Good book. I really like the romanticism of the Mongols and their culture. This is the first time I've been made aware of a truthful (as derived from primary and secondary sources) representation of his life. I like the man perhaps more now than I did when I assumed him to be a ruthless driven leader... well - he Was a ruthless and driven leader - but I think from his perspective - it was not simple cruelty - but toward a bigger goal.
This book reinforced that idea.
Good read - I'll probably come back to go it all again - very good. ( )

Coming back to this series after first reading it over a decade ago, this rendition of the story of Genghis Khan still feels just as engaging and satisfying. Conn Iggulden does a fantastic job at both bringing the reader into the world of the steppes and the harsh way of life of the Mongol tribes, and also telling a rivetting story about the early life of Temujin and the events that would shape him into the leader and conqueror that he became. Despite the taking of some historical liberties, the Wolf of the Plains retains its general sense of realism and it is obvious that it is also meticulously researched. I could knock a half star off for underdevelopment of some of the secondary characters and pacing in the second half of the book, but the nostalgia of re-reading and it just genuinely being a good read bump it back into the 5 star range for me. ( )

A far better telling of the Genghis Khan story than the appalling 1965 film. You really feel for GK and family. I am coming to the end of Cornwell's Saxon Chronicles and looking for a new series. I reckon Mongolia/China is as far as it gets. My opinion: Iggulden is a worthy pretender to King Bernard.

[bc:The Secret History of the Mongols|59785459|The Secret History of the Mongols|Christopher Atwood|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1667850189l/59785459._SY75_.jpg|94167770]

A much better start. Also search Internet Archive for All about History Issue 71. ( )

This was really good!
Temujin grew up the second son of the Kahn of the Wolves. A Mongolian tribe of the grass plains. He was only eleven when his father was killed by Tartars & his family were thrown out of the tribe after a tribe member betrays them & steals the position of Khan. The next few years shaped Temujin's character & instilled a desire to unite the tribes.
I loved this story. Conn Iggulden knows how to keep his ausience engaged which is pretty impressive considering the book is 452 pages long. It's well researched & when I wasn't white knuckling the book from the story I was marvelling about aspects of the life in the tribes. Chinggis (Ghengis) Khan had a pretty hard life after his eleventh birthday that shaped his character to what it was. He is a fascinating character & I loved every bit of this book. Roll on book number two!!

The undisputed King of historical fiction on fine form. Brilliant. 'Nuff said. ( )