Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World Chapter Summary & Analysis - Introduction, The Missing Conqueror Summary

Introduction, The Missing Conqueror Summary and Analysis

Genghis Khan made his own destiny. That he could conquer most of the known world seems beyond improbability. Khan grew up in a world of great tribal violence, and as a son in an outcast family, he probably knew only a few hundred people in his early life. He had no formal education. As a child, he was cowardly and cried easily; his brothers picked on him. But at that young age he already met his best friend who would later become his lifelong enemy and the love of his life, who he would make the mother of emperors. In each period of his young life, he defeated everyone who was more powerful than him until all of Mongolia was under his rule. His Mongol army would transform warfare across the world.

In a mere quarter-century, the Mongols conquered more land and people than the Romans did in four hundred...
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