Book Review: Empress Dowager Cixi
It also became clear to Cixi that Prince Chun had intended the whole country to do as Tianjin did.Empress Dowager Cixi (1835-1908) is the most important woman in Chinese history. She ruled China for decades and brought a medieval empire into the modern age. At the age of sixteen, in a nationwide selection for royal consorts, Cixi was chosen as one of the Emperor's numerous concubines. When he died in 1861, their five year old son succeeded to the throne. Cixi at once launched a palace coup against the regents appointed by her husband and made herself the real ruler of China - behind the throne, literally, with a silk screen separating her from her officials who were all male. Under her rule the ancient country attained virtually all the attributes of a modern state. She reigned during extraordinary times and had to deal with major national crises. This book is a ground breaking biography of Empress Dowager Cixi.
Based on newly available historical documents, the author has presented a gripping and vivid portrait of the life and the times. Written in a compelling narrative style, this biography is fast paced, often dramatic and reads like fiction, and depicts the birth of modern China and a portrait of a woman: as the concubine to a monarch and as a unique stateswoman. The book not only presents glimpses of state affairs, but also takes the reader into the depths of the world in which the royals had lived. This is an absolute read if you are interested in the life of Empress Dowager Cixi or her times.
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Absolutely readable. I had received the review copy from Random House India. Thank you Random House India for giving me this opportunity. You can buy this book at Flipkart in case you live in India.
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