Product Description

This adaptation of what is recognized today as the oldest Mongolian text (written two decades after Chingis Khan`s death) tells the Mongols` own version of the origin of their nation, the life of Chingis Khan, and the creation of an empire that stretched across Eurasia in the 13th century. Adapted from Francis Woodman Cleaves` erudite translation, it is presented here as a narrative poem in colloquial English. An overview of medieval Asia, maps, lineage charts, a glossary of proper names, and a bibliography are included. This expanded edition includes a 17th-century account of Chingis Khan`s death and a new essay by the author.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #546910 in Books
• Published on: 1998-07-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

From the Publisher
This adaptation of what is recognized today as the oldest Mongolian text (written two decades after Chingis Khan's death) tells the Mongols' own version of the origin of their nation, the life of Chingis Khan, and the creation of an empire that stretched across Eurasia in the Thirteenth century. Kahn has adapted the scholarly English of Francis Woodman Cleaves' erudite translation in colloquial English, making this exciting narrative accessible to all readers. It is written "as an act of research and imagination," an example of story-telling as history which offers not only an accurate and dramatic description of Mongolian culture and heritage, but wisdom and insight into the humanity of this small group that ruled much of Asia, Russia, and the Middle East for nearly two hundred years.

Although it opens in a mythical past, The Secret History of the Mongols quickly becomes a treasure-trove of factual information, not only about the life and career of Chingis Khan, but also about the Mongolian people. It describes in fascinating detail the daily life, social structures, and customs of the tribes of Central Asia, and in terms of accuracy and immediacy eclipses the more familiar Travels of Marco Polo. An overview of medieval Asia, maps, lineage charts, a glossary of proper names, and a bibliography are included. This expanded edition includes a Seventeenth century account of Chingis Khan's death and a recent essay by the author.

Customer Reviews

Read! And feel Mongol history and Chingis Khan.
The Secret History of the Mongols is one of the most important primary source for study of Mongol history and Chingis Khan. Also, this book is very impressive poet like Homor's great works. I know Francis Woodman Cleaves has already translated it into English. He is great master of Mongol history, however, his "King James English" is terrible, especially foreigners like me. Paul Khan's work overcomes this big problem. The easy and spoken English let everyone enjoy it. Now, read it, enjoy it, and feel the "World Conqueror"

The Poor Man's Chinggis Khan
This is one of the least thorough interpretations of The Secret History of the Mongols. Anyone who finds this book of any interest should read the same book translated by Francis Woodman Cleaves or Igor de Rachewiltz, both versions are considerably better.

Paul Kahn's Secret History: Light and Unsatisfying
This is a fine, light adaptation of the same by Francis Woodman Cleaves. I recommend this book to a new Mongol fan. But if you are serious about Mongols you should know that this work misses a lot of the original content.

For example, Paul Kahn removed from the early part the origins of most of the Mongol clans that join Chingis in the middle, which includes the heritage of many characters. That would have only made perfect sense to include, although he seems to think it would be boring for some.

I give Paul Kahn credit for adapting a difficult book. I do not know Mongolian either. But for another example, he wrote:

"...you live by some rule that says, I don't need to be offered some food before I take something to eat. You have the custom of eating whatever you can find,"

where it should be something like,

"The rule for someone like you is that she is not to be given something to eat just because she is called. The rule for someone like you is that she eats if she happens to find something,"

which makes a lot more sense in context (the princesses are telling Chingis' mother she is invited to the feast but not owed meat, not telling her she is not invited, and accusing her of being a scavenger.)

I should also mention the seemingly phony line divisions he added to make it look like an epic poem. So, my advice is to get the Cleaves version if you are serious about Mongols, or about this work in particular. Get this one if you are new to Mongols and don't want a difficult book.