Empress Dowager Cixi

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Empress Dowager Cixi (1835–1908) is a pivotal figure in Chinese history, ruling for decades and guiding a medieval empire into modernity. Chosen as a concubine at sixteen, she became the real power behind the throne after her husband's death in 1861, orchestrating a palace coup to ensure her five-year-old son ascended to the throne. This groundbreaking biography by Jung Chang reveals Cixi's struggle against immense challenges to transform China. Under her leadership, the nation adopted modern features such as industries, railways, electricity, and a contemporary military. Cixi abolished barbaric punishments and foot-binding, championing women's rights and initiating the move towards parliamentary elections. Chang challenges the traditional portrayal of Cixi as a conservative tyrant, depicting her reign during tumultuous times marked by national crises, including the Taiping and Boxer rebellions and conflicts with foreign powers. The biography not only details her political maneuvers but also offers a glimpse into her life in the opulent Summer Palace and the Forbidden City, where she navigated complex personal relationships. Drawing on newly accessible historical documents, this work promises to reshape our understanding of a transformative era in China and the world, blending drama with an intimate portrayal of a woman who wielded immense power.