Empress Dowager Cixi

The Concubine Who Launched Modern China

By: Jung Chang

Narrated by: Jolene Kim

Length: 16 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

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Based on newly available, mostly Chinese, historical documents such as court records, official and private correspondence, diaries and eyewitness accounts, this biography will revolutionize historical thinking about a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)

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.

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.

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.

A New Perspective on China

What did you love best about Empress Dowager Cixi?

The book offers a new perspective on the "Dragon Lady" and her rule in China. We often take the textbook version of history, discounting the author. In this book, the author allow us to see the situation from Cixi's viewpoint and the circumstances that existed during her "reign."

What was one of the most memorable moments of Empress Dowager Cixi?

What impacted me most was the viewpoint. We tend to see Cixi's reign from a man's perspective, not a woman's. Each situation that calls for analysis, then brings in the cultural circumstances from which it arises, makes the reader think even more about what we have been taught about Cixi.

What about Jolene Kim’s performance did you like?

Good reader, but butchered the Chinese. This may not be a problem for non Chinese speakers, but for those that speak the language, it can be painful.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Cixi: The Story of China's Leading Lady

Any additional comments?

This is a great read for both Chinese expert and novice alike. Perhaps one of the best, and most controversial books written on the Dragon Lady.

Fantastic remarkable

This is my 2nd audible book by Jung Chang. Wonderfully narrated, very long and sometimes sad to follow. At times remarkable and enlightening. It will change how you view the Empress Dowager, Manchu dynasty and the other nations at odds with China. I find this book along with her book on Mao a good explanation of todays China. this book emphasizes how ppl change as they interact with each other and we all hope that with more interactions, nations behave in more enlightened and peaceful ways. Long read but well worth it if you are interested.

Truly fantastic

As someone who is currently living in China I found the whole book utterly fascinating. Definitely worth a read so many people have very strong opinions about her. Wonderful read

Interesting

Lots of detail and information about this ruler and her dynasty however I was disappointed though that it was more (to me) like a research paper/biography vs. a story.
So if you're interested in historical details read like a report chapter after chapter then you'll probably find it quite interesting.

Excellent narration and a flattering biography

The author has written a very favorable portrait of Cixi. Yes she did a lot to try to reform China, but she did a lot of harm as well. The author has clearly forgiven Cixi for her mistakes and spends the majority of the book praising her. It’s a good listen about a strong female leader in a male dominated world.