Genghis: Birth of an Empire

Temujin is the second son of Yesugei, khan of the Wolves. When his father dies after an ambush, Yesugei's top warrior, Eeluk, takes over the tribe and leaves the family on the steppe to die in winter. They survive in poverty, and Temujin kills his older brother, Bekter, in a fight over food. Captured by Eeluk's riders and held in a pit, he is freed by Arslan and his son, Jelme, and with them he founds a new tribe. He rescues his wife, Borte, from the Tartars, allies with Toghrul, khan of the Kerait. He beats the Tartars, defeats Eeluk in single combat and takes back the Wolves. In the end, he proclaims himself khan of all the Mongol tribes and takes the name Genghis.

1. Behind the scenesResearch on the steppe

   Iggulden wrote this book after finishing his Emperor series about Julius Caesar. For research he traveled through rural Mongolia, and he describes the trip in his author's note.

   source ↗
2. Behind the scenesNot much on record

   Almost nothing was written down about Genghis Khan's youth: 12th-century nomads didn't write. The author fills the gaps around the few known facts, which explains some liberties with history.

   source ↗
3. SetupKeep an eye on the Chin

   Watch the Chin emissary who shows up offering alliances. The walled empire beyond the desert will matter a lot in this series.

   source ↗