Status
Available
Call number
Series
Publication
Helsingissä : Otava, 2013.
Description
Fiction. Historical Fiction. HTML:"Iggulden's trilogy [is] a feat of rousing, adventure-packed storytelling ... a kind of fictionalized Dangerous Book, loaded with the lore of warfare, horsemanship, strategy, and exotic geography and history, along with the perils as well as the virtues of an unrelenting ethos of manliness.". "The exciting third novel in Iggulden's Genghis Khan series ... is epic historical fiction at its finest: exciting, suspenseful, colorful and well-grounded in fact.... Iggulden's vivid descriptions of bloody battles, masterful sieges and political intrigue are gripping.... With this tale, it is easy to see why the name Genghis is synonymous with conquest and military genius.". HTML: From the author of the bestselling The Dangerous Book for Boys BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Conn Iggulden's Khan: Empire of Silver. From Conn Iggulden, #1 bestselling author of six historical epics and coauthor of the international sensation The Dangerous Book for Boys, comes a magnificent new work of fiction. Here, the Mongol conqueror Genghis Khan, stalked by enemies seen and unseen and plagued by a divided family, leads a sprawling force of horsemen beyond the realm of their known world. He will bring a storm to Arab lands and face the armies of the shah in all their strength. From the fierce cold plains of Mongolia to the Korean Peninsula, Genghis's brothers, sons, and commanders have made emperors bow, slaughtering vast armies of fighting men. But as Genghis enters a strange new land of towering mountains and arid desert, he stirs an enemy greater than any he has met before. Under his command, Shah Ala-ud-Din Mohammed has thousands of fierce Arab warriors, teeming cavalry, and terrifying armored elephants. When Genghis strikes, the Arabs prove their mettle. On the verge of defeat, Genghis is forced to leave his own vast encampment, and the women and children in it, in the path of an enraged, savage enemy. While the Mongols--men, women, and children--fight back, as secret assassins are sent into the night, another battle is taking shape. Two of Genghis's sons, Jochi and Chagatai, are steeped in enmity. Warriors choose between them, and a murderer commits an unspeakable crime. Soon the most powerful man in the world, who has brought devastation to this land, must choose a successor. And when he does, it will touch off the most bitter conflict of all. In a novel that ranges from the fertile lands of the Chin to the dust and rock of Afghanistan, Conn Iggulden weaves the epic story of history's most enigmatic conqueror --those who feared him, those who defied him, and those whose bones he left behind..… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Malarchy
The third book in the Conqueror series is again first rate historical fiction though considering quite how impressive the first two were, this is the weakest offering. Still, that is only because Wolf of the Plains and Lords of the Bow were quite so impressive that Bones of the Hills is a poorer
Genghis Khan's incursion into the settled world had seen China defeated but not eliminated. This book charts the events that took place when his eyes were cast west and the mighty Persian society of Khorosan. I'll state up front that I had real difficulty with Iggulden's continued description of these as an Arab people. Historical fiction should not make such obvious mistakes. Right from the start with the description of Pashtuns as being Arab, this was a problem. I would have thought given the current western interest in the Afghan region, this was easy to spot as an error and why an editor did not fix this is beyond me. Even the Shah of Khwarazem himself was not an Arab in reality.
With this unnecessary faux pas in mind, Bones of the Hills is still awesome. The battle scenes are often a little reminiscent of those from Lords of the Bow but what is excellent is the way Iggulden adapts the conflicts to meet the Shah's tighter discipline and more advanced tactics. The Mongols had conquered at will before but now they faced up to some of the mightiest armies in the world and to Iggulden's credit he does not portray his characters as all-conquering heroes and at times they are lost. Iggulden recognises the skill of the Persians - after all these were the people who had kept an empire alive right next to the most powerful nation on Earth in the Abbasid Caliphate - and Ala-ud-Din and Jalal-ud-Din are given as much character as many of the Mongols are themselves.
The battlefields are so different from those of the Orient, and their features are described effectively. The winding path up to the stronghold of the Old Man of the Mountains is a world away from the plains the first battles of Wolf took place on and Iggulden's battles reflect those differences.
Despite this being the defining campaign of Genghis Khan's lifetime, the book is really about Genghis as a father. The loyalty of Jalal-ud-Din to his father Ala-ud-Din is a clear and stark contrast to the relationship between Genghis and his eldest son Jochi. Iggulden portrays Jochi as a hugely sympathetic character, a man who was as strong and with more potential even than his own father but who was denied the ability to take up his father's place because Genghis believed Jochi to be illegitimate. The conflict between father and son is seldom exercised in physical form but it is the most cruel and heart rending element of the entire series.
