How could a book about an adventure like this turn out to be so boring?

If this is partly fabricated, why is it still so good?

Was it naive to hope for peace with the Khan?

How is it possible that 750 years don't seem to leave a trace?

Are we looking at a career-obsessed explorer or at a blueprint for Indiana Jones?

Is this too much racism even for an imperialist?

Why is this one still so good today, even though a lot of it is untrue?