What do you know about Genghis Khan?
Jack Weatherford’s goal is to set you straight. Genghis Khan was for free trade,
freedom of religion, multiculturalism, and equal law enforcement. He opposed
torture and nobility. He introduced universal education and literacy by
building schools. He supported women’s rights and secular governments. For a
period in the 13th century, he brought peace and prosperity to
Eastern Europe and Asia. Are you surprised? Read Genghis Khan and the Making of the ModernWorld to learn the real story of this great man.
Genghis Khan was a genius of
organization and governing. “The Mongols made no technological breakthroughs,
founded no new religions, wrote few books or dramas, and gave the world no new
crops or methods of agriculture. Their own craftsmen could not weave cloth,
cast metal, make pottery, or even bake bread. They manufactured neither
porcelain nor pottery, painted no pictures, and built no buildings. Yet, as
their army conquered culture after culture, they collected and passed all of
these skills from one civilization to the next.”
He built bridges, literally (“more than
any ruler in history”) and figuratively.
When Genghis Khan died his legacy began
to come apart because of fighting among his children and grandchildren. The
black plague was the final stroke of death.
“The Secret History” has just recently
been discovered, decoded, translated, and published. Most of what is “known”
about the Mongols is racist or conveniently wrong.
While the history is fascinating, this book is a dry recital of facts.
No comments:
Post a Comment