
Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World
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Narrated by:
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Jonathan Davis
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Jack Weatherford
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By:
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Jack Weatherford
About this listen
The Mongol army led by Genghis Khan subjugated more lands and people in 25 years than the Romans did in 400. In nearly every country the Mongols conquered, they brought an unprecedented rise in cultural communication, expanded trade, and a blossoming of civilization.
Vastly more progressive than his European or Asian counterparts, Genghis Khan abolished torture, granted universal religious freedom, and smashed feudal systems of aristocratic privilege. From the story of his rise through the tribal culture to the explosion of civilization that the Mongol Empire unleashed, this brilliant work of revisionist history is nothing less than the epic story of how the modern world was made.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
Listen to An Interview with Author Jack Weatherford.©2005 Jack Weatherford (P)2010 Audible, Inc.Listeners also enjoyed...
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Featured Article: 55+ Powerful and Inspiring Quotes to Guide Your Leadership Journey
What makes a great leader? While leadership styles vary, most experts agree that the best leaders have key characteristics in common. Gathered from a wide range of audiobooks—classic novels, management guides, sci-fi thrillers, political memoirs, and more—this collection of quotes reinforces and reflects on seven hallmarks of every great leader. These quotes offer insights to help you develop core leadership qualities and rise to the calling.

Editor's Pick
Even if you don’t pick up this title, please say ‘JENG-iss.’
"As an anthropologist studying and teaching in Mongolia for decades, Jack Weatherford collected stories: the facts of Genghis Khan’s life (few, but significant), his legacy (huge), and the intimacy and specialness of Mongolian culture that changed and spread across the world under his aegis. Jonathan Davis’s stellar narration of every novelistic detail guarantees that this audio is the BEST. HISTORY. EVER."
—Christina H., Audible Editor
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Story
In ancient Rome, all the best stories have one thing in common - murder. In one 50-year period, 26 emperors were murdered. But what did killing mean in a city where gladiators fought to the death to sate a crowd? In A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Emma Southon examines a trove of real-life homicides from Roman history to explore Roman culture, including how perpetrator, victim, and the act itself were regarded by ordinary people. Inside ancient Rome’s darkly fascinating history, we see how the Romans viewed life and death and what it means to be human.
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Narration is stilted, author tries too hard
- By Allison Jackson on 07-13-21
By: Emma Southon
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Napoleon
- A Life
- By: Andrew Roberts
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 32 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
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Andrew Roberts' Napoleon is the first one-volume biography to take advantage of the recent publication of Napoleon's thirty-three thousand letters, which radically transform our understanding of his character and motivation. At last we see him as he was: protean multitasker, decisive, surprisingly willing to forgive his enemies and his errant wife Josephine.
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What a dynamo!
- By Tad Davis on 01-16-15
By: Andrew Roberts
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Greek Fire, Poison Arrows, & Scorpion Bombs
- By: Adrienne Mayor
- Narrated by: Suzanne Toren
- Length: 8 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
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Weapons of biological and chemical warfare have been in use for thousands of years, and Greek Fire, Poison Arrows & Scorpion Bombs, Adrienne Mayor's fascinating exploration of the origins of biological and unethical warfare, draws extraordinary connections between the mythical worlds of Hercules and the Trojan War, the accounts of Herodotus and Thucydides, and modern methods of war and terrorism.
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A great read for those interested in Antiquity
- By Christopher on 07-08-10
By: Adrienne Mayor
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Henry VIII: King and Court
- By: Alison Weir
- Narrated by: Phyllida Nash
- Length: 25 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
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This magnificent biography of Henry VIII is set against the cultural, social and political background of his court - the most spectacular court ever seen in England - and the splendour of his many sumptuous palaces. An entertaining narrative packed with colourful description and a wealth of anecdotal evidence, but also a comprehensive analytical study of the development of both monarch and court during a crucial period in English history.
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A concise focus with tremendous detail
- By kwdayboise (Kim Day) on 05-24-17
By: Alison Weir
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Genghis Khan Distilled
- Life Lessons from One of History’s Greatest Legends. Stories of Leadership, Strategy, Communication and Personal Growth
- By: Eternal Knowledge Books
- Narrated by: Sebastian Brown
- Length: 4 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
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From the harsh steppes of Mongolia to the boardrooms of today, one leader's principles have stood the test of time. But this isn't just another business book rehashing ancient wisdom. This is the story of how a young outcast transformed himself into history's greatest empire builder—and what his methods can teach us about navigating our own path to success.
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I loved this book.
- By Anonymous User on 06-01-25
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Marco Polo
- From Venice to Xanadu
- By: Laurence Bergreen
- Narrated by: Paul Boehmer
- Length: 16 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
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As the most celebrated European to explore Asia, Marco Polo was the original global traveler and the earliest bridge between East and West. A universal icon of adventure and discovery, he has inspired six centuries of popular fascination and spurious mythology. Now, from acclaimed author Laurence Bergreen, comes the first fully authoritative biography of one of the most enchanting figures in world history.
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Educational and Entertaining but a bit repetitive
- By PETER on 01-02-13
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Alexander the Great
- By: Philip Freeman
- Narrated by: Michael Page
- Length: 12 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
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Alexander was born into the royal family of Macedonia, the kingdom that would soon rule over Greece. Tutored as a boy by Aristotle, Alexander had an inquisitive mind that would serve him well when he faced formidable obstacles during his military campaigns. Shortly after taking command of the army, he launched an invasion of the Persian Empire, and continued his conquests as far south as the deserts of Egypt and as far east as the mountains of present-day Pakistan and the plains of India.
