Scan barcode
kemuenz's review
5.0
One of the best biographies I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Chang is sweeping in scale and also absolutely meticulous in her rendering of one of the greatest politicians in history.
avril_schroten's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
absolutely incredible
periparaparasakura's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.75
julieabe89's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
This is a fascinating look at a flawed ruler of a nation who tried hard to bring her people into the modern world. She tried hard to be fair and just, despite not being able to rule in her own right. Her revolutions were slow but mostly bloodless with the bloody parts being some of her few errors. I loved learning about her.
sav_pls's review against another edition
DNFd; as soon as we got into part two we started going crazy. The historical accuracy here is,,,, suspect and the tone is very weird. The last whole chapter has just been "Cixi was so cool and #femminist and so much cooler than every man in China because she believed the West was So Cool and loved them and made everything in China Western like it should be."
And regardless of the truthfulness of that statement the tone is so "girls rule boys drool"
And regardless of the truthfulness of that statement the tone is so "girls rule boys drool"
susanlawson's review against another edition
4.0
Jung Chang turns the accepted story of Cixi on it's head by painting a picture of a strong and powerful reformer who, despite her flaws and occasional ruthless behaviour, always had the good of her nation and the Qing dynasty at heart. Overcoming countless challenges in the shape of foreign designs on China and her gender precluding her from taking up many of the trappings of power, she nevertheless, brought China into the modern age, surviving assassination plots and Republican and Japanese conspiracies.
danicapage's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars.
This is the third book I’ve read by the author. I know very little about Chinese history, though I’ve been attempting to learn—which means I can’t speak to the accuracy.
This book’s theme seems to be that the Empress Dowager Cixi had a brilliant vision for reforming China, but because she was a woman she lacked the power and ability to manifest it and that she was unfairly castigated and blamed for failings of the men around her. But it also does talk about her missteps and failings. However, this book is definitely a positive portrayal of the empress.
It seems to be an attempt to correct a record of her that I hadn’t previously heard as a snake, “Dragon Lady”, a murderer, etc.
I listened on audio. So I can’t comment to the rigor of the footnotes, but I thought it was well researched.
I know many thought this book was dry, but I thought this one was very well written.
This is the third book I’ve read by the author. I know very little about Chinese history, though I’ve been attempting to learn—which means I can’t speak to the accuracy.
This book’s theme seems to be that the Empress Dowager Cixi had a brilliant vision for reforming China, but because she was a woman she lacked the power and ability to manifest it and that she was unfairly castigated and blamed for failings of the men around her. But it also does talk about her missteps and failings. However, this book is definitely a positive portrayal of the empress.
It seems to be an attempt to correct a record of her that I hadn’t previously heard as a snake, “Dragon Lady”, a murderer, etc.
I listened on audio. So I can’t comment to the rigor of the footnotes, but I thought it was well researched.
I know many thought this book was dry, but I thought this one was very well written.
kairosdreaming's review against another edition
5.0
This review can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com or Amazon.com as part of the Vine program.