She's up there with Wu Zetian and Jiang Qing as the most ruthless, shrewd and manipulative figures in politics. Imperial Woman is story of the life of Tsu Hsi Empress of the early twentieth century, one of the most formidable and powerful women in China's history. "so here you go: China at its most peculiar and perplexing in a turbulent and precarious time. She reveals the essence of this self-involved and infamous last Empress, at the same time she takes the listener through China’s struggle for freedom and democracy. Buck’s knowledge of and fascination with the Empress’s life are contagious. The Empress’s rise to power (even during her husband’s life) parallels the story of China’s transition from the ancient to the modern way.
Tzu Hsi was feared and hated by many in the court, but adored by the people. But her singular beauty and powers of manipulation quickly moved her into the position of Second Consort. According to custom, she moved to the Forbidden City at the age of seventeen to become one of hundreds of concubines. Tzu Hsi was born into one of the lowly ranks of the Imperial dynasty.
Buck recreates the life of one of the most intriguing rules during a time of intense turbulence. The story of Tzu Hsi is the story of the last Empress in China.
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