praise for
young mongols

"As a young leader in Hong Kong, reading about peers similarly committed to democratic change in Mongolia inspires me. We have the power, the will, and the dedication to improve our nations ourselves. From Hong Kong to Ulaanbaatar, our generation is determined to build a better future. I share both the frustrations of these Young Mongols and the same resolute hope."

- Joshua Wong
Hong Kong Democracy Activist and Secretary General, Demosistō Party

"Foreigners have long struggled to understand Mongolian history, especially the tectonic shift caused by our democratic revolution of the 1990s, and its consequences for our society. In Young Mongols, Aubrey Menard shares this recent history with the world through the stories of our enthusiastic and energetic young leaders. As someone who has contributed to Mongolia's democratic movement since its inception, it brings me great pride to read about the democratic attitudes and activism of this new generation of Mongols."

- Amarjargal Rinchinnyam
Former Prime Minister of Mongolia

“Mongolia is the modern world's Invisible Democracy. Many people have no idea that Mongolia is a country; even fewer realize that Mongolia is a vibrant democracy.  Aubrey Menard's Young Mongols offers an incredible and compelling portrait of the triumphs and failures of modern Mongolia through the lived experiences of the new generation of the twenty-first century.  She tells the powerful story of this democracy through the lives of what seem, at first, to be simply ordinary people, but who suffer an injustice and then move heaven and earth to correct it, even when it costs them their lives.  Her work shows us that democracy is something that can only be created and sustained by the people themselves. Democracy belongs to the public, not to the government, political parties, international organizations, or corporations which control and often undermine it.  Young Mongols is not so important for what it teaches us about Mongolia as it for what it teaches us about democracy.  Mongolia is a mirror in which we see the failures of the world, but it is also a window through which we can see a new way forward.  We can learn much from the young activists in Mongolia, and we have never been more in need of their examples than in this new century when democracy faces horrific threats around the globe.  As difficult as Mongolia's problems are, they can still inspire us to create a better future.”

- Jack Weatherford
New York Times Bestselling Author of Genghis Khan and the Making of the World and The Secret History of the Mongol Queens

“This book is an engaging and first-hand account of the problems the younger generation of Mongols has faced in seeking to move toward a more democratic society. Well-written and based, in part, on extensive interviews and observation of developments in the country, it provides evidence of the stumbling blocks to proper policies concerning pollution and natural resources, as well as to impediments to women, journalists, and the gay and transgender communities. The work is invaluable for policy makers involved in the future of Mongolia.”

- Morris Rossabi
Author of Modern Mongolia: From Khans to Commissars to Capitalists

"Young Mongols cuts straight to the heart of Mongolia's most pressing challenges. These problems are solvable, but to overcome them, we must build a government that represents and serves all the Mongolian people. These young activists are our nation's hope for a bright future; they represent the best of us."

- Oyungerel Tsedevdamba
Former Member of Mongolian Parliament and Author of The Green-Eyed Lama

“Mongolia has long confounded political observers with its surprising democratic progress in the face of considerable adversity.  This innovative, probing, and lively account of the notable role of youth activism in key areas of political governance helps unravel important parts of the puzzle. Newcomers to Mongolia as well as seasoned experts will find much to enjoy and learn in these pages.”

- Thomas Carothers
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and Author of Aiding Democracy Abroad

“This book takes us beyond the usual exoticizing Western stereotypes of Mongolian society and into the changing lives of younger (and older) Mongolians. Combining local knowledge with keen analysis and accessible writing, Menard provides a surprisingly humanized political history of the forces changing and challenging contemporary Mongolia. The book deserves a broad audience.”

- Nancy Bermeo
Author of Ordinary People in Extraordinary Times and The Revolution Within the Revolution