Emperor of the Seas: Kublai Khan and the Making of China
Jack Weatherford based the title of this book on an inscription carved in a stone in the Great Wall of China, about 130 miles from the sea, referring ironically to the Mongol ruler as “Emperor of the Seas.”
Kublai was born four years after his grandfather Genghis began his incursion into China in 1211. Kublai owed his teachings of Chinese culture and philosophy to his mother, such as that it is better not to slaughter a cow as it provides milk for the future. Kublai was proclaimed the Great Khan in 1260. His need for a naval force arose from his desire to conquer the Southern Chinese Song dynasty, which possessed a strong navy.
Weatherford’s mainstream-style narrative makes this history text a pleasurable read. He covers a wealth of information about the Chinese, both the Mongol and Song dynasties, history, culture, social aspects, and even their cuisine. Kublai’s battle tactics and his policies, such as sparing the lives of farmers to benefit from their yields, gives added insight into his reign and conquering mindset. Numerous interesting details illuminate how a landlocked nation became a major naval power. Following Kublai’s death, the book provides further details about his successors to give readers a richer knowledge of the Mongol dynasty.
