Conquering the North – China, Russia, Mongolia: 2,000 Years of Conflict
I first read John Man back in the mid-2000’s when I discovered his biography of Genghis Khan and was instantly hooked. His knack for engaging storytelling coupled with in-depth research was captivating.
Over the years I’ve read many of Man’s books. His history of Samurai and Ninja are great. For the medievalist, you can’t go wrong with Man’s biography of Saladin or Marco Polo. Both are outstanding books.
When I was offered the chance to review Man’s latest book, Conquering the North, I couldn’t refuse.
Conquering the North China, Russia, Mongolia: 2,000 Years of Conflict is a robust history of the historic rivalry between China and Mongolia.
From the Publisher:
The Great Wall of China—stretching from the arid rises of Gansu province to the cold waters of the Bohai Sea remains an enduring symbol of Chinese might. And yet for all its grandeur, the Wall also marks a vulnerability: an ever-present reminder of old battle-lines and never-ending tension with China’s northern neighbors.
Traveling by sacred mountains and along forgotten trade routes, John Man journeys through China and Mongolia, tracing the contours of their uneasy shared histories. From the tumult of the Warring States Period to the present day, Man weaves a thrilling tale of battling warlords, imperial power plays, Soviet interference, and contemporary political maneuverings.
Looking to the future of the region, Conquering the North canvasses the still fractious interplay of two rival cultures and the continuing struggle for Mongolian sovereignty as China continues to edge north.
John Man’s Conquering the North: China, Russia, Mongolia: 2,000 Years of Conflict is a history spanning over two thousand years exploring the relationship between the civilizations of China and the powerful, nomadic empires of Mongolia.
Spanning from the tumultuous Warring States Period to the struggle for Mongolian sovereignty, Man weaves together a captivating, deeply researched history that thoroughly entertaining.
Man divides the book into four parts, the first focuses on the early, foundational years of the countries, the second focuses on the medieval era and focuses on Genghis Khan, who Man stylizes as Chinggis Khan. Man explains the spelling (and pronunciation) in an appendix. It’s a compelling reason why we’ve been mispronouncing the great Khan’s name for centuries. I may even try to adopt the new pronunciation. Maybe, old dog, new tricks…
The final two parts march into modern history and offer a stark look at battles, military maneuvers and political intrigue that is rarely discussed in the West. Man wraps the book with an epilogue looking at the current geopolitics in the region and the continued rivalry between the cultures.
As a medievalist, I particularly liked part two of the book “Hijacking Chinggis,” which covers medieval Mongolia and China. As a historian, I enjoyed the entire book for the broader context it gave across the different eras. History doesn’t exist in a vacuum, each period shapes the next.
I recommend Conquering the North to anyone who is interesting in the shifting political landscape of North and East Asia. Man takes a complex topic and breaks into engaging, easy-to-digest, pieces for every reading level.
Conquering the North is an essential book for anyone looking to know more about the pivotal region. John Man’s ability to illuminate a massive era of history with intimate narrative details has produced a book that is as educational as it is entertaining. It is equally accessible for the beginning historian as well as comprehensive enough for the seasoned academic.
Medieval Archives gives Conquering the North China, Russia, Mongolia: 2,000 Years of Conflict 4 out of 5 stars
Disclaimer: Medieval Archives received a complimentary copy of Conquering the North China, Russia, Mongolia: 2,000 Years of Conflict for review purposes
Add Conquering the North to you ‘must read’ list and grab your copy today! Or put it at the top of your Christmas list! You won’t be disappointed.
To purchase a copy of Conquering the North China, Russia, Mongolia: 2,000 Years of Conflict visit the publisher’s website https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Conquering-the-North/John-Man/9781639369973 or find it on Amazon.com.
About the Author
John Man
is a historian specializing in Asia and the nature of leadership. John’s books have been published in over twenty languages around the world and include bestselling biographies of Genghis Khan, Kublai Khan, and Attila the Hun, as well as histories of the Great Wall of China and the Mongolian Empire. He lives in England.