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Great book!
- By BadGuidance on 06-18-17
By: Philip Freeman
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The Horde
- How the Mongols Changed the World
- By: Marie Favereau
- Narrated by: Anne Flosnik
- Length: 12 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
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Favereau takes us inside one of the most powerful sources of cross-border integration in world history. The Horde was the central node in the Eurasian commercial boom of the 13th and 14th centuries and was a conduit for exchanges across thousands of miles. Its unique political regime - a complex power-sharing arrangement among the khan and the nobility - rewarded skillful administrators and diplomats and fostered an economic order that was mobile, organized, and innovative.
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Golden Horde complete history, well done
- By Amazon Customer on 03-10-22
By: Marie Favereau
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The Mongol Storm
- Making and Breaking Empires in the Medieval Near East
- By: Nicholas Morton
- Narrated by: Nick Biadon
- Length: 12 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
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For centuries, the Crusades have been central to the story of the medieval Near East, but these religious wars are only part of the region's complex history. As The Mongol Storm reveals, during the same era the Near East was utterly remade by another series of wars: the Mongol invasions. In a single generation, the Mongols conquered vast swaths of the Near East and upended the region's geopolitics. This is the definitive history of the Mongol assault on the Near East and its enduring global consequences.
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History explained and experienced
- By Bob H on 03-20-25
By: Nicholas Morton
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The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich
- A History of Nazi Germany
- By: William L. Shirer
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 57 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
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Since its publication in 1960, William L. Shirer’s monumental study of Hitler’s German empire has been widely acclaimed as the definitive record of the 20th century’s blackest hours. The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich offers an unparalleled and thrillingly told examination of how Adolf Hitler nearly succeeded in conquering the world. With millions of copies in print around the globe, it has attained the status of a vital and enduring classic.
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Held my interest for 57 hours and 13 minutes
- By Jonnie on 11-08-10
The narration is great and the story is spellbinding. I bought the book on a whim and have no regrets.
The first half is much better than the second half, but I enjoyed the story immensely from start to finish and highly recommend.
Chills
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If you like history - this is excellent
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I thought Jonathan Davis did an excellent job of narrating this book. I didn't opt out while listening.
This book comes highly recommended, especially to those who love history and biographical works. The book is a bit of both.
Very Insightful, time break with Western Hubris
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What made the experience of listening to Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World the most enjoyable?
The concise and direct historical presentation of a man lost to myth and legend as well as the refreshing perspective of his policies and rule. The life of Temujin, the boy who grew into the Great Khan sounds like a Hollywood movie! Father poisoned? Captured and made a slave? From that abject state to the greatest conquerer in history!What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)
Surprise! My understanding was his empire fractured and collapsed soon after his death, much like Alexander the Great's. To learn the depth and scope of the Mongol Empire and it's unique longevity even decades after his passing is a testament to his vision and leadership.Which scene was your favorite?
When as a youth he single-mindedly forged an alliance to wage war on the tribe that had kidnapped and outraged his young wife, Borte.Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
When Temujin exhibits his ruthless nature for the first time by killing his rival step brother, their mother's grief and anguish at Bechter's loss and her favorite son's cruelty haunted me.Any additional comments?
This book reveals a man that, even in the pursuit of a unified Mongol Nation by fire and sword, forged a Nation that was based on merit, not blood. Believed to be the world's FIRST true Meritocracy (albeit at sword's point!)STUNNING! Uncovering the man behind the myth!
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This book fundamentally rewrote my view of the core narrative in Chinese History. Unfortunately, telling you this is likely to bring down the wrath of the “Chinese Machine”.
The book solidified a growing belief that at its core Chinese history is about the duality of the “Barbarian” and the “Mandarins”. Neither amounts to much on their own, but together they have immense potential. The Mandarins need “their” Barbarian to change their world and the Barbarian needs a team of Mandarins to get anything done, especially in Asia. It’s sort of like the relationship between an entrepreneur and a team of engineers in Silicon Valley. Chinese history complains incessantly about the barbarians, but they needed them, and appear to even secretly want their Barbarians … it’s almost kinky.
In the non-Chinese world much lip service paid to yin and yang, but mostly arising from a misunderstanding that arises from equating things that are functionally the same but are of such different magnitudes as to be different. More is different. The duality at the core of Chinese history is so vast as to be unlike the dualities in most of the rest of the world.
The other insight is that Chinese tell their history from an absurdly Mandarin-centric perspective. A more objective telling would place a succession of Barbarians at the core of the story. It’s like telling the history of Apple while arguing that Steve Jobs was not a real Apple employee and a mediocre engineer, who came and went a few too many times. This inversion is a soft lie that somehow facilitates their society.
This is the story of the greatest Chinese ever, and yet in some versions of the story he’s a Barbarian, that is, not even Chinese.
My Pick for Book of the Decade
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an historic double-take
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I knew nothing about that period of history before reading this book. My bad. Now I understand why I was wrong to have ignored this time period.
I just love a well written biography written by an author who loves his subject. This book qualifies and will profit the listener by listening to it. I'm totally convinced that my previous impression of Genghis Khan before this book were just plain wrong. He was a great leader and great man. Little did I know.
Trust you fellow audible book reviewers on this book and give it a try!
Deserves the rave audible reviewers have given it
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Couldn't Stop Listening
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Magnificent
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Fills In a Less-Understood, But Important Period
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