James Chambers (1) (1941–2012)
Author of The Devil's Horsemen: The Mongol Invasion of Europe
For other authors named James Chambers, see the disambiguation page.
About the Author
James Chambers is a writer, lecturer and broadcaster.
Image credit: Publisher
Works by James Chambers
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Birthdate
- 1941
- Date of death
- 2012
- Gender
- male
- Cause of death
- Leukemia
- Places of residence
- Notting Hill, London, England, UK
- Education
- Harrow School, London, England, UK
Oxford University (Christ Church College) - Relationships
- Ross, Josephine (spouse)
- Organizations
- Epee Club
Amateur Fencing Association - Short biography
- James Chambers was born in Northern Ireland and educated at Harrow and Christ Church, Oxford. After reading for the Bar he researched and wrote documentary film scripts and worked in film production. He has also worked extensively in TV. A former international fencer, he still commentates on Olympic Games and World Championships for television. He has a life-long interest in military history. He lives in Notting Hill, and is married to the writer Josephine Ross. [adapted from Charlotte & Leopold and The Devil's Horsemen]
Members
Reviews
Genghis Khan by James Chambers
I love military history, and this book is a great introduction to Genghis Khan. It starts with the history of his clan before delving into the different struggles that he encountered in life which lead to his rise as the military genius that he became. It doesn't have much to say about his tactics, mostly overview of military objectives and conquests.
A quick and engaging read, it covers the basic points of Charlotte's life and Leopold's involvement without much depth. A good starting point for someone expanding their knowledge of the Regency period.
This is a VERY good book with some minor shortcomings. The most glaring is the mention of many Mongol characters without an introduction as to who they were (and there is not a listing of major characters in the Appendix). But that is a minor quibble.
Chambers provides a fascinating summary of the ways of both the Mongol empire and way of war. He does this by interspersing with chapters about the events that led up to the invasion of Europe and ends with the crushing of the Mongols by the Mamluks at the battle of Ain Jalut. As Chambers notes, the Mongols didn’t leave a legacy behind (like Rome or Greece) and therefore their direct (or should I say, credited) imprint on history is not as obvious as something like the Roman legal system. However, this was one incredible empire. The sheer amount of land mass that they conquered is amazing and makes the Roman Empire look comparatively small.
Their civilizational commitment to preparing themselves for military conquest is rivaled by no one (except maybe Sparta). They were extremely brutal, and their episodes of mass slaughter and rape of nuns (for example) create quite the mental image. They are certainly not the only civilization to practice barbarity, but the scale on which they did is probably unmatched.
This book was written in 1979. While Chambers does not say this directly, I wonder if the events of the Iranian Revolution were on his mind as he neared completion of his work. In two places he mentions just how close Islam came to its extermination. Of course, the Mongols almost brought about the end of Christianity as well. However, several Mongol Khans were sympathetic to Christianity. Regarding the Mongol conquest of Syria, and the subsequent prostrating of local Muslims to the Christian cross (the Christians had aided in the conquest), Chambers writes: “It was a poignant image of a Christian world that so nearly might have been.” Had St. Louis and other Christian leaders made some different judgments what happened in Syria might have happened everywhere else in the Muslim world.
Instead they were beaten back and the legacies they left were nothing in comparison to Rome or Greece. Rather, many of their territories suffered for centuries and were left ripe for even worse atrocities to come. Namely Communism.… (more)
Chambers provides a fascinating summary of the ways of both the Mongol empire and way of war. He does this by interspersing with chapters about the events that led up to the invasion of Europe and ends with the crushing of the Mongols by the Mamluks at the battle of Ain Jalut. As Chambers notes, the Mongols didn’t leave a legacy behind (like Rome or Greece) and therefore their direct (or should I say, credited) imprint on history is not as obvious as something like the Roman legal system. However, this was one incredible empire. The sheer amount of land mass that they conquered is amazing and makes the Roman Empire look comparatively small.
Their civilizational commitment to preparing themselves for military conquest is rivaled by no one (except maybe Sparta). They were extremely brutal, and their episodes of mass slaughter and rape of nuns (for example) create quite the mental image. They are certainly not the only civilization to practice barbarity, but the scale on which they did is probably unmatched.
This book was written in 1979. While Chambers does not say this directly, I wonder if the events of the Iranian Revolution were on his mind as he neared completion of his work. In two places he mentions just how close Islam came to its extermination. Of course, the Mongols almost brought about the end of Christianity as well. However, several Mongol Khans were sympathetic to Christianity. Regarding the Mongol conquest of Syria, and the subsequent prostrating of local Muslims to the Christian cross (the Christians had aided in the conquest), Chambers writes: “It was a poignant image of a Christian world that so nearly might have been.” Had St. Louis and other Christian leaders made some different judgments what happened in Syria might have happened everywhere else in the Muslim world.
Instead they were beaten back and the legacies they left were nothing in comparison to Rome or Greece. Rather, many of their territories suffered for centuries and were left ripe for even worse atrocities to come. Namely Communism.… (more)
1 
sergerca | 5 other reviews | Jul 31, 2011 |
sergerca | 5 other reviews | Jul 31, 2011 | Chambers’ book really brings the Mongol empire to life, giving them their proper place in world history, as the pre-eminent empire and military force of their time...[return]http://icantstopreading.wordpress.com/2008/05/30/the-devils-horsemen-by-james-cambers/
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