On the Trail of Genghis Khan
Reviewed By Ian Banks December 16, 2013
Author Tim Cope
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ISBN: 978-1-4088-4221-8
Publisher: Bloomsbury
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Website: http://www.bloomsbury.com
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Genghis Khan set out to build the largest land empire in history and succeeded. Tim Cope set out to follow in his footsteps, not to build an empire but to attempt to understand those who still live a similar nomadic lifestyle, challenged by politics and the modern influences, but somehow still managing to remain living on the Steppes with their lifestyle and their horses.
The journey took three years, the experience changed his life. The end result has been lifelong friendships with many of the people who call the Steppes, somewhere between Mongolia and Hungary, home.
Unlike Genghis Kahn and his troops who had up to five horses each with which to campaign, Tim Cope had to somehow develop an understating of horses and horsemanship that would ensure he, his dog Tigon and his three trusty mounts would be able to travel along a similar route as Genghis Khan, and tribes of nomads, and to be able to survive.
This account, more like a journal, makes for some fascinating reading, the fine detail fleshing out a journey which encompassed actual events that happened in past times, the effects of which are still felt today, hardship along the way, the true spirit of human kindness, and so much more, which would challenge the hardiest explorer.
After spending some considerable time in preparation for this monumental journey the Spring of 2004 saw Tim set off into the unknown, a novice horseman, on a journey which would push him to his limits and beyond
In 2007 he reached his destination of Opusztaszer, Hungary, older, wiser, an experienced horseman, considerably more knowledgeable about himself and the nomads of the Eurasian Steppes.
The journey was epic, the book is epic, the life changing experiences, those that make you understand history, while living it, while offering to all who read it, a unique look at and understanding of, a traditional lifestyle which somehow has managed to survive since the thirteenth century and beyond..