Genghis Khan: His Conquests, His Empire, His Legacy

At the outset, McLynn (Captain Cook; Marcus Aurelius: A Life) declares that an authoritative biography of the Mongol ruler Genghis Khan (1162–1227) is impossible, but that this project is an attempt to synthesize the relevant scholarship of the last 40 years written in the major European languages. To a large degree, McLynn succeeds in lifting the veil from Khan's early life, his rise to power, and his rule. Furthermore, the author adds depth to the narrative by discussing not only his subject's military strategies and campaigns but also by delving into the structure of Mongol society, the role of women, and the reorientation of the Mongols from factional tribalism to absolute devotion to the Khan. McLynn's scholarship is at times undermined by an overwhelming array of details that sidetrack the work and distract the reader—as when the book continues on for over 100 pages after Khan's death.