Summary:
The book provides a biography of Cixi, the powerful woman who effectively controlled the Chinese Qing dynasty for nearly half a century, from 1861 to 1908. It reevaluates her reign, depicting her as a reformer and modernizer who transformed China into a global power, challenging the traditional view of her as a tyrannical and conservative figure.
Key points:
1. Cixi as a Modernizer: The book depicts Cixi as a reformer who introduced Western ideas and technology, modernized the military and education, abolished foot-binding, and advocated for women's rights.
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