Secret History of the Mongols: The Origin of Chingis Khan

by Unknown, Paul Kahn (Adapter), Francis Woodman Cleaves (Translator)

This adaptation of what is recognized today as the oldest Mongolian text (written two decades after Chingis Khan`s death) tells the Mongols` own version of the origin of their nation, the life of Chingis Khan, and the creation of an empire that stretched across Eurasia in the 13th century. Adapted from Francis Woodman Cleaves` erudite translation, it is presented here as a narrative poem in colloquial English. An overview of medieval Asia, maps, lineage charts, a glossary of proper names, and a bibliography are included. This expanded edition includes a 17th-century account of Chingis Khan`s death and a new essay by the author.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Asia, Medieval, Classics, Military Fiction, Poetry

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Books can be attributed to "Unknown" when the author or editor (as applicable) is not known and cannot be discovered. If at all possible, list at least one actual author or editor for a book instead of using "Unknown".

Books whose authorship is purposefully withheld should be attributed instead to Anonymous.

Reviews

[Abdulrahman]

Interesting snapshot of the Mongolian culture at the time. From the writing, I wouldn't think they knew (or probably cared) about how much of an effect they were having on the rest of the world.

I felt that Chingis Khan was so focused on the here and now. Maybe he'd be surprised to know that he made great lasting changes to the world at large. Maybe he'd smile at knowing he cooled the entire planet due to how many people were killed, decreasing greenhouse gasses, or at how many descendants he has.

Lovely read, I need to read more about him.

[Mary Soon Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summer reading book reviews, book #6, "The Secret History of the Mongols," adapted by Paul Kahn.... This book is an adaptation of other people's translations (most notably Francis Woodman Cleaves's translation) of a Mongolian work written in the thirteenth century. Much of the book describes Chingis Khan's life. I read this book as background research for my writing: my work-in-progress includes a culture that is partly based on the Mongols. I expect to benefit both from the numerous specific details in the book (such as "Taking a juniper stick in her hands, she fed them by digging up roots") and from absorbing the style of the narrative, replete with repetition and animal/nature references. My earlier research reading was standard non-fiction, and this adaptation of a thirteenth century text offered more of the flavor of the Mongol culture. As a reference work, I rate it highly, but I make no claim that it's fun summer reading.

[Mr. ToppDeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gem. A wonderful, un-self-consciously poetic translation of a major historical record. If you are interested in the history of Central Asia, the Mongols, or Genghis Khan this is a must-read book. I loved it. At its height, the Mongol Empire was the biggest the world has ever seen. Gives a real feel for the culture of these nomads who burst out of nowhere to devastate both Islam and Christian Europe. It took over two centuries before the population of Eurasia returned to the level it had reached prior to Genghis Khan's depredations. A detailed account of Genghis Khan's origins, upbringing and deeds, especially how he succeeded in uniting the always fractured Mongolian nomads into an unstoppable military tidal wave.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit, it did become tedious at points to read this work, but I suspect that is because I do not have the necessary background knowledge to notice the cultural or even historical relevance of certain aspects of the material. I got the feeling while reading various passages that there was an esoteric interpretation which makes the material more relevant than just the exoteric reading.

All in all, there were some memorable moments, e.g. Temujin's mother's intervention when he was about to kill someone important. I'm not going to reveal more; you'll have to read it yourself and possibly burst out laughing like I did when the big "reveal" happens!

[Nguyen Le · Rating 3 out of 5]

Đọc được bản tiếng Việt - Mông Cổ Bí Sử mà chưa có trong database của Goodreads nên dùng tạm bản này.

Cảm nhận đầu tiên là mình hơi bị quá tải với việc đọc tên gia phả, dòng họ của Thành Cát Tư Hãn. Một phần bởi vì các tên này được phiên âm từ tiếng Mông Cổ sang Hán tự, sau đó lại được phiên âm từ Hán tự sang âm Tiếng Việt. Việc này thường xuyên được diễn ra trong các tác phẩm được dịch từ tiếng Trung, nên có nhiều tên mình nói được nhưng não không xử lý được.

Tập sách gồm 12 quyển được lồng vào trong 1, kể về sự bành trướng và phát triển của Mông Cổ, tài quân sự của Thành Cát Tư Hãn và cách ông sử dụng con người, lên chiến lược và đối đãi với từng loại người để duy trì vị thế của ông và lãnh thổ trị vì. Người dịch đã cố gắng bám sát bản gốc và chú thích chi tiết một vài sự kiện, mốc thời gian dễ gây khó hiểu để người đọc theo được timeline của bộ sách. Nói chung là đáng đọc 1 lần

[Christopher Gold · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the treasures of medieval literature, The Secret History of the Mongols is a contemporary account of the origins of the most feared conquerer in human history. This book provides the only written account of the early life of Genghis Khan and was likely written by someone who was present in the court of the Universal Ruler himself. The Secret History serves as sort of a foundational text for the mongols themselves, showing why a young Temujin deserved the title of Oceanic Ruler. Almost every discussion of Genghis talks about his exploits as a military commander, but the secret history’s best passages are when it talks about the challenges he faces uniting the various nomadic tribes of the steepe, and navigating the brutal life full of betrayal and internal conflict that plagued these steepe nomads.

[Victor Cedeño · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una biografía combinada con poesía épica digna de una adaptación a la pantalla grande.

