{"product_id":"empress-dowager-cixi-the-concubine-who-launched-modern-china","title":"Empress Dowager Cixi: The Concubine Who Launched Modern China","description":"xiii, 436 pp. 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.","brand":"Anchor Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41372526215238,"sku":"2343172","price":6.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1232\/9510\/files\/2343172.jpg?v=1712932821","url":"https:\/\/ym-demo.myshopify.com\/products\/empress-dowager-cixi-the-concubine-who-launched-modern-china","provider":"Yesterday's Muse","version":"1.0","type":"link"}