Quotes from Conn Iggulden

What good is in dexterity of playing with logic when your weak soul retreats from difficulties?

The wolf brothers can tear each others into pieces, no matter the blood kinship

History was more than just stories, he reminded himself as the men walked forward with their burdens. It taught lessons as well.

They had learned that Sorhatani expected the same sort of instant obedience as her husband. She had grown up around men of power and had married into the great khan's family at a very young age. She knew that men prefer to follow, that it takes an effort of will to lead. She had that will.

The cold was an enemy, yet it kept the tribes strong. The old did not suffer for long in such bitter winters. The weakling children perished quickly. His son would not be one of those.

There is no greater ordeal for a gifted men than to raise a son

Most cannot lead—the idea terrifies them. Yet for those like you and me, there is no greater joy than knowing there is no help coming. The decision is ours alone.

We would all be a tyrant if we could.

We're wolves, boy, and a wolf doesn't ask for the goat it kills.

an arrow doesn't care who it kills.

I will need good friends around me if I am to survive my first year of politics. My father described it as walking barefoot in a nest of vipers.

To be close to your greatest desire could be an exquisite pain

Unaware of them all, Temujin began to chant words he had not heard since old Chagatai had whispered them on a frozen night long before. The shaman's chant spoke of loss and revenge, of winter, ice, and blood. He did not have to struggle to recall the words; they were ready on his tongue as if he had always known them.

We will survive this, my sons. We will survive until you are men, and when Eeluk is old, he will wonder if it is you coming for him every time he hears hooves in the darkness.

Sometimes, power could change hands as quickly as a knife thrust.

Life is never a simple problem made of questions and one answer. There are always plenty answers.

If word got out that anyone was moving soldiers, they could expect a tuman to turn up on the horizon. Genghis was not a man to ignore a naked challenge to his authority. The Mongol army moved and millions would die.

They were few, but they were hardened in fire. They had been cast out and many would hunger as he did: for a tribe, and for a chance to strike back at a world that had abandoned them. "It is begun here," Temujin whispered. "I have had enough of hiding. Let them hide from me.

A wolf doesn't think about refined thing. He only cares that his pack is strong and that no other wolf dares to cross his way

You will revenge my father's death and we will be one tribe across the face of the plains, one people. As it should always have been. Let the Tartars fear us then. Let the Chin fear us.

We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm. —GEORGE ORWELL

Now there's nothing wrong with Booker prize novels - we all have wobbling tables or draughts coming in under the door

Rome wasn't built on caution and compromise.

It's too late for remorse, but the old ones always regret for something