Genghis: Birth of an Empire, by Conn Iggulden

February 17, 2009 by
Filed under: book review, Conn Iggulden, Genghis Khan, historical fiction, International bestseller, Main character, recommendation 

I have a passion for historical fiction. Conn Iggulden’s Genghis: Birth of an Empire (which published in the UK as Wolf of the Plains) is the kind of book that increases this passion in me. It is at the same time a wonderful piece of fiction and also a book that provides a glimpse into the life of the mysterious Genghis Khan. This is historical fiction of the first order.Genghis: Birth of an Empire, by Conn Iggulden Iggulden has previously authored the bestselling Emperor series on the life of Julius Caesar, and is an excellent craftsman.

Iggulden has been inspired by Secret History of the Mongols: The Origin of Chingis Khan, which supposedly is the leading primary source into the life and times of Genghis Khan, to weave a fantastic story that moves at a pleasant pace from the birth of Temujin to his first unification of the warring Mongol tribes, after which he assumes the title Genghis, claiming his birthright as the rightful khan of the Wolves.

This book is the first of a series about Genghis Khan. Still, it has both the plot and the content to be read as a standalone novel. And there is nothing unresolved by the end. Iggulden weaves a spellbinding story of an exotic and “unforgiving land” and the enigmatic young man — charismatic, a brilliant tactician and capable “of utter ruthlessness” — who sets out to tame it.

The future conqueror Temujin, the name meaning a man of iron, is born to the khan (ruler) of a hard Mongol tribe that roams central Asia’s steppes in the 12th century. The Mongols are constantly warring with the Tartars, while both parties are influenced by and manipulated by the Chinese.

When his father is killed by Tartar raiders, a rival claims the tribe, assumes the title of Khan, and banishes Temujin’s family. Left behind without resources when the tribe migrates, the family struggles with nature and enemies to survive in the harsh environment. Thus Temujin is hardened and becomes a hard and tough warrior.

But, having been raised as a Khan’s son, he still dreams of being Khan – he even feels destined to become one – and starts gathering outcasts into a new tribe. Then he begins raiding Tartar camps. And as his fame spreads, Temujin launches an ambitious campaign to unite the Mongol tribes “after a thousand years of warfare” into a single people, defeat the Tartars and invade China.

This is a really epic piece of work. To research it, Iggulden even spent time in Mongolia, and it shows. One of the strengths of “Genghis” lie in Iggulden’s depiction of the extremely harsh Mongolian landscape and the life scraped out by its inhabitants. Genghis: Birth of an Empire is a gem of historical fiction – very, very entertaining at the same time as it is illuminating and educational. I strongly recommend it!

Links to the Genghis Khan series and The Secret History of the Mongols: The Origin of Chingis Khan (C & T Asian Culture Series) at amazon UK, amazon US: Genghis Khan, and amazon CAN: Iggulden: Genghis and The Secret History of the Mongols: The Origin of Chingis Khan.

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