Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World
Jack Weatherford · ★★★★★ · 312 pages · 2004
Achievements of Genghis Khan and his kin.
-
Freedom of religion in his empire. Its interesting how many of the wives and sons and advisors were Christian, Muslim or Mongol religion.
-
No torture. Not saying their complete annihilation of cities was a boon but it was interesting that Genghis Khan himself did not want torture.
-
Effective use of propaganda to make enemies give up before there was even a battle. Most of what we hear about Mongols ruthless destruction was largely due to this propaganda which allowed easy wins by intimidating the enemy.
-
Effective distribution of wealth to his soldiers. He even distributed a share of wealth from raids to his soldiers that died and their family.
-
Effective organization of an entire society based on groups of 10.
-
Effectively used the strengths of different groups to create a greater whole. Siege machines, gunpowder from China, German miners, Turkish administrators. They were really effective at putting the intelligentsia to use.
-
The silk road which became a major trading route between the East and West. The trade also lead to the Renascence.
-
Genghis Khan himself came from poverty and created the biggest empire.