Empress Dowager Cixi

The Concubine Who Launched Modern China

By: Jung Chang

Narrated by: Jolene Kim

Empress Dowager Cixi (1835–1908) is the most important woman in Chinese history. She ruled China for decades and brought a medieval empire into the modern age.

At the age of 16, in a nationwide selection for royal consorts, Cixi was chosen as one of the emperor's numerous concubines. When he died in 1861, their five-year-old son succeeded to the throne. Cixi at once launched a palace coup against the regents appointed by her husband and made herself the real ruler of China - behind the throne, literally, with a silk screen separating her from her officials who were all male.

In this groundbreaking biography, Jung Chang vividly describes how Cixi fought against monumental obstacles to change China. Under her the ancient country attained virtually all the attributes of a modern state: industries, railways, electricity, the telegraph and an army and navy with up-to-date weaponry. It was she who abolished gruesome punishments like "death by a thousand cuts" and put an end to foot-binding. She inaugurated women's liberation and embarked on the path to introduce parliamentary elections to China. Chang comprehensively overturns the conventional view of Cixi as a diehard conservative and cruel despot.

Cixi reigned during extraordinary times and had to deal with a host of major national crises: the Taiping and Boxer rebellions, wars with France and Japan - and an invasion by eight allied powers including Britain, Germany, Russia and the United States. Jung Chang not only records the Empress Dowager's conduct of domestic and foreign affairs, but also takes the listener into the depths of her splendid Summer Palace and the harem of Beijing's Forbidden City, where she lived surrounded by eunuchs - one of whom she fell in love, with tragic consequences. The world Chang describes here, in fascinating detail, seems almost unbelievable in its extraordinary mixture of the very old and the very new.

Based on newly available, mostly Chinese, historical documents such as court records, official and private correspondence, diaries and eyewitness accounts, this biography will revolutionize historical thinking about a crucial period in China's - and the world's - history. Packed with drama, fast paced and gripping, it is both a panoramic depiction of the birth of modern China and an intimate portrait of a woman: as the concubine to a monarch, as the absolute ruler of a third of the world's population, and as a unique stateswoman.

©2013 Jung Chang (P)2013 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“In [Chang’s] absorbing new book….her extensive use of new Chinese sources makes a strong case for reappraisal. Since none have made use of a full range of sources in both languages, there has been no truly authoritative account of Cixi’s rule. Her story is both important and evocative….What makes reading this new biography so provocative are the similarities between the challenges faced by the Qing court a century ago and those confronting the Chinese Communist Party today….there is much to learn here from the experiences of Empress Dowager Cixi.” (Orville Schell, The New York Times)

“Jung Chang’s book dives into a genuinely fascinating figure: a fierce imperial consort who rules behind the thrones of two successive Chinese emperors and helped ease china into the twentieth century….a fantastic Machiavellian tale by the author of the definitive Mao biography.” (New York Magazine)

“The author of “Wild Swans” sets out to rehabilitate the reputation of a woman who, she argues, helped modernize China….While Chang acknowledges Cixi’s missteps—such as allowing the Boxers to fight against a Western invasion, which led to widespread slaughter—she sees her as a woman whose energy, farsightedness, and ruthless pragmatism transformed a country.” (The New Yorker)

Magnificent

This book was an absolute joy for me. Cixi was a remarkable woman who hasn't gotten ANYWHERE NEAR the credit she deserves for steering China into the modern age. While she was certainly no Saint, I think her biggest flaw was that she came a generation too early. I can't recommend this book highly enough - even if one has no interest in Chinese history whatsoever this work WILL totally captivate the reader, for it truly flows as a novel rather than a history book.

Wonderful historical narrative

History buffs and those who are curious about China will benefit from this obviously well researched narrative of one woman’s amazing role in China’s development in the world.

Interesting subject, unpleasant narration

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I would have hired a different actress for the narration. Jolene Kim's reading is dreadfully amateurish, and her use of a Chinese-ish accent for direct quotations from the empress is grating.

What did you like best about this story?

Jung Chang does an excellent job providing historical background and context for the constraints and traditions of the monarchy in China.

5 star story. 3 star narrator.

5 stars for the fascinating and engrossing story. 3 star for the narrator: generally pleasant to listen to, but 1) DREADFUL pronunciation for the Chinese names, which are very confusing, and 2) ridiculous English accent when quoting Cixi.

A great insight to history not taught in school

A history not taught in most American schools. well worth learning. An inspiration for young girls who do not have many role models.

Good story, annoying narration

I loved learning about the extensive history of Empress Dowager Cixi. When visiting Beijing, I ALWAYS hear her name mentioned over and over again. I hear about the dramas and movies made about her. I HAD to learn more about her.

5 stars to the story.

The narration though... is lacking. If you’re going to read a book about Chinese history set in China with Chinese names at least learn how to pronounce them correctly. I ground my gears hearing the narrator mispronounce the same words over and over again throughout the whole 19 hours. Disappointing.

But if you can get past the cringeworthy pronunciation, the history documented in this book is incredible.

Revisionist history at its best

Cixi's history has mostly been written by her enemies. They include traitors, Japanese enemies and folks who deride the thought that a woman could be so effective. Highly recommended for both history buffs and to better understand today's China.

really blow my mind

As a Chinese who only learnt history from the textbook, this book is really mind blowing. All the smears and discredits to a wonderful though not perfect woman are staggering. After reading several other books from the author, it seems to me the content in this book is credible and trustworthy. Great gob done again!

Horrible Performancer

In my long history of listening to audiobooks the narration of this one is the worst I've ever heard. It's almost as if the narrator had never seen the book before trying to read it out loud. Further, her attempts to do a Chinese accent are positively insulting.

The book is saved, however, by the fascinating subject and gritting your teeth, or maybe your ears, it is worth listening to learn a tremendous amount about the history of China.

Terrific portrait of a complex figure

It's refreshing to have a biography that is neither libelous nor hagiographic. I guess Cixi is fairly unknown in the West, so Chang's account of her life is deeply interesting from beginning to end, and filled with amazing details presented with narrative ease. She is fair and careful to address conflicting historical evidence, so you don't have to worry you're getting fed some biased or distorted account. Very, very good.