The Rise and Fall of the Second Largest Empire in History: How Genghis Khan's Mongols Almost Conquered the World

by Thomas J. Craughwell

Emerging out of the vast steppe grasslands of Central Asia in the early 1200s, the Mongols, under their ferocious leader, Genghis Khan, quickly carved out an empire that by the late thirteenth century covered almost one-sixth of the Earth’s landmass—from Eastern Europe to the eastern shore of Asia—and encompassed 110 million people. Far larger than the much more famous domains of Alexander the Great and ancient Rome, it has since been surpassed in overall size and reach only by the British Empire.   The Rise and Fall of the Second Largest Empire in the World recounts the spectacularly rapid expansion and dramatic decline of the Mongol realm, while examining its real, widespread, and enduring influence on countless communities from the DanubeRiver to the Pacific Ocean.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, World History, Asia, Medieval, Biography

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think This book was great! The Mongol Empire always interested me because of their massive size and because of the Khan dynasty. I picked up this book because the history of the Mongol Empire is not taught in schools or even mentioned for that matter. This book really filled me into what I did not know about the empire and went into detail about what I did know. My only problem was the book went a bit to fast, but overall it was a great book and it gave me an opportunity to learn more in detail about one of my favorite empires in history.

[Pierre Armel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and well done. I knew almost nothing about Gengis Khan and the Mongol empire and it was a perfect entry into the subject matter. Lot of pictures and side boxes. Recommended for a introduction or not too academic on this incredible time.

[Sekhar N Banerjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent history

I enjoyed reading the book and learnt a lot ‘of history . Even though concise, it covers all the important phases of the Mongol Dynasty.

[Fish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like much of the medieval world, I too have experienced pain at the hands of Genghis Khan. However, after reading this book, I now have a deeper understanding of the Mongolian Empire and its historic feats. I intend to use this knowledge for good—and strip every pokie machine in Australia bare.

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting summary

This book provides a view into what life was like almost 1000 years ago. It paints a good and balanced picture of Ghengis Kahn and his descendents and, the violent and the genius.

[L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A slight and short history (the title is almost longer than the book itself) with lots of pictures. I appreciate the pictures. If you're just starting to become interested in the Mongolian Empire, I would consider this an adequate introductory for you.

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well paced, readable narration of the rise of Genghis Khan. Not as focused on documentary accuracy and historical precision as other texts, which is a benefit to engagement at the cost of authority & accuracy.

[George Kazakos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book about the Mongolian empire.
Did not realize the forward thinking of the leaders.

[Ethan S · Rating 3 out of 5]

An introduction and overview of the Mongol Empire from it's formulation under Genghis Khan to it's breakdown under Kublai Khan and his descendants. It is an enjoyable overview of the period highlighted by many period illustrations. I think it could have been well served to have a few more maps throughout to give a better sense of the geography and where and how the movements of the Mongol Horde took place. My only other quibble is that I think the author doesn't fully give a sense of how ruthless the Mongols were. When they came to a town or city they meant to take it was given two options, surrender immediately or be utterly destroyed. But there were several occasions where a town would surrender and they would butcher the entire population anyway. He also doesn't go into the industrialization of slaughter the Mongols could bring. a town's population would be forced to line up in rows each in front of a Mongol warrior. That warrior would then behead the entire row of people. For all the good they did, they were a ruthless and merciless force.
That being said this is a very readable and enjoyable overview of their reign and a good introduction to the topic. Those looking for depth will probably want to either look elsewhere or follow up reading this with other books on the topic.

[Butch Byers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for an overview of the Mongols successive campaigns over a period of 100+ years. More of a schoolbook kind of who did what, where, when then weatherford's more erudite version.... But this one includes some more interesting bits about the conquests in Russia and kublai's ventures.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting book... I learned alot.

[Billy · Rating 3 out of 5]

good history book enjoyable

[Frederick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very entertaining and informative history which opens up the possibility of some serious research into a fascinating era of history. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Shirley Boyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview. A fractious Europe was one Khan's death away from a different fate.

[Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought this was very well written and engaging. kept me want to read. Great information and overview of this time in history.

[Yelena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to the Mongol Empire. Serves as a great base when delving deeper into the subject.

[Tamer Nosshi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not much here. Reads like a Young Adult Non-Fiction Book. Better to read the wikipedia entries on the Mongol Empire, if you want more.

[gabriela garnier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing

Really goes into depth on mongol history, and shows why such a great empire as all great empires fall in the end...disunity

[Bruce · Rating 2 out of 5]

Relatively superficial overview of those wild and crazy Mongols, who carved out a huge swatch of territory spanning from China to Hungary, in the 13th century. Good as a quick and shallow overview.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good and interesting book.

[Shawn Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dry, but very informative. Parts of it were a struggle.

[Bob · Rating 2 out of 5]

The subject is interesting, and the book is a short, beginner's introduction. What it needs is more maps, family trees, and the book's outline or a chart should snap a grid on the chronology.