Jack Weatherford: Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire | Lex Fridman Podcast #476

Lex FridmanThu, July 31, 2025 9:10pmURL:
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Jack Weatherford is an anthropologist and historian specializing in Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire.
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*Transcript:*
https://lexfridman.com/jack-weatherford-transcript

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*EPISODE LINKS:*
Jack’s Books: https://amzn.to/3ISziZr
Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World: https://amzn.to/4l45LsY
The Secret History of the Mongol Queens: https://amzn.to/4l22uud
Genghis Khan and the Quest for God: https://amzn.to/4fpOQA4
Emperor of the Seas: Kublai Khan and the Making of China: https://amzn.to/40JEll1

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*OUTLINE:*
0:00 – Introduction
0:56 – Origin story of Genghis Khan
42:42 – Early battles & conquests
55:23 – Power
57:45 – Secret History
1:11:10 – Mongolian steppe
1:14:27 – Mounted archery and horse-riding
1:22:48 – Genghis Khan’s army
1:39:00 – Military tactics and strategy
1:51:24 – Wars of conquest
1:55:48 – Dan Carlin
2:05:49 – Religious freedom
2:21:36 – Trade and the Silk Road
2:30:21 – Weapons innovation
2:31:52 – Kublai Khan and conquering China
3:13:43 – Fall of the Mongol Empire
3:40:38 – Genetic legacy
3:50:32 – Lessons from Genghis Khan
4:00:48 – Human nature
4:03:58 – Visiting Mongolia
4:23:27 – Lex: Dan Carlin
4:26:17 – Lex: Gaza