Title: Empress Dowager Cixi
Subtitle: The Concubine Who Launched Modern China
Description: In 1852, at age sixteen, Cixi was chosen as one of Emperor Xianfeng’s numerous concubines. When he died in 1861, their five-year-old son succeeded to the throne. Cixi at once launched a coup against her son’s regents and placed herself as the true source of power—governing through a silk screen that  separated her from her male officials.

Drawing on newly available sources, Jung Chang comprehensively overturns Cixi’s reputation as a conservative despot. Cixi’s extraordinary reign saw the birth of modern China. Under her, the ancient country attained industries, railways, electricity, and a military with up-to-date weaponry. She abolished foot-binding, inaugurated women’s liberation, and embarked on a path to introduce voting rights. Packed with drama, this groundbreaking biography powerfully reforms our view of a crucial period in China’s—and the world’s—history.
Subjects: Politics and government, Empresses, Biography, History, Foreign relations, Diplomatic relations, Qing Dynasty (China), China, history, 19th century, New York Times reviewed, Cixi, empress dowager of china, 1835-1908
Places: China
People: Cixi Empress dowager of China (1835-1908)
Time periods: 19th century, 1861-1912