Genghis: Birth of an Empire - Conn Iggulden

Conn introduces us to Temujin, son of Yesugei, as he is being born. Yesugei is the Khan of the Wolves. One of many Mongol tribes. Temujin is his second son. Born with a clot of blood in his hand, the people view this a terrible omen. There will be much death around him. Temujin is the Mongol word for iron. It is a truelly fitting name for the boy.

We travel with Temujin through his childhood. Witnessing the many rights of passage a Mongol must survive on the way to becoming a man. The events that most profoundly influence him happen just after the death of his father. His father's most trusted bondsman takes control of the tribe and banishes Temujin, his brothers and his mother.

Surviving in exhile, Temujin discovers begins building the Mongol nation by uniting the individuals and families that have been banished from thier tribes. With the combined skills and knowledge of his following, Temujin begins to conquer and absorb the many Mongol tribes.

Conn is a masterful story teller. He does not even touch on the events that Genghis is most known for. And yet, I could not put the book down. Genghis means "sea of grass." It is not until the last paragraph of the book that Temujin takes the name we know him for. Temujin takes his title to literally proclaim himslelf the Khan of all the land.