Books About Mongolia
Preparing for a holiday can take many forms, but delving into literature offers an opportunity to explore a country’s rich tapestry of history, culture, and aspirations before you even set foot there. Through reading, you gain valuable insights into the distinct components that have shaped the country you’re eager to explore, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of its essence.
That’s why, back in 2020, I created the EL Reading List: Books About Mongolia—a curated selection inviting you to journey through Mongolia’s past, present, and future, and gain insight into the many threads that shape the country you’re eager to experience.
I update the list annually to keep it fresh, and I warmly welcome your recommendations for books that could further deepen readers’ understanding and appreciation of Mongolia.
Table of Contents
My Recommendation
I recommend Young Mongols, Forging Democracy In The Wild, Wild East, by Aubrey Menard. This powerful, inclusive book introduces readers to modern Mongolia through the stories of young leaders fighting to make their country a better, more democratic place – https://www.youngmongols.com/
"It's intersectional perspective explores the complexity of Mongolia today: the urban planning and pollution issues that plague the capital city of Ulaanbaatar; the struggles of women, the LGBTQIA+ population, people with disabilities, and ethnic minorities to claim their equitable places in society; the challenge of providing education in the world's least densely-population country to prepare the workforce of tomorrow; and how to fairly divide the spoils of the country's vast mineral resource wealth."
Books About Mongolia: History
Jack Weatherford: Genghis Khan And The Making Of The Modern World
Uncover the fascinating history of Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire, including insights into why Mongolians refer to him as Chinggis, not Genghis. Prepare to have your preconceptions challenged as you gain a fresh perspective on the events that unfolded from the 12th century onwards. Jack Weatherford’s acclaimed works, such as “Genghis Khan and the Quest for God” and “Mongol Queens,” offer insightful explorations that illuminate this pivotal era.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40718726-genghis-khan-and-the-making-of-the-modern-world
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6648001-the-secret-history-of-the-mongol-queens
' Compared to the difficulty of daily life for the herders, living permanently in those areas, ours were only the smallest of irritations.’
John Man: Genghis Khan: Life, Death and Resurrection
For those eager to delve into the life and enduring legacy of Chinggis Khan, John Man’s books, “Genghis Khan” and “The Mongol Empire,” offer insightful introductions. These works provide comprehensive explorations of Chinggis Khan’s life and the vast impact of the Mongol Empire. If you find yourself captivated by Man’s writing style, you’ll also appreciate his biography of Kublai Khan, which adds further depth and context to the remarkable saga of the Mongol Empire.
For a deeper understanding of the Gobi Desert’s fascinating terrain and cultural significance, I also recommend John Man’s ‘Tracking the Gobi.’ His vivid narrative style brings this captivating landscape to life, immersing readers into its history and complexities.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/93427.Genghis_Khan
Books About Mongolia: Expeditions to Mongolia
Mongolia has captured the imagination of explorers and adventurers for centuries. But, in an era before air travel, trains, Wi-Fi, and before when Mongolia became essentially inaccessible to foreigners due to the communist government’s restrictions from 1921, the country held an aura of remoteness and mystery. Indeed, the phrase “Outer Mongolia” became synonymous with the farthest reaches of the earth. Despite these challenges, intrepid explorers embarked on daring expeditions, defying the odds and venturing into the unknown.
Books About Mongolia: Travel
Rupert Isaacson: The Horse Boy: A Father’s Quest to Heal His Son
Experience the remarkable true story of an expedition to northern Mongolia, where the author embarks on a deeply personal journey with his autistic son to meet the shamans. This extraordinary adventure not only reveals the captivating landscapes of Mongolia but also explores the profound connections between nature, spirituality, and human resilience. Join them on a transformative odyssey that transcends boundaries and illuminates the power of love, understanding, and acceptance.
Helen Thayer: Walking The Gobi
At the age of 63, Helen Thayer fulfilled her lifelong dream of crossing Mongolia’s Gobi Desert. Accompanied by her 74-year-old husband Bill and two camels, Tom and Jerry, Thayer walked 1600 miles. This is the ultimate vicarious adventure!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1194910.Walking_the_Gobi
Lara Prior-Palmer: Rough Magic
Describes how Lara Prior Palmer became the youngest and first-female to win the epic Mongol Derby which is advertised as being the world’s longest and toughest horse race.
https://www.eternal-landscapes.co.uk/mongolia-must-reads-rough-magic-by-lara-prior-palmer/
Louisa Waugh: Hearing Birds Fly
One of my favourite books, this travelogue describes the year the author spent living in Tsengel, a Kazakh village in western Mongolia. The descriptions of the stark landscapes and local stories make this an honest account of time spent in Mongolia’s westernmost town.
Learn more about this book in our Must Reads post: https://www.eternal-landscapes.co.uk/mongolia-must-reads-hearing-birds-fly-by-louisa-waugh/
Tim Cope: On the Trails Of Genghis Khan: An Epic Journey Through the Land of the Nomads
Inspired by a deep curiosity about the nomadic way of life, Australian adventurer Tim Cope embarked on an extraordinary journey: a 6,000-mile odyssey on horseback across the vast Eurasian steppe. His epic expedition took him from Mongolia, through Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine, all the way to Hungary, retracing the historic trail of Genghis Khan.
Learn more about why we enjoyed this book in our Must Reads post: https://www.eternal-landscapes.co.uk/mongolia-must-reads-on-the-trail-of-genghis-khan-tim-cope/
Early in his journey, adversity struck when Cope's horses were stolen one fateful night. However, fate intervened, and the following day, he spotted a herd of horses being swiftly guided by a lone horseman. To his amazement, among the pack were his two stolen horses. Approaching the horseman, Cope was greeted with a grin and a surprising revelation: “These two horses came to me this morning,” the horseman declared. “You must have tied them badly.” In a remarkable display of generosity and understanding, the horseman returned Cope’s horses without asking for compensation. Instead, he imparted a valuable lesson rooted in the unwritten code of the steppe: “A man on the steppe with no friends is as narrow as a finger,” the horseman explained. “A man with friends is as wide as the steppe.”
