The second book in the Conqueror series is an outstanding contribution to the historical fiction genre. Following on from Wolf of the Plains, Lords of the Bow begins with the Mongol nation having been united under the rule of Temujin, the Genghis Khan. Fighting and conquering rival nomadic factions, the tribes are drawn together under the leadership of one man for the first time. This momentous turning point in history is given a superb treatment from Iggulden. Temujin's character, his flaws and his abilities follow on without halt from book 1 and the character development of those around him is of the very highest order.

In particular, it is the relationships that form and ebb throughout the book that knit the whole together. The narrative of battle, conquering, and violence is well known history but Iggulden's characters are believable. Iggulden understands that being ruthless was a fundamental part of the success of Genghis. He is tested as are his brothers by those who have seen their own authority diminished by the rise of Temujin. The differences between the characters are intriguingly drawn for the modern audience - Temuge for instance is derided consistently for his lack of abilities but he is the one who most closely represents the modern day aesthetic and he who is relied on to take care of the pragmatic busines of running a nation.

Temujin's other brothers Khasar and Kachuin form differing characters - Khasar the traditional barbarian, perhaps the model to which we still view the Mongol hordes as a savage and unstoppable brute. Kachuin though is the more subtle picture, his worldview coloured by the events of book 1 and the bond established during that time with Temujin.

It is the relationship with women though that is the most impressive. Not pandering to our current world views, the Mongols are unapologetic for the role of women in their society. Temujin's wife Borte is loyal and strong but Temujin is the great conqueror and in reality there are countless millions who claim descent from Genghis Khan. The second wife Chakahai is unlike Borte - she is feminine, submissive, and beautiful. The role of women in our own society is yet to resolve itself between these two positions.

Iggulden's story also develops the politics of tribal affairs. The shaman Kokchu is the explicit recognition of this. His tale is of power lust, something most probably underplayed elsewhere amongst the characters. He is undoubtedly a villain but the way he treats his own female slave is just a step on the continuum of behaviour away from the main heroic characters. Kokchu questions the reader - where does the line of acceptable and unacceptable fall and what can realistically be done to impose that distinction?

The bulk of Lords of the Bow details the campaign against the Chinese Xi Xia kingdom. Genghis learns to adapt his warriors fighting style to meet opponents hiding behind city walls. The battles are not those of the Steppe, they are sieges and as such have to be conducted very differently. They are also epic in scope, not the personalised fights of Wolf of the Plains. Here nameless hundreds die. This is war. It is painful at times but the underlying morality is that of all existance - the only way to stop violence is to be strong enough to fight it.

Not all of the book is perfect though. I had serious quibbles with the descriptions of the Uighurs. The concept of nationhood is built on ethnicity and I think this an anachronistic interpretation. Uighurs are not Mongols, they are more closely related to the Tartars the Mongols claim to hate. This is glossed over presumably for the sake of the readership as our nations were typically forged through an ethnic national identity.

The side adventure into China featuring Khasar, Temuge, and Ho-Sa did not make a great deal of sense but was good fun. Equally the introduction of Tsubodai as a grinning optimist wasn't quite the set up for one of the greatest generals of all time to have his tale start considering how skillfully drawn out most of the other characters are.

Overall, this difficult second book in a trilogy is outstanding. The narrative is fast paced, thoughtful, and fascinating. The first real conquests of the settled world bring Genghis into international recognition, and the story that started out in Wolf of the Plains as a struggling outcast is carried on here as the young leader finds his way in warfare, in the challenges of leadership, and most of all in the national identity and culture he forges. This is excellent historical fiction. ( )

I grabbed this book by chance as I wandered through the local bookstore and never regretted this choice.

Igguldens way of writing gripped me right from the start and his characters are very thought out with feelings and motivations of their own. His Mixing of historical events and fiction is good and I especially loved the part at the end of the book where he tells what parts are backed by historical evidence and which are fiction.

The story itself takes place in the early 1200 with the Unification of the mongolian tribes. Starting from this point Ghengis leads his new nation like an avalanche through the medieval china winning battle after battle while learning new tactics and weapons to deal with the Walls of the chinese and siege warfare.

I can't wait to read the other books of this series. ( )

The second in the series. It was good but didn't quite live up to the standard set in the first book in the series for me. ( )

Good historical fodder with a rattling good yarn wrapped up in solid historical research and just enough speculation to credibly fill the gaps. An Improvement on the 'Emperor' series. ( )

The second of Conn Iggulden's trilogy of the life of Genghis Khan concentrates on the conflicts between the wandering Mongols and the urban Chinese. In the early years of the 1200s, a young Genghis has done the unthinkable: united the warring tribes of Mongols under his rule. The Mongols are all about conquest, and Genghis leads tens of thousands of men and their families across the Gobi Desert to seek revenge on the Chin (Chinese), who have long held military and trading power over his people. The growing army conquers vassal states, makes allies, burns cities and fields, and kills millions on its way to the capital city of Yenking (Beijing). After a long siege, which includes interludes of spying, poisonings, and assassinations both in the Mongol camp and within the city walls, the starving Chinese (who have been reduced to cannibalism) surrender, and the boy emperor is forced to kneel before the great khan. The book ends on a cliff-hanger, as the Chinese break the pact of peace and Genghis sends his brothers back to the city to destroy everything in their path.

Besides describing the battles and politics, the books delves into what happens when two very different cultures come in contact under hostile conditions. Despite the power play, each group learns from the other -- whether it be book learning, the arts, and luxuries or warfare, discipline, and ingenuity.

A running theme in the book is the relationship bewteen sons and fathers. Men remember their childhoods and wish their fathers could see their successes or offer advice. Men look at their sons with mixed feelings and wonder if they are raising them correctly. Boys are caught between feeling love and respect for their fathers while seeing them as flawed individuals.

I didn't know that much about Genghis Khan's life or how he and his sons conquered most of the known world. Some quick research (via reliable and respected sources) shows that Iggulden has stuck to the facts fairly well, making some changes to suit the flow of fiction. I recommened this trilogy for those wishing to learn more about medieval Asia and the story of the khan.

Lords of the Bow did not repeat information given in the first book. Genghis: Birth of an Empire covers about the first 30 years of the khan's life and provides the needed background for understanding the relationships among Genghis and his family and presents the key events that shaped Genghis's personality and desires. I am looking forward to reading the final book in the trilogy, Genghis: Bones of the Hills. ( )