detail in a book of less than 150 pages. Short has both a good side; fast to read, light to carry, and bad; lacking detail. While there is a lot of focus on strategy and tactics this is a biography and structured as such; chronologically through Subotai’s life - though there does not seem to be much to be gleaned until Subotai is already a field commander.

My main gripe comes as a direct result of the shortness of the book. Too many assertions, not enough backing argumentation or evidence. To take one innocuous example ‘throughout history, victory depended less upon the nature of the army per se than upon what a talented commander could do with it’ (p121) ignoring that Subotai did have a vastly superior army. And also that there have been comparatively few ‘talented commanders’ that this could be applied to.

No one has heard of Subotai because his boss gets the credit. The downside of this is that while Gabriel asserts Subotai as being the brainchild of almost everything that made the mongol armies successful this is uncertain. It is always unclear what subotai did, on organisation which bits were him and which Genghis? While likely he was the great strategist we can’t seem to be 100% certain which campaigns he was the architect; in the earlier ones perhaps Genghis was, and later on perhaps his talented subordinate Jebei? And how much was intentional how much luck. As a result Gabriel perhaps bigs Subotai up.

Perhaps because no one has heard of him Gabriel seems to feel the need to justify the book in modern terms. And thus to my mind spends too much time on lessons to be learnt from Subotai today. And this also leads to bringing in modern ideas to explain things that may be spurious; Gabriel states Subotai attacked Muscovy to protect his flank. A very modern reading that and a bit out of place in the middle ages with much smaller armies that operate on a narrow rather than across a wide front (even taking out the question of whether a minor, at the time, power like Muscovy had the armies to be any kind of threat.).

The extras are good. There are general maps for each of the main campaigns Subodai engages, these are not very detailed but sufficient for the narrative. In addition there are also diagrams and drawings illustrating tactics and equipment.

A small book means this won't take much of your time and you will learn about one of history’s truly great, if somewhat unknown commanders.

[Nicholas · Rating 2 out of 5]

There simply isn't enough information on Subotai in the primary sources available to the author to warrant a book. This book is an OK history on a few select Mongol campaigns, most of which Subotai took part in, with the occasional unsourced biographical bit or innovation attributed to Subotai.

[Kaelen Kinnaman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered this author through the History Channels "Battles BC" series, where he is the headline contributor - boy, did he not disappoint. Splendid little book, one that readers of military history will devour with delight. Highly recommend

[Tulga G · Rating 3 out of 5]

There weren't any new infos when you are Mongolian. Subotai, one of 4 dogs of the King Chinggis, the military genius, the strategist, was an one of the greatest contributor to Mongolian empire in 13th century.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it! Such an interesting topic and it’s understandable we don’t have a lot of info on him.