On a recent episode of Our Reading Life, I described The Golden Hawks of Genghis Khan as one of the best living history books I have ever read. This novel, republished by Bethlehem Books and The Good and the Beautiful, is a thrilling adventure that not only captivates readers with its exciting story, but also invites readers into the often unexplored world of Genghis Khan.
In the West, Genghis Khan is often portrayed as a ruthless conqueror, but this book suggests an alternative point of view. One that neither glorifies nor vilifies him but instead explores the cultural and historical realities of his time and place. Rather than attempting to rewrite history, this middle-grade novel allows readers to see the Mongol world through the eyes of a young protagonist who is wrestling with his own ideas of The Khan. Unique, and well done, this story is a rare and valuable addition to the Western canon.
The Golden Hawks of Genghis Khan follows a bright, capable, and likable orphan from Samarkand named Jalair. Jalair was raised by his grandfather who was a powerful member of the court of the Shah. Jalair had always been fascinated by hawks, a passion that infuriated his grandfather. In their society, men who work with their hands—such as falconers—are excluded from nobility status. His grandfather was desperate to steer him away from hawking. In an effort to make Jalair loyal to the Shah, Kurush tells his grandson that Jalair’s father was a master falconer who bred a rare lineage of golden hawks, and Genghis Khan was so enamored with those hawks that he brutally killed Jalair’s parents to obtain them.
Fueled by a sense of purpose to avenge his father’s memory, the boy runs away and pretends to be a street urchin in order to join a Mongolian caravan headed to Karakorum where he hopes to find the hawks and rescue them and return them to Samarkand. He is unexpectedly adopted by a caravan leader, given favored-son status in the leader’s family, and is ultimately presented to Genghis Khan himself. Instead of the monster he expected, he finds a powerful yet complex ruler who recognizes his extraordinary skill with birds of prey. The Khan decides to apprentice Jalair to the chief falconer.
Jalair’s adoptive family, his hawking mentors, and even the Khan himself become powerfully good influences in his life. When an unexpected arrival appears in Karakorum, Jalair realizes that he is living two lives or one life of divided loyalties. As he faces perilous trials, moral dilemmas, and tests of character, he is forced to reconsider everything he once believed. Like any of us, he must make split-second decisions based on imperfect information.
This novel is a masterpiece of historical adventure for young readers. It overflows with intrigue, action, and exotic people and places. It offers a vivid depiction of Mongolian life during Genghis Khan’s reign. The storytelling is compelling, the character development is rich, and the moral lessons are absolutely on point.
Though The Golden Hawks of Genghis Khan is, unfortunately, out of print in physical form, Bethlehem Books has made it available as an e-book and an audiobook. If you are looking for a book that combines history, adventure, and a fresh perspective on an often-misunderstood era, this is a must-read.