Last Friday my husband and I were invited to a wine tasting at AT&T Park hosted by his ticket agent. Before the game. She and he have emailed back and forth over the years but this is the first time they’ve actually met (me too). She said he looks nothing like she expected someone named ‘Oscar‘ to look and called him a stud.
the studly Khan eating amazing hot caramel corn at the ballpark.
He is rather studly if I do say so myself.
Anyway, he and I participated in a genome study, and while I’m descended from African/Jews and Vikings - Go Ragnar! - My husband is descended from Genghis Khan. And some Jews.
Image of Genghis Khan. See the resemblance?
According to The Guardian (U.K. Edition) We Owe It All to Superstud Genghis Khan.
“One in every 200 men alive today is a relative of Genghis Khan. An international team of geneticists has made the astonishing discovery that more than 16 million men in central Asia have the same male Y chromosome as the great Mongol leader.
“It is a striking finding: a huge chunk of modern humanity can trace its origins to Khan’s vigorous policy of claiming the most beautiful women captured during his merciless conquest.”
This is why my daughters have such high cheekbones and almond-shaped eyes.
From everything I’ve read, the Mongols were an unusually robust people, known for their physical and sexual prowess and good teeth. In our family we have good teeth. Won’t go into detail regarding the prowess…
Anyway, author Conn Iggulden has me obsessing about the Mongol conquest of Asia, the Middle East and large swathes of Eastern Europe. I’m even dreaming about Genghis, his brothers, his sons and his grandsons. No… it’s not what you think. Get your mind out of the gutter, Tom. I’m dreaming about their power and might, their unrivaled ambition and incredible gift for military strategy. And their reputation for ruthlessness.
If you are dreaming about fictional characters, you know for damn sure it’s good fiction!
I’m urging you- read these books in order:
Wolf of the Plains.
Lords of the Bow.
Bones of the Hills.
Empire of Silver.
Conqueror.
They are going on my list of Books You Should Read in Addition to Mine.
My favorite quote: “It is not sufficient that I succeed- all others must fail.” Genghis Khan. Gives me chills.
Speaking of books… I will be toying with the prices of all my self-pubbed books over the next few months so pay attention.
Updates:
Jake is doing better. He appears to be back to normal but I’m still a worry-wort. I’m terrified he’ll be one of the GSDs who gets that awful back disorder. Because you know me, I borrow trouble.
Go Ragnar! LOL
I’m glad Jake is starting to feel better. I’m a worry-wart too.
I’ve started some of your recommendations - The Iron King and Spirituality in America.
Ha! Does Oscar know you are dreaming of the hard pounding thrusting… oh never mind
glad Jakes on the mend, you two be careful out there xxx
(Chemo starts on 11/7)
I read stories about Genghis when I was a kid. I wanted to be a wild nomad who lived on the back of my horse and used a short bow to vanquish my enemies. He was a complex guy and probably did more to change the world than any other individual in history. And now I learn his legacy lives on. So how is Oscar with a bow?
“It is not sufficient that I succeed– all others must fail.” Genghis Khan.
That is so not PC, everyone goes home with a prize, win/win thinking! lol
I love it.
Oh Kat, nobody could ever accuse Genghis Khan of being PC! His sons and grandsons were a little more open to new ideas. But I kind of appreciate his very black and white attitude. Life was simple for him. He didn’t suffer from angst.
Uh… hmmm, Jaye - he’s better with a bow than I am but I’m better with a gun. I simply can’t pull that dang bow back far enough. It’s actually hard. You wanted to be a Mongol warrior, I wanted to be a Sioux warrior! Both horse people I guess.
Okay Tom, chemo will go well. I swear. Crackers and apricot nectar - you’ll need those B vitamins. And you are just too funny! I knew you’d run with this!
You will love these books, Amber. Hope you can find them here in the states. The first book has a different title in our stores… at least I think so.
P. C. ??? What is that? What ever it is, I don’t want to catch it. It has to be contagious and lead to the down fall of humanity.
Learned more about Genghis Khan here than I did in 19 years of schooling. Oh dear. That is why I like this blog so much. Never know what I will encounter or learn.
Roberta - LOL! I’m not a fan of extreme PC. Genghis Khan was a most compelling person.
I must not be related to Khan. My teeth aren’t that great.
Sandra - LOL!