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dave_daines's review against another edition
4.0
Finishing out the Genghis series, all very entertaining and easy to read, with a healthy dose of history thrown in. It's fascinating to think of what the real Genghis Khan was like as a person, and wonder whether someone responsible for so much bloodshed and destruction really was a person that loved his family and followed his own moral code. Iggulden's Genghis certainly does, but it's still unnerving to hear the matter of fact descriptions of how he would have every man, woman and child massacred for cities that didn't surrender the first two days of a siege, or how he drove masses of prisoners in front of his army when going into battle so that they took the brunt of the opposition's arrows.
I enjoy Iggulden's style and will eventually give his Caesar series a try as well.
I enjoy Iggulden's style and will eventually give his Caesar series a try as well.
docrevilo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
drawde's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lreay89's review against another edition
3.0
This wasn’t my favourite book so far of this series.
I feel like it lost some of its personal touch in the telling. It became more a list of battles that Ghengis won across several chapters. When the end came I felt it was rushed and wasn’t explained all that well. Sure it was Conn’s interpretation of some of the facts but it felt too lose to ring true.
The characters also seemed a lot more one dimensional in this book then the previous two and events where tied up much too neatly.
I didn’t dislike this book just I preferred the previous two. I’m a bit dubious about reading the last two as well now. Perhaps in the future.
I feel like it lost some of its personal touch in the telling. It became more a list of battles that Ghengis won across several chapters. When the end came I felt it was rushed and wasn’t explained all that well. Sure it was Conn’s interpretation of some of the facts but it felt too lose to ring true.
The characters also seemed a lot more one dimensional in this book then the previous two and events where tied up much too neatly.
I didn’t dislike this book just I preferred the previous two. I’m a bit dubious about reading the last two as well now. Perhaps in the future.
emiann2023's review against another edition
4.0
While this book dedinitelybtakes liberties with history, I was impressed with what was covered and how a lot of the perspectives were diversified.
But I also felt unsatisfied at the abrupt ending. I understand that little is known about Genghis's death, but the suddenness did not help me to find any sense of closure. I know this goes on for two more books, but I have not decided if I will continue yet or not.
But I also felt unsatisfied at the abrupt ending. I understand that little is known about Genghis's death, but the suddenness did not help me to find any sense of closure. I know this goes on for two more books, but I have not decided if I will continue yet or not.
joabroda's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
fast-paced
4.0
Third book in a series on Genghis Khan-Loving this series so much I alreday have book # 4 waiting for me.
The book picks up a bit after the ending of Book 2 and the Nation is seraching out the land to the East. The Arabs are not happy about wandering Mongals in their land and send back heads to Genghis hoping to scare him off. Not scared easily Genghis invades and smashes the Shah and his army. A lot of distressing things happen, and the Nation starts to head back to their original land, with a side visit to the Chin to get them back in line.
Iggulden, IMO, is a fantastic story teller and he keeps me entertained for houts. Highly reccomended for those who love History and battles
The book picks up a bit after the ending of Book 2 and the Nation is seraching out the land to the East. The Arabs are not happy about wandering Mongals in their land and send back heads to Genghis hoping to scare him off. Not scared easily Genghis invades and smashes the Shah and his army. A lot of distressing things happen, and the Nation starts to head back to their original land, with a side visit to the Chin to get them back in line.
Iggulden, IMO, is a fantastic story teller and he keeps me entertained for houts. Highly reccomended for those who love History and battles
gyttja's review against another edition
4.0
Vissa delar var ganska tråkig då de enligt min mening lade alldeles för mycket fokus på krig, krig och åter krig. Dock så vägdes det upp av alla fantastiska scener som fick mig att skratta av glädje eller fick mig att vilja bränna boken.
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
4.0
Genghis Khan and his Mongol horde have conquered the Chin in the East and they now turn their forces West towards the cities of central Asia along the fabled Silk Road. Genghis' sons are growing up but rivalry between them to be named heir is coming to the surface. Whilst the cities of the Arabs are rich, Genghis does not want to give up the nomadic lifestyle yet is finding it harder to control his vast empire. Meanwhile the son of the defeated Shah has gathered a vast army capable of defeating the Mongols.
Again Iggulden has taken the very bare bones of history and woven an exciting tale of politics, hardship and war from them. The battle scenes are brilliantly imagined but this book offers a little more in terms of (imagined) narrative and relationships. There is a real understanding of the lifestyle of the nomadic tribes and, whilst sketchy, a genuine attempt to breathe life into characters known for their successes in war rather than their opinions. This is a strong series of books which thoroughly engages the reader.
Again Iggulden has taken the very bare bones of history and woven an exciting tale of politics, hardship and war from them. The battle scenes are brilliantly imagined but this book offers a little more in terms of (imagined) narrative and relationships. There is a real understanding of the lifestyle of the nomadic tribes and, whilst sketchy, a genuine attempt to breathe life into characters known for their successes in war rather than their opinions. This is a strong series of books which thoroughly engages the reader.