{"product_id":"empress-dowager-cixi-the-concubine-who-launched-modern-china","title":"Empress Dowager Cixi: The Concubine Who Launched Modern China, Jung Chang","description":"\u003cp\u003eA New York Times Notable Book\u003cbr\u003eAn NPR Best Book of the Year\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn 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.\u003cbr\u003e        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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"gentle books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43373720436873,"sku":"9780307456700","price":50.0,"currency_code":"HKD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0598\/9289\/1785\/files\/9780307456700.jpg?v=1739962946","url":"https:\/\/thisisgentle.com\/products\/empress-dowager-cixi-the-concubine-who-launched-modern-china","provider":"gentle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}