Empress Dowager Cixi: The Concubine Who Launched Modern China | 
pickI found this narrative history to be a good introduction to this amazing woman.
Cixi arguably laid the groundwork for modern China, she was a moderate reformer who made hard decisions but was not a harsh ruler. She accomplished a lot while working around centuries of tradition and laws that made it difficult for even the most talented women to lead.
3/5, read to learn about this amazing woman, & what the author thinks about Cixi
Thank you for tagging me, @DarkMina ... and for creating this, @Eggs .... Play along, @RamsFan1963 or @ElleSkel ?
1. Ramona & Beezus
Gregory & Bear
Sam & Frodo
2. Always reading several
3. The book tagged is set in late 1800s, early 1900s China
#wondrouswednesday
pickCixi was amazing and powerful and everything an empress!
She was sweet and took no shit.
It‘s been a while, Litsy! Big things have been happening in my life—not the least of which was purchasing my first house. I‘m hoping to get a bit more reading done as we settle in!
pickThis was everything I want from a biography. I didn‘t know if it could be as perfect as Wild Swans, and I probably do prefer Wild Swans still, but this was 10/10 brilliant. Easy to follow but rigorously researched portrait of a fascinating, critically important woman that I‘d somehow never heard of. I desperately want to read more about her now
Most of my #Nonfiction collection (excluding the North-Korea themed. I'll post a new picture for those). I wasn't expecting to find so many. But this is the genre I read the most nowadays. Can't wait to start with these! 😊❤
pickFiled under Badass Women of History. Using a broad range of sources, Jung Chang convincingly challenges the image of Cixi as a conservative standing in the way of reforms. I particularly liked the way she explains how Cixi's bad image was created by her opponents and how it took hold both in China and the West.
Day 5 of #riotgrams #royalty A biography of Empress Dowager Cixi who began as a concubine and ended up being the most powerful woman in China. She abolished gruesome punishments like ‘death by a thousand cuts‘ and put an end to foot-binding. The shoes in the photo are actual copies of bound feet shoes. The soles are 12cm long and 4cm wide.
pickExcelente, de concubina a imperatriz uma historia do tamanho da china.
#septemberlist Most impressed by the story about the dowager empress. Not nearly enough murder mystery for my normal list, but a satisfying month of reads.
Novella Minnow Pea is not the Empress, but she is the most regal in the house as I read about this period in Chinese history. I truly know nothing about China, as I am finding.
pickAn excellent and thoroughly researched feminist biography of Empress Dowager Cixi. The book rightfully restores Cixi's reputation as a reformer and modernizer of China. The author doesn't shy away from Cixi's faults or mistakes, but instead creates a full picture of her rule by rejecting her demonization and giving her long deserved credit for her shrewd political and social actions.
Give me all the books about badass women leaders. Please and thank you. #LitsyAtoZ #LetterE
#marchintoreading I started this biography a few days ago. Cixi went from being a low ranking concubine to ruling all of China. She's been put in an unfavorable light for most of history but instituted many reforms, such as women's rights and the elimination of foot binding. Her critics tried to defame her, but nevertheless #shepersisted.
I wish to highlight these great #historicalheroines of China!❤️#feistyfeb @RealLifeReading
☘️Fa Mulan- Disguised as a man in order to take her father's place in the army, bravely defended ancient war-torn China.
☘️Empress Dowager- Effectively controlled the Chinese government in the late Qing dynasty for 47 years.
☘️Soong Ching-ling, also known as Mdm Sun Yat-sen- One of the leaders of the 1911 revolution that established the Republic of China.
Currently reading: Empress Dowager Cixi, The Concubine Who Launched Modern China
Currently drinking: A Moscow mule
#booksandbooze
I decided to go historical with my #dressesoncovers #dressesonthecover #readjanuary
My book order came today. Few Nordic Noir books and then some non-fiction.
pickWonderful biography of a powerful woman.
