Mongolia is not a country one often thinks about when considering the influences of world power. But several hundred years ago, it was center of the largest global land empire that has ever existed. Genghis Khan—also known by his given name of Temujin— is often a misunderstood or even mythological character in the modern psyche. And the virtues of his great empire often get drowned out by a host of wild tall tales.

But professor and author Jack Weatherford has spent his professional life bringing the Mongolian culture and the legacy of Genghis Khan into modern form through his numerous books; the most famous of which is “Genghis Khan and The Making of the Modern World.” He’s also written about the nature of religious freedom and female leadership within the Monghol Empire.

While we previously did a live 99pages interview with Dr. Weatherford two years ago, I wanted to revisit his work as he was recently awarded the Order of Genghis Khan by the President of Mongolia—similar to the United States’ Presidential Medal of Freedom…but only 15 others have been awarded the medal, mostly ex-presidents. Professor Weatherford is the only foreigner to ever win the award! It’s a huge deal.

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#19. Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World with Jack Weatherford