A panoramic history of the roots of China and Mongoliashistoric rivalry and why it matters now.

A beguiling blend of history and intimate narrative and a delight to read. Colin Thubron, author of Shadow of the SilkRoad

The Great Wall of China stretching from the arid rises ofGansu province to the cold waters of the Bohai Sea remains an enduring symbolof Chinese might. And yet for all its grandeur, the Wall also marks avulnerability: an ever-present reminder of old battlelines and never-endingtension with Chinas northern neighbours.

Travelling by sacred mountains and along forgotten traderoutes, John Man journeys through China and Mongolia, tracing the contours oftheir uneasy shared histories. From the tumult of the Warring States Period tothe present day, Man weaves a thrilling tale of battling warlords, imperialpower plays, Soviet interference and contemporary political manoeuvring.Looking to the future of the region, Conquering the North canvassesthe still fractious interplay of two rival cultures and the continuing strugglefor Mongolian sovereignty as China continues to edge north.

About the Author

John Man is a historian specializing in Mongoliaand the relationship between Mongol and Chinese cultures. He studiedMongolian as a post-graduate, and after a brief career in journalism andpublishing, he turned to writing. John’s books have been published in overtwenty languages around the world and include bestselling biographies ofGenghis Khan, Kublai Khan, and Attila the Hun, as well as histories of theGreat Wall of China and the Mongolian Empire.