In reality it is Ogedei who succeeds Temujin as the head of the Mongol forces and Iggulden gives the second son Chagatai short shrift. Chagatai went on to found a reasonable dynasty of his own so perhaps Iggulden's character portrayal is a little too unsympathetic. Other characters though are extraordinary. The development of Tsubodai into the foremost general of his age, one of the few generals that history recognises in spite of a great leader above him, Tsubodai's generalship skills are drawn by Iggulden alongside a person who understands the motives and expectations of his enemy. This skill is seen elsewhere in the series but not in a person granted dignity and strength. This is the eastern view of wisdom and Iggulden reflects it brilliantly. The western view of the wormtongued villain is not the only portrayal of cunning in history. Tsubodai's character reflects the symbol of intelligence and ruthlessness in a man of great honour. This character is a real treasure to read.
Ultimately though this is only a good, not a great book. It is torn between the descriptions of the battles against the Shah and the internal battles bewteen father and son. Though the link in the relationship between the Shah and his first born and the Khan and his first born underlie much of the book, the focus is not all that effective. The battle against the Hashashins for instance, the quelling of rebellion and the destruction that took place in Afghanistan that still impacts today are underplayed far too much. The internal politics were superb in books 1 and 2 but book 3 loses its way marginally.
The role of women and the challenges of leadership are again excellently exposed in Bones. The death of Temulun comes in a raid by the Khwarazem against a camp of women and children and this is rightly cast as a terrible act though it is just one of many in the world of the Conqueror series. As a leader, Genghis has to make horrific decisiosn and he does not shy away from them. The survival of his nation is at stake against a formidable foe and these decisions are reflected in the deaths of named characters whose lives are almost discarded by the decisions Genghis makes for the good of the wider community. This plays into Iggulden's understanding of the people and the times.
Despite the shortcomings of the book, this is still terrific historical fiction because it generates emotional attachments to the characters involved. This is not some faceless horde of monsters, it is a group of people who have to make tough decisions and who forge relationships with one another. The series as a whole is magnificent and it is because of Iggulden's fantastic blending of realistic people with the historical events of the times. As a whole, this series is a must read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction.
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relation. In its own right, the concluding part of the tale of Temujin is a gripping, fast paced, and emotionally involved epic. Genghis Khan's incursion into the settled world had seen China defeated but not eliminated. This book charts the events that took place when his eyes were cast west and the mighty Persian society of Khorosan. I'll state up front that I had real difficulty with Iggulden's continued description of these as an Arab people. Historical fiction should not make such obvious mistakes. Right from the start with the description of Pashtuns as being Arab, this was a problem. I would have thought given the current western interest in the Afghan region, this was easy to spot as an error and why an editor did not fix this is beyond me. Even the Shah of Khwarazem himself was not an Arab in reality.
With this unnecessary faux pas in mind, Bones of the Hills is still awesome. The battle scenes are often a little reminiscent of those from Lords of the Bow but what is excellent is the way Iggulden adapts the conflicts to meet the Shah's tighter discipline and more advanced tactics. The Mongols had conquered at will before but now they faced up to some of the mightiest armies in the world and to Iggulden's credit he does not portray his characters as all-conquering heroes and at times they are lost. Iggulden recognises the skill of the Persians - after all these were the people who had kept an empire alive right next to the most powerful nation on Earth in the Abbasid Caliphate - and Ala-ud-Din and Jalal-ud-Din are given as much character as many of the Mongols are themselves.
The battlefields are so different from those of the Orient, and their features are described effectively. The winding path up to the stronghold of the Old Man of the Mountains is a world away from the plains the first battles of Wolf took place on and Iggulden's battles reflect those differences.
Despite this being the defining campaign of Genghis Khan's lifetime, the book is really about Genghis as a father. The loyalty of Jalal-ud-Din to his father Ala-ud-Din is a clear and stark contrast to the relationship between Genghis and his eldest son Jochi. Iggulden portrays Jochi as a hugely sympathetic character, a man who was as strong and with more potential even than his own father but who was denied the ability to take up his father's place because Genghis believed Jochi to be illegitimate. The conflict between father and son is seldom exercised in physical form but it is the most cruel and heart rending element of the entire series.
In reality it is Ogedei who succeeds Temujin as the head of the Mongol forces and Iggulden gives the second son Chagatai short shrift. Chagatai went on to found a reasonable dynasty of his own so perhaps Iggulden's character portrayal is a little too unsympathetic. Other characters though are extraordinary. The development of Tsubodai into the foremost general of his age, one of the few generals that history recognises in spite of a great leader above him, Tsubodai's generalship skills are drawn by Iggulden alongside a person who understands the motives and expectations of his enemy. This skill is seen elsewhere in the series but not in a person granted dignity and strength. This is the eastern view of wisdom and Iggulden reflects it brilliantly. The western view of the wormtongued villain is not the only portrayal of cunning in history. Tsubodai's character reflects the symbol of intelligence and ruthlessness in a man of great honour. This character is a real treasure to read.