Toda la narrativa vital de Temujin y sus descendientes; Anjas, "perros de guerra" y soldados parece salida de la más brutal y cruenta escena de Game Of Thrones. Leer esto desde la modernidad me hace sentir muy afortunado de la época donde vivo y el lugar donde nací.

[Shmi]

This book had a lot of different information related to the life, death, and custom of the Mongol people, as well as Chingis Khan. It was really fascinating to read, especially with the reign of Chingis and Ogedei Khan.

[Dwight Kincy · Rating 5 out of 5]

History of the Mongols

Tells the story of the creation of the great Mongolian empire, and the great leader Genghis Khan; even has a poem about his death at the end, great read.

[Dwight Kincy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic, gives a detailed account of the rise of Genghis Khan.

[Tsai Wei-chieh · Rating 3 out of 5]

本書是Cleaves教授英譯《蒙古秘史》的簡化版。書末附有各關鍵人物的介紹與系譜。在教學上算是挺有用的。之前敎授大學部學生的「蒙古征服史」主題課程時，即使用本書為教材。然而在述及成吉思汗的先世與怯薛制度時，作者卻刪略了部分內容，這點相當可惜。在教學上我們仍舊需要一本價廉物美的英譯本。

[Alex H · Rating 3 out of 5]

this reminded me of that kardashian audio that’s like “never go against the family” but historical. Not the worst thing I’ve read for this class

[Abigail Mathews · Rating 1 out of 5]

shoutout to my professor for making me read this smh

[lamarcus brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

What kingdom, which ruler was the largest in history? Rome? Alexander the great? China? Egypt? Russia? No, none of those. The largest country ever carved out on this planet was that of Chinggis/Genghis Khan; two thirds of the known world. Born the son of a chieftain of one of the many tribes in Mongolia, Temujin (Genghis Khan) was expected to grow into a leader, but then, at the age of 5 or 6, his father was poisoned and his tribe broke up; none believed they had a chance with a 6 year old as chief and migrated to other tribes. To make matters worse those that poisoned his father also sought his own death to he could never try to claim his rightful title.
He was born into a hard life, in the steppes of Mongolia, a cold desert, and only became more difficult from there. He ran, he was captured by his enemies, he escaped, his mother was captured, he saved her. His step brother tried to starve out the rest of the family, he killed him. He was hunted continually but all along the way he developed the ability to survive, the understanding of human nature, the “ways of the world” and he grew stronger, and stronger with each new challenge.
When all was said and done not only did he conqueror the largest army in the world, China, and not only did he create the largest empire ever to exists, but it was said a virgin could ride naked with bags of gold from one end of his country to the other without fear. Women were equal, all religions accepted, people were tried fairly and punished strictly according to their crime and only if proven. Temujin, the Kha Khan, was a man who learned through much misfortune that people can be bad but, if you treat them fair and equally, they will be loyal forever; if you treat them good, they will be good. He was far ahead of his time in his way of thinking. He was fair and logical, and he was a great strategist, not just in ways of military but in the ways of the human spirit and the human heart.

[Bryn Hammond · Rating 3 out of 5]

He calls this an adaptation, not a translation, and that's my note of caution. It interprets for you, and often, I think, chooses a simple meaning out of several. Still, it's great for an easy-to-get and unfrightening English version.

I love the Cleaves -- Francis Woodman Cleaves whose translation he uses for this, but whose language he changes. Even though Cleaves' presentation, the intro and how he sets out the text, is only fit to baffle you, and he never did publish the second part: the notes.

Urgunge Onon is another alternative: strictly a translation, but meant for a general audience.

Five stars for the Secret History itself, obviously.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was hard to get through on the first read because of my inability to grasp all the names and the style of writing. If this is how most of you felt after reading it, I would read it again. With a better sense of what is to come, and a stronger grasp on the language, the book becomes far more interesting and insightful. Though I did not enjoy the book at all the first time, thinking it was repetitive, I found my second attempt at it a lot more enjoyable, and actually found the poem extremely moving.

[Tony Gualtieri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A poetic adaptation of an English translation of a Chinese copy of a vanished Mongol original. The writing replicates the rhythm and alliteration of the epic mode, as if the anonymous author were a Homer of the steppes. Explanations are incorporated into the text, obviating the need for notes, allowing one to follow the story with a modicum of historical background. This gambit avoids pedanticism but compromises precision. It works for me, a casual reader, but I could see how it might offend a scholar. From them, there's always Francis Woodman Cleaves.

[Kagof · Rating 3 out of 5]

This version is - apparently - not a direct translation. Which is good, because it allows you to understand the text more. This is an entertaining and informative read, with great historical and mythological elements. And the aptly named Paul Kahn's translation is very easy to read, with an extremely useful glossary and family tree at the back.

[Patrick Neylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of the second biggest empire the world has seen, as told by the people who created it. A fascinating look into a conqueror whose name everyone knows (even if they mispronounce it) but whose history is a mystery. Educational, but also very readable.

[b bb bbbb bbbbbbbb · Rating 1 out of 5]

oh historical epics. it was interesting, but also a little tedious. my memory is too poor for so many details to stick.

[joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I own an earlier edition of this title published by Northpoint Press in 1984. This is a must-have title for anyone interested in studying Mongolian history.

[Aaron Mcilhenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yo this is some real Game of Thrones shit

[Mari · Rating 4 out of 5]

The poetic form made this a quick read and provided a truer glimpse of Mongol expression than a prose form would have given.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. Verse form is similar to the Finnish National Epic the Kalevala.

[Belle Meade School]

811.5