On the Trail of Genghis Khan

October 15, 2013

Never having ridden a horse did not discourage young Australian adventurer and filmmaker Cope from realizing his dream: being the first person in 700 years to repeat successfully Genghis Khan's remarkable journey. The trip took three years to complete and encompassed parts of Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Russia, Crimea, Ukraine, and Hungary. Detailed maps that include notes on Cope's activities give readers a sense of his ongoing challenge. He dealt with horse thieves, wolves, mountains, steppes, deserts, and temperatures ranging from -50 to +50 degrees Celsius. Sadly, Cope abandoned his trip when his father was killed in an automobile accident. The author wanted to learn about Mongolia's history, culture, and relationship with the environment. Not only did he succeed but he produced a documentary to share his knowledge. The epilog serves to update readers on the sometimes moving lives and situations of the people Cope met on the trail, including 160 families who welcomed him. VERDICT Adventure buffs will want to get in the saddle and visit an area that might be less welcoming in the future.--Susan G. Baird, formerly with Oak Lawn P.L., IL

Copyright 2013 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 25, 2013
What a tale this is! Adventurer, author and filmmaker Tim Cope gives us an awe-inspiring account of his three-year trek on horseback from Karakorum, the ancient capital of Mongolia, to the Danube River in Hungary, retracing the journeys of Genghis Khan and his warriors as they expanded their empire. Unaccompanied for the majority of the journey except by his sturdy horses and faithful dog Tigon, Cope battles the scorching heat of summer and sub-zero winter temperatures, seemingly endless steppes and daunting ranges, obstructive bureaucracy, personal setbacks, constant money problems and the sheer scale of this mammoth undertaking. That he succeeds is due to a combination of his determination to experience and understand the nomadic lifestyles of the former inhabitants of these regions, the ingrained hospitality of the locals (70 families in Kazakhstan alone), previous adventuring experience, and unusual skill in defusing potentially hostile encounters on the road. He peppers his narrative with brief histories of tribal groups including Mongols, Huns, Scythians, Magyars, Hutsuls, the tragic Tatars of the Crimea and many more, giving the book added interest and depth. This will appeal to armchair travellers, real adventurers, history buffs and anyone yearning for a simpler, more natural life, or just an inspiring read.

Max Oliver is a veteran Australian bookseller and traveller