Eureka

Razib and I discuss “Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World” by Jack Weatherford, which Razib had recommended. We deep dive on the book, read extracts and discuss the Mongols and related history.

We discuss:

• The profound achievements and impact of the Mongols


• Potential relationship between the founding story of the Mongols and the story of Genesis


• Cultural and political aspects


• Military tactics and brutality


• How they seem somewhat liberal and globalist in a surprisingly modern way


• How they seemed in many ways less brutal than their contemporaries


• The decadence of second and third generation Khans


• Other downstream effects of their rule