Malazan Empire: Please help you GotM experts - Malazan Empire

I tried and tried to read GotM but for some reason I just can't get through it. HOWEVER, I'm now about a third into Deadhouse Gates and loving it. I know that you can read DH without having read GotM, but MoI requires GotM. Could one of you kind forumites welcome me to the board with a quick summary of all the info that I'll need to read MoI without getting totally lost??? I'll repay the favour somehow - I live in UK so can get access to his books easy etc...

Please help.