The History of Genghis Khan by Jacob Abbott is a part of the Makers of History series intended for young readers which contains biographies of important historical figures. This simply narrated history of Genghis Khan traces the life of the great conqueror, from being the son of a minor chieftain in Mongolia to becoming the ruler of arguably the largest empire in history. Genghis Khan (c. 1162 -1227), born Temüjin, was the founder and first Great Khan (Emperor) of the Mongol Empire, which became the largest contiguous empire in history after his death. He came to power by uniting many of the nomadic tribes of Northeast Asia, and, after being proclaimed the universal ruler of the Mongols, or Genghis Khan, he launched the Mongol invasions, which ultimately conquered most of Eurasia, reaching as far west as Poland and as far south as Egypt.