Conqueror is the fifth and final book of the Conqueror series written by Conn Iggulden. Conqueror tells the story of Kublai Khan – portrayed as one of the world’s great leaders alongside Julius Caesar, Alexander the Great, and Napoleon Bonaparte. The story takes place between 1244 and 1260 AD.
I did not know that this book is/was a part of the series. I went for the book shelf and that is when I realized it is the 5th book. Nevertheless it was captivating. The book focuses on Kublai Khan. How the scene is set for him to take the title of “The Great Khan”.
Kublai Khan is a strong headed person who relies on mathematics, knowledge, empathetic emotions. He is revered for his intelligence. As a child he was even cheered on by the Genghis Khan for his analytics and interpretations.
I have interpreted this book through the Business Perception.
My favorite part in that is Kublai refers to Sun Zu’s Art of War, and his Orlok Uriyangkhadai mentions that Suz Zu the Chinese Military leader did not have guns and cannon at the time of writing the book.
This is also a typical corporate scenario where vision and coordination has a simple slip up in execution. Just as Kublai was able to put through his vision to war maneuvers through his general Urang Khadai, any organization leaders have to face resistance to execution of ideas before mastering in to appropriate execution.
The Thirst for Leadership, Gayuk Khan was very ambitious. Gayauk Khan became the supreme leader before Kublai. His leadership was marred with corruptions, indulgence and negligence just as later in the story is displayed by Kubali Khan’s younger brother Arik Boke. Comparison here is with their brother Kublai’s empathic approach. As the story progresses we read about the dedication and loyalty of all the men in his command. Despite hardship the men fought with him. They had also no meals, no silver as pay, brutal waves after waves of hard aggressive attacks yet the men never left sides; even when they had to fight against their own men, fellow Mongols, in a civil war against Arik Boke.
Kublai can be compared with Helgu too. Helgu is his sibling who went to conquer the West. Kublai went to the East under the command of their newly elected Khan, Mongkhe (After Gayuk’s Death).
Here we read that while Kublai ordered against purging prisoners of war and looting cities and tribes during the conquest. Helgu was brutal in purging and looting. As we know Kublai led prosperous reign under his Khanate (Regions ruled after his conquest). There were no assassins against him, there were easy surrenders, cities were laid intact. There were instances where the city leaders quietly granted them place to stay, eat and rejuvenate at peace. It is read that Kubalai had built Cities in his absence , the places that surrendered under his conquests were paying their due taxes and they supplied the army with food and fodder. This was a contrast to earning out of loot. Leaders have to be stern, ruthless, calculative, must make harsh decisions against the jollies of his men and women. But empathy is what counts, what inspires.
I have highlighted the emotions of the leader in this book, Urang Khadai demonstrates experience in the battle field, Kublai Khan portrays the changes when one pursuit for a goal. The highlights of Discipline, Professionalism in chaos, Planning and Preparations. The joyous pride and emotions the subordinates have when giving their passion to their leader.
In DBrand Solution Pvt Ltd, We have a book reading club, this book has been read and is being interpreted here. We hope you enjoyed a brief on this book;