Seeking Genghis Khan: Riding Across the Mongolian Grasslands

Author: (English) Xie Weilun Liu Lizhen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: "Genghis Khan," meaning "the ruler of the world," refers to Temujin, the founding ruler of Mongolia. He was resolute, brave, a skilled warrior, and adept at strategy. He unified the various Mongol tribes, led his descendants in campaigns of conquest southward and northward, eastward and westward, and conquered two-thirds of the known world at the time, establishing the largest empire in human history. His achievements shook the ancient world. This book takes you on horseback to trace the footsteps of Genghis Khan's westward campaigns, exploring the barbarity and civilization of human history, and reshaping the eternal hero in the hearts of the Mongolian people! In heaven, there is only one God; on earth, there is only one ruler—Genghis Khan Louis IX. Genghis Khan, meaning "the ruler of the world," refers to Temujin, the founding ruler of Mongolia. He was resolute, brave, a skilled warrior, and adept at strategy. He unified the various Mongol tribes, led his descendants in campaigns of conquest southward and northward, eastward and westward, and conquered two-thirds of the known world at the time, establishing the largest empire in human history. His achievements shook the ancient world, especially the three westward campaigns. The Mongol cavalry nearly traversed Central Asia, West Asia, and the European continent. Wherever they went, the armies of the countries they encountered were no match, and they trembled at the mere mention of them. Europe called it the "Yellow Peril." These three campaigns changed the political map of the world and had a profound and far-reaching impact on world history, representing an intense collision and exchange of early Sino-Western cultures. This book describes the author and his expedition team riding horses to trace the footsteps of Genghis Khan's westward campaigns, exploring the barbarity and civilization of human history, and reshaping the eternal hero in the hearts of the Mongolian people. The pride of heaven, Genghis Khan, illiterate in his youth, roamed the world in search of becoming the greatest emperor in human history. He conquered more land than Napoleon and Alexander the Great, establishing the largest empire in world history. His realm extended from South Asia in the south to the edge of Europe in the north. The expedition described in this book is part of UNESCO's Silk Road Project. In 1990, Tim Xie Weilun and his team embarked on a journey across the vast, desolate Mongolian grasslands. The starting point of the journey was the sacred mountain of Burkhan Khaldun, revered by Genghis Khan. In Finding Genghis Khan, the rise of the Mongol Empire and the legend of its westward campaigns are told in vivid detail. Xie Weilun's writing is fluid, capturing the impoverished yet beautiful essence of Mongolian culture. The author's sharp observations, witty yet restrained tone, and curiosity throughout the book make this a masterpiece of travel literature.