The Secret History of the Mongol Queens

How the Daughters of Genghis Khan Rescued His Empire

By: Jack Weatherford

Narrated by: Robertson Dean

The Mongol queens of the thirteenth century ruled the greatest empire the world has ever known. Yet sometime near the end of the century, censors cut a section from The Secret History of the Mongols, leaving a single tantalizing quote from Genghis Khan: “Let us reward our female offspring.”

Only this hint of a father’s legacy for his daughters remained of a much larger story. The queens of the Silk Route turned their father’s conquests into the world’s first truly international empire, fostering trade, education, and religion throughout their territories and creating an economic system that stretched from the Pacific to the Mediterranean. Outlandish stories of these powerful queens trickled out of the empire, shocking the citizens of Europe and the Islamic world.

At the conclusion of his magnificently researched and groundbreaking narrative, Jack Weatherford notes that the deeds of these Mongol queens inspired great artists from Chaucer and Milton to Goethe and Puccini, and so their stories live on today.

With The Secret History of the Mongol Queens, Weatherford restores the queens’ missing chapter to the annals of history.

©2010 Jack Weatherford (P)2010 Random House

Critic reviews

"Uplifting, entertaining history.”—Kirkus Reviews

Only Listened to the last Chapter

only listened to the last chapter because I actually own the paperback version of it, but about 20 pages were missing and they were, of course, the LAST 20 pages. couldn't wait to buy another paper copy of the book so i got it here.
I really like the book so of course I like the story, but cant speak for the performance.

Fascinating

The book is fascinating story telling and serves to make us aware of the missing stories in history and their importance.

Compelling

My interest was piqued after watching Netflix series Marco Polo. I just wanted to know more about Mongolia. Enjoyed this book very much am able to work & listen, am an artisan. Often I would stop my work & attentively listen & marvel at what was being said. Remarkable civilization, loved that there were many outstanding, courageous women.
Descriptive, well written albeit lengthy, enjoyed the voice of the narrator.

unknown to me

will do this again again.amazing in detail and respect for hardy spirited indomitable people but a special place for heroic women

The Things You Learn

My eyes were opened to an unknown world. Am going to check out more on Khan. The narrator A+ , he could read the phone book and make it interesting .

The Secret HISTORY OF THE MONGOL QUEEN S

This is an amazing and enthralling book.Even more so the second time I read it.. Thank you.

great book.

excellent narrator. Great research and history. Thanks for expanding my knowledge of the peoples of this world.

Great History. Comprehensive

I liked thid very much. It brought the subject to life. Delivery was excellent. Story very interesting indeed.

A weaker almost fairy-tale rendition.

I didn't enjoy as much as his previous book. mainly because he jumped around to much.

An outstanding "read"

What made the experience of listening to The Secret History of the Mongol Queens the most enjoyable?

Robertson Dean took an excellent story, filled with "strange" names and far off places, and made it come alive.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Secret History of the Mongol Queens?

The part where Queen Manduhai falls off her horse when heavily pregnant and her warriors create a human wall and save her.

Which character – as performed by Robertson Dean – was your favorite?

The insights into an ancient culture and ways was my favourite aspect of the book.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The part where Queen Manduhai falls off her horse when heavily pregnant and her warriors create a human wall and save her.

Any additional comments?

Well worth listening to.