Stephen J Bodio: Eagle Dreams: Searching for Legends in Wild Mongolia
For those contemplating a journey to western Mongolia, this book offers a compelling insight into the lives of the Kazakh eagle hunters. Through immersive storytelling, the author recounts his experience of living among these skilled hunters and their majestic birds, providing a vivid portrayal of their traditions and way of life. Whether you’re planning a visit to the region or simply seeking to understand its cultural richness, this book serves as an invaluable guide, offering a glimpse into the captivating world of the Kazakh eagle hunters.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/141845.Eagle_Dreams
"Each time I return I see constant changes alongside the things that never change. I love its paradoxes, its space and hospitality, its freedom and ancient customs. Its is a place of great roadless areas, all known and inhabited since prehistory. It is wild enough for great horned sheep; wolves, snow leopards and the last undomesticated camels; with the lowest human population density on the earth. It is the home of Buddhist hunters and Muslims who toast their guests with vodka. I can't get enough of it, and probably never will."
Books About Mongolia: Older Travel Publications
These books date from Mongolia’s early democratic period or from the final years of its time as a Soviet satellite state. They offer a clear impression of everyday life during these transitional decades.
- Stanley Stewart: In the Empire of Genghis Khan; A Journey Among Nomads
- Nick Middleton: The Last Disco in Outer Mongolia
- Jasper Becker: The Lost Country: Mongolia Revealed
- Tim Severin: In Search Of Genghis Khan
Books About Mongolia: Older Travel Publications
These books date from Mongolia’s early democratic period or from the final years of its time as a Soviet satellite state. They offer a clear impression of everyday life during these transitional decades.
- Stanley Stewart: In the Empire of Genghis Khan; A Journey Among Nomads
- Nick Middleton: The Last Disco in Outer Mongolia
- Jasper Becker: The Lost Country: Mongolia Revealed
- Tim Severin: In Search Of Genghis Khan
Books About Mongolia: Fiction Set in Mongolia
Conn Iggulden: The Conqueror Series
The Conqueror Series is a historical fiction series that chronicles Mongolian life and the rise of the Mongol Empire under Genghis, Ogodei, and Kubilai Khan. These books offer a blend of historical accuracy and fictional storytelling, providing readers with a rich and immersive experience of Mongolian history and the rise of one of the greatest empires in human history.
Jiang Rong: Wolf Totem
Embark on a journey to the untamed expanses of Inner Mongolia amidst the tumult of China’s Cultural Revolution. Winner of the Asian Man Booker Prize, this tale blends elements of fiction and biography to transport readers to a pivotal time in history.
Quan Barry: When I’m Gone, Look for Me in the East
In this captivating tale, estranged twin brothers, Chuluun and Mun, embark on a mission to find the reincarnation of a great lama, a spiritual teacher. Tasked with navigating the vast Mongolian landscape, the brothers’ journey tests their bond as they grapple with questions of faith, love, and brotherhood.
Oyungerel Tsedevdamba & Jeffrey Lester Falt: The Green Eyed Lama
Inspired by true events, wenter the world of 1938 Mongolia, where the winds of change blow with chilling force. In “The Green-Eyed Lama,” readers are transported to a nation in turmoil, where the newly installed communist regime unleashes a brutal purge that leaves devastation in its wake. Against this backdrop of political upheaval, we follow the story of Sendmaa, a young nomadic herdswoman, and Baasan, a Buddhist lama.
Books About Mongolia: Biography
Uuganaa Ramsay: Mongol
Uuganaa’s journey spans continents and cultures, from the steppes of Mongolia to the streets of Britain. In her poignant memoir, she offers a deeply personal account of her experiences as a Mongol woman living in a foreign land and grappling with the challenges of motherhood. Raised in a nomadic herding family in Mongolia, Uuganaa’s upbringing was steeped in tradition and resilience. But when her newborn son Billy is diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome, her world is forever changed. Through skillful storytelling, Uuganaa intricately weaves together the narrative of her own childhood in Mongolia with the heartbreaking yet transformative journey of Billy’s short life. In this powerful memoir, Uuganaa delves into the complexities of identity, belonging, and the universal quest for acceptance and understanding.
Books About Mongolia: Ornithology
Mongolia’s diverse habitats support an exceptional range of bird species, and these ornithology books offer a helpful introduction. They provide insight into identification, behaviour, and the landscapes that shape Mongolia’s avian life.
- Norman Arlott: Birds of Europe, Russia, China, and Japan
- John MacKinnon: A Field Guide to the Birds of China: Ornithology
Mark Brazil: Birds of East Asia
Books About Mongolia: Children’s Books
James Aldridge: The Marvellous Mongolian
This is a children’s book but with delightful details about Mongolian culture and the Przewalskii horses. The story is written in the form of letters between Kitty, who lives on a Wildlfe Reserve in Wales, and Baryut, who lives with his family in the mountains of Mongolia. As the novel progresses, so does their friendship and their understanding of one another’s culture.
For more children’s books based in or around Mongolia, see this great link.
Continue Exploring Mongolia
If you enjoyed our recommended books on Mongolia and would like to explore further, take a look at our curated selections of films and podcasts that offer additional perspectives on Mongolian culture. You can find them here: Films About Mongolia and Podcasts on Mongolia. Alternatively, look at our Mongolia Country Profile page for ideas on where to explore.
Jess @ Eternal Landscapes
