Genghis Khan: History's Greatest Empire Builder

by Paul Lococo, Jr. Jr.

Overview

It was through bitter experience growing up on the harsh and unforgiving steppes of Mongolia that Genghis Khan learned to trust few people and to be vigilant of the personalities and events around him. As a result of an early life filled with hardship, betrayals, and constant struggle, Genghis Khan developed into a cunning and effective leader of men in battle. He became an innovative commander who disdained customary tactics when those strategies failed to bring victory.Genghis Khan united the tribes of Mongolia in a way never before seen, leading them to the settled lands of Eurasia and achieving almost super-human victories over vastly larger forces. By the time of his death he had created an empire of immense proportions, larger than anything before in history. Genghis Khan addresses how the teenaged son of a minor Mongol chieftain created a military machine of extraordinary striking power and wielded it to conquer such lands as China, Central Asia, and Persia.Potomac’s Military Profiles series features essential treatments of the lives of significant military figures from ancient times through the present. Both the general audience and readers with a professional interest will appreciate each volume’s concise blend of analysis and well-crafted writing. These books also serve as a starting point for those who wish to pursue a more advanced study of the subject.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781574887464
Publisher:	Potomac Books
Publication date:	04/30/2008
Series:	Military Profiles
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	108
Product dimensions:	4.90(w) x 7.80(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Paul Lococo, Jr., received his doctorate in Chinese military history at the University of Hawaii-Manoa and is currently associate professor of history at the Leeward College campus. His recent research and publications focus on pre-modern Asian military history, and he is the coauthor with Stephen Morillo and Michael Pavkovic of War in World History: Society, Technology, and War from Ancient Times to the Present: Part IV: The Dawn of Global Warfare, 1500–1750. He lives in Pearl City, Hawaii.

Table of Contents

Preface     vii
Chronology     ix
Mongolian Background     1
The Early Years     7
Unification of Mongolia     15
Mongol Military System     25
Assault on Xi Xia and Jin China     35
Destruction of the Khwarazmian Empire     51
Genghis Khan's Final Campaign     71
Notes     79
Bibliographic Note     83
Index     85
About the Author     91

Editorial Reviews

Paul Lococo, Jr. adeptly summarizes the life and career of Chinggis Khan, an impressive feat for the brevity of the book.”

“A very useful book for anyone seeking an introduction to Genghis’ life and work, the history of China and Central Asia, and the conduct of war on the vast Eurasia plan.”

“Paul Lococo has written an admirably clear and accessible study of Genghis Khan. Lococo is thoroughly versed in the primary and secondary literature, and he brings to those sources a keen analytic eye for the crucial aspects of military organization and operations. His insights will benefit specialists, while at the same time his clarity and brevity will make this an especially fine book for classroom use.”

“Paul Lococo has written a concise, accessible, and up-to-date biography of Genghis Khan, one of the world’s great conquerors. He provides not only a glimpse of the man himself but also provides insights into the context of Mongol society and warfare. This study will be of use to those interested in military and world history.

From the Publisher

“Paul Lococo has written an admirably clear and accessible study of Genghis Khan. Lococo is thoroughly versed in the primary and secondary literature, and he brings to those sources a keen analytic eye for the crucial aspects of military organization and operations. His insights will benefit specialists, while at the same time his clarity and brevity will make this an especially fine book for classroom use.”—Stephen Morillo, Jane and Frederic M. Hadley Chair in History, Wabash College, and coauthor of War in World History: Society, Technology and War from Ancient Times to the Present

Stephen Morillo

“Paul Lococo has written a concise, accessible, and up-to-date biography of Genghis Khan, one of the world’s great conquerors. He provides not only a glimpse of the man himself but also provides insights into the context of Mongol society and warfare. This study will be of use to those interested in military and world history.”—Michael F. Pavokovic, Associate professor of strategy and policy, U.S. Naval War College, and coauthor of What Is Military History?

Michael F. Pavokovic

“A very useful book for anyone seeking an introduction to Genghis’ life and work, the history of China and Central Asia, and the conduct of war on the vast Eurasia plan.”—NYMAS Review

NYMAS Review

“Paul Lococo, Jr. adeptly summarizes the life and career of Chinggis Khan, an impressive feat for the brevity of the book.”—H-War, H-Net Reviews

H-Net Reviews H-War