Ultimately though this is only a good, not a great book. It is torn between the descriptions of the battles against the Shah and the internal battles bewteen father and son. Though the link in the relationship between the Shah and his first born and the Khan and his first born underlie much of the book, the focus is not all that effective. The battle against the Hashashins for instance, the quelling of rebellion and the destruction that took place in Afghanistan that still impacts today are underplayed far too much. The internal politics were superb in books 1 and 2 but book 3 loses its way marginally.
The role of women and the challenges of leadership are again excellently exposed in Bones. The death of Temulun comes in a raid by the Khwarazem against a camp of women and children and this is rightly cast as a terrible act though it is just one of many in the world of the Conqueror series. As a leader, Genghis has to make horrific decisiosn and he does not shy away from them. The survival of his nation is at stake against a formidable foe and these decisions are reflected in the deaths of named characters whose lives are almost discarded by the decisions Genghis makes for the good of the wider community. This plays into Iggulden's understanding of the people and the times.
Despite the shortcomings of the book, this is still terrific historical fiction because it generates emotional attachments to the characters involved. This is not some faceless horde of monsters, it is a group of people who have to make tough decisions and who forge relationships with one another. The series as a whole is magnificent and it is because of Iggulden's fantastic blending of realistic people with the historical events of the times. As a whole, this series is a must read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction.
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LibraryThing member communityfriend
Outstandingly good. Iggulden sure knows how to draw you into a story. The action is fast and bloody and the pure power of Genghis is thrown out of the pages and right into you. Excellent read pick up his books!
LibraryThing member DavidBurrows
This is as close as historical fiction gets to fantasy. The world the Mongols came from is hard to believe and their lifestyle equally bizarre. The book is well written and you can almost smell the horses. The battle scenes are brutal and vivid. It's a great read and a good way of
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learning/imagining a bit of history. This is the third book in the series and it follows Genghis as he invades and fights in new territories. A cracking read. Show Less
LibraryThing member fengor
In the last book of this series we read about Ghengis Khan adventures in the arab lands.
Provoked by the defiance of a sha ghengis turns his armies toward the hot deserts of arabia and soon finds that he bit off more than he can chew and what started as an act of reprisal soon turns into a fight for
The book is a good finish for the series even if you feel like ghengis compromises on his iron bound principles that held him aloft in the first two books quite a bit. As in the other two books [[Iggulden]] finishes with a chapter where he explaisn his historical sources and which parts have been fictional.
Provoked by the defiance of a sha ghengis turns his armies toward the hot deserts of arabia and soon finds that he bit off more than he can chew and what started as an act of reprisal soon turns into a fight for
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survival. And in all this chaos the wedge between his sons deepens more and more...The book is a good finish for the series even if you feel like ghengis compromises on his iron bound principles that held him aloft in the first two books quite a bit. As in the other two books [[Iggulden]] finishes with a chapter where he explaisn his historical sources and which parts have been fictional.
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LibraryThing member reina10
In his third book of the series, Conn does not disappoint. If you enjoy historical fiction filled with adventure, exotic settings, family feuds, and great military battles this book is for you.
Genghis Khan and his Mongol army continue to mercilessly conquer new lands, as an aging Genghis Khan deals
Genghis Khan and his Mongol army continue to mercilessly conquer new lands, as an aging Genghis Khan deals
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with the feud between his two older sons, and the Arab armies of the Shah- the Mongols strongest enemy yet. The story is well written, well paced, and filled with believable characters. Definitely worth the read. Show Less
LibraryThing member alice443
Typical I picked up the third book in a series without knowing it was a series.
The characters as dictated by history are really too unpleasant to make the story very enjoyable. But they come close to life and the story helps to explain the way mongols behaved. In most of my studies were were
This helped me to understand the mongol motivation, but it is just too much to be enjoyable.
The characters as dictated by history are really too unpleasant to make the story very enjoyable. But they come close to life and the story helps to explain the way mongols behaved. In most of my studies were were
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focused on a society (like that of Russia) invaded by the Mongols and one tends to accept their mystification at the Mongol behaviour.This helped me to understand the mongol motivation, but it is just too much to be enjoyable.
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LibraryThing member ulfhjorr
The third book in this series does not disappoint. Iggulden takes characters from the pages of history and breathes new life into them. Through his words, we see life for the Mongols as close to how they saw it as we can get.
