{"product_id":"9780307456700","title":"Empress Dowager Cixi","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e Notable Book\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAn NPR Best Book of the Year\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 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.\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":"Chang, Jung","offers":[{"title":"Paperback \/ softback Trade paperback (US)","offer_id":42879211241696,"sku":"1234584128","price":10.77,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0330\/3125\/8248\/products\/BNCImageAPI_4c0c2650-a262-4829-9a07-13c3e20f6009.jpg?v=1653070714","url":"https:\/\/agricola-street-books.myshopify.com\/products\/9780307456700","provider":"Agricola Street Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}