books:

	Genghis Khan's Greatest General: Subotai the Valiant Richard A. Gabriel University of Oklahoma Press, 2006 - 164 pages average customer review:based on 5 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

When Subotai died at age seventy-three, he had conquered thirty-two nations and won sixty-five pitched battles, according to Muslim historians. Had the great Khan not died, Subotai likely would have destroyed Europe itself.

for more information click here

Loved It

Unfortunately little information is available from that era as to Subotai the man. As a subordinate, the scribes of the Royal Court would have naturally spent most of their historical writings (accurate or exaggerated) about the Khans themselves more than their subordinate generals. I believe that the author was fortunate to have scraped together what information that he could for this book by referencing what little material there is out there that cover Subotai the man (and his boyhood, etc., etc.). Of course maybe some more historical novels would be the right answer in that way some novelist's opinion could be used as an accurate measure of "who was Subotai"!

I believe that the author did an exceptional job in outlining the tremendously advanced tactical, operational, and strategical methods that Subotai (along with methods also developed by Genghis as he united the various Mongol tribes into one entity and then organized them). At a minimum, Subotai ranks up there with the greatest military commanders of all times: Alexander, Rommel, Jackson, etc. - but in reality, was so advanced for his time in history and developed to such a degree advancements that would not be seen again for centuries and possessed such an overall record of achievement (conquering 32 nations and winning 65 battles) that one must consider him most probably THE greatest military commander of all time to this point.

With the information prsented in this book - that is so lacking just about anywhere else - I can forgive the fact that the author didn't report on personal historical facts that he had no references to draw from!

for more information click here

A strictly military history

An interesting, readable and fairly unique book. There are a number of books discuss the Mongol military history, but Gabriel makes point that although Mongol military history is covered in books on that particular subject, it is neglected in general military history, and one of his purposes in writing this book is the urge a rectification of the omission. I don't know of any other books on the Mongols that focus on one of the generals -- generally biographies are strictly about Chinghis Khan and Kublai Khan. This is a great pity: even a book of short biographies of other personalities could add enormously to one's understanding of the period. Gabriel here sticks pretty closely to Subotai military career, except in discussing the beginning and end of his life. Personally, if there is more information, I wish it was included, because the biographies of characters who are poorly documented or less important can be the vehicle for a general exploration of a typical life of that class and era. That of course is a personal opinion, and I don't fault the book on that account. Recommended to people interested in Asian and military history.

for more information click here

Not too bad

Purchased for father. He said he read it front to back and for a man that doesn't read a whole lot of books, that probably says something!


A book, less about the man, more about the campaigns

When I purchased the book, I had hoped it would be more about the man behind many of the great Khan's successful campaigns. Gabriel provides plenty of insights in an easy-to-read novel about a master military tactician.

I had hoped that the book would contain more information with regards to Subotai's character. What makes him tick? The introduction was good, which provided a history of young Subotai, and I certainly would like to have read more about his development.

for more information click here

Falls a bit short of expectation's

As a book about Mongol tactics and campaigns it was quite good, as a book about Subotai Bagatur it fell a bit short of my expectations. I have read a few books about Genghis Khan and this one doesn't deviate to far from what I have learned and I give the author some points for the graphs and such detailing mongol tactics, but Gabriel leaves quite a few factual points unattended. At some points he explains events very thoroughly and at other points he gives you educated guesses, which for me was a bit of a downer.

He does deserve credit for trying to undertake a project such as a biography of Subotai, but I am forced to wonder if he just used the title to grab attention, because the main points are not even about Subotai. This book would be much smaller if it were just left to Subotai because there is so much filler that is unrelated, yet still interesting, to the title of the book.

You might be better off picking a different book unless you really want to know what little there is to know about Subotai.

for more information click here

products you might be interested in

genghis

	Genghis: Bones of the Hills Genghis Khan: Life, Death, and Resurrection Understanding Iraq: The Whole Sweep of Iraqi History, from Genghis ... Genghis Khan: 13th Century Mongolian Tyrant (A Wicked History) Genghis Khan's Greatest General: Subotai the Valiant