LibraryThing member DebbieMcCauley
The third book in the Conqueror series. An older and wiser Genghis Khan has nearly broken the Chin (China) when people to the West in the Persian society of Khorosan refuse to submit. He fights his was through Korea, all the way to the territory of Shah Ala-ud-din Mohammed in central Asia. There
Genghis is also dealing with the infighting amongst his son's and must make a decision on an heir before his nation is divided into factions. Revenge also burns for the murder of his younger sister until justice is finally served.
A well told conclusion to the series that provides an intriguing insight into the life of this important historical figure.
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Genghis meets his match in the Shah's thousands of warriors and armed elephants.Genghis is also dealing with the infighting amongst his son's and must make a decision on an heir before his nation is divided into factions. Revenge also burns for the murder of his younger sister until justice is finally served.
A well told conclusion to the series that provides an intriguing insight into the life of this important historical figure.
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LibraryThing member bdtrump
Iggulden further develops his series to paint Genghis and his followers in a mixed light - with the capability of greatness and destruction at the same time. Where the first two works painted Genghis' exploits as against a heavily armed and repressive enemy, this work instead shows how the Mongol
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Empire evolved into a destructive and terrifying force in its own right. Show Less
LibraryThing member thegeneral
I read this book over the Christmas break and enjoyed doing so. There is a good pace to the narrative and the events, particularly the battle scenes, are described vividly. The trilogy was a very plausible narrative about the origins and the life and times of Genghis Khan and like the Emperor
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series was highly enjoyable. Show Less
LibraryThing member oliver-kaye
Can't get enough.
LibraryThing member karatelpek
Having lived in Central Asia for 3 years, I was disappointed with Bones of the Hills. While the battle descriptions and drama between Genghis and his sons was well written and compelling, this book was far more fantasy and less historical fiction. Describing the Turkic and Persian people of Central
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Asia as "Arabs" was not only inaccurate, it was unnecessary. Would the reader really be turned off if the "souks" of Central Asia had been written as "bazaars" as they are known in Turkic and Persian. Labeling all the people and rulers of Central Asia as "Arabs" bothered me every time. It was as if you wrote a book about Scotland, and the author labeled the people living there as Irish or English. Berbers and Bedouins don't live in Central Asia, they live thousands of miles away in North Africa. For me the draw of historical fiction is to educate and entertain at the same time, this novel did little of both. A missed opportunity... Show Less
LibraryThing member sochri
A great ending to a great series. It was very difficult to put this one down (just like the others). His concerns about what he had created at the end were very striking. The details in the entire series were amazing, and really helped the story flow.
It could have been very boring and repetitive
It could have been very boring and repetitive
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with battle after battle, but it was so well written that you almost didn't notice. The modifications that they were able to make so quickly and the knowledge that they were able to gain from the peoples they conquered, was amazing. Show Less
LibraryThing member dandelionroots
Not as engaging as the first two in the series. Genghis is insulted by a Shah on the western border of his growing empire and once again proves that to underestimate him is to die. Curious to see how his legacy is upheld by his successors, but worried that this book will mark a downward slope in
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the series. Show Less
LibraryThing member sjh4255
Another great chapter to one of the greatest conquerers of all time. No pity for his enemies, and a thorough strategy to overcome odds and a very mobile nation that can respond to any threat.
LibraryThing member JHemlock
The third volume in the series is brings Genghis to the west and sees him head to head with the armies of Islam. Well written and thought it out we see the generals and Genghis growing and learning. Tsubodai is an amazing character. His ability to work around the enemy and use their own tactics is
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unparalleled. The stories in general seem to kind of gravitate towards him. Well, without him the Mongols might not have achieved all they did. Conflicts from within and from the outside put all the characters in precarious situations. I found myself seriously mad at the Khan for his treatment of Jochi. But what can you do. You cannot blame Genghis for feeling the way he did, but the overall treatment of his son, regardless of his lineage is sad to watch as it unfolds. This is a great series. I will be glad when they are done, not because I am tired of reading them...but because I have an entire shelf of Iggulden books to devour. Show Less
LibraryThing member bicyclewriter
The third book in the series, this one slows down considerably, and keeps the reader far less engaged than the first two. It's still really good storytelling, I just got the impression that the author had decided to make x number of novels, and each one to cover y period and events, and he just
I took a little break when I finished it, reading something else in-between, so that tells you how much "I couldn't wait" for the story to continue. I have since, however, picked up the fourth in the series.
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wasn't that excited about this particular time in the history of Genghis.I took a little break when I finished it, reading something else in-between, so that tells you how much "I couldn't wait" for the story to continue. I have since, however, picked up the fourth in the series.
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LibraryThing member kslade
Fun historical novel about Genghis which covers from the height of his empire to his death.
I read the other two previous ones earlier (the first one about a year ago).
I read the other two previous ones earlier (the first one about a year ago).
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2009
Physical description
559 p.; 17.8 cm
ISBN
9789511252436