Conquering the North

Reviews / Votes

'Fascinating stories told exquisitely... Enlightening... poignant.' -The Times 'A beguiling blend of history and intimate narrative - and a delight to read.' -Colin Thubron, author of Shadow of the Silk Road 'History that reads like a novel... Essential reading... Man's insightful analysis of 2,000 years of complex Sino-Russo-Mongolian relations provides crucial context revealing a history of conflict, cooperation and enduring geopolitical significance.' -Unurmaa Janchiv, Honorary Cultural Envoy of Mongolia to the UK & Producer of The Mongol Khan 'We knew more about the Mongols in the 13th century when they battered the gates of Prague and Vienna. John Man fills the knowledge gap with a thought-provoking guide to Mongolia's history since then, its ancient deserts, grasslands and forests caught now between Russia and China.' -Frances Wood, Former curator of Chinese and Mongolian at the British Library, author of The Silk Road and many other books on China 'The complex, epic story of China's relations with Russia and Mongolia over the last two millennia has shaped not just the Asian region, but the rest of the world. John Man's highly readable account of how nomadic peoples pitted themselves against farm settlers, and the steppes fought against cities, achieves the miraculous feat of making sense of this multilayered story while also making it accessible. He is a guide par excellence of a history everyone should know. With his excellent book, we finally have a place to go to do this.' -Kerry Brown, author of CEO, China 'John Man is a historian who masterfully blends meticulous research with the art of storytelling. In Conquering the North, he unearths a treasure trove of gripping narratives and captivating characters... Man's storytelling doesn't just illuminate history; it pulses with life, weaving tales that linger long after the page is turned. Conquering the North evokes the spirit of The Great Game, offering a narrative that is as educational as it is thoroughly entertaining.' -Lijia Zhang, author of Lotus