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suzumemizuno's review against another edition
4.0
Muy sencillo de leer. Jung Chang insiste en desmontar los mitos alrededor de Cixí, lo cual en ocasiones la lleva a intepretar libremente las intenciones de la emperatriz, igual que hicieron otros historiadores (en el caso de estos, convirtiéndola en un monstruo). La perspectiva de Chang alza a Cixí como una reformadora con una especial obsesión por la «modernidad», y dedica relativo poco espacio a las ocasiones en las que Cixí promovió ejecuciones sumarias, pero también da el peso que se merece a la lucha por intentar que China pudiera estar en pie de igualdad con el resto de potencias.
En particular he encontrado interesante que Chang no se limite a la bibliografía oficial, sino que recurra a las experiencias personales de mujeres occidentales que conocieron a la emperatriz. Así podemos verla más como un ser humano antes que como mera imagen estereotipada de concubina, madre, madrastra o emperatriz. Al evadir las fuente exclusivamene masculinas se nos abre un mundo distinto, y al menos a mí me despierta interés por leer aún más sobre Cixí.
En definitiva, un buen libro de divulgación para cualquiera que pretenda conocer a Cixí.
Ahora, las opiniones acerca de sus enemigos y los movimientos revolucionarios no van a satisfacer a nadie, siendo un libro que se inclina ante todo por la emperatriz.
En particular he encontrado interesante que Chang no se limite a la bibliografía oficial, sino que recurra a las experiencias personales de mujeres occidentales que conocieron a la emperatriz. Así podemos verla más como un ser humano antes que como mera imagen estereotipada de concubina, madre, madrastra o emperatriz. Al evadir las fuente exclusivamene masculinas se nos abre un mundo distinto, y al menos a mí me despierta interés por leer aún más sobre Cixí.
En definitiva, un buen libro de divulgación para cualquiera que pretenda conocer a Cixí.
Ahora, las opiniones acerca de sus enemigos y los movimientos revolucionarios no van a satisfacer a nadie, siendo un libro que se inclina ante todo por la emperatriz.
junyan's review against another edition
5.0
「可是，過去的一百年對慈禧不公平。從史書到一般人，不是罵她是邪惡暴君，就是貶她無用無能——要不就兩者都是。慈禧的功績很少得到承認，就是承認，也歸於她身邊的男性官員。慈禧有一個根本上的不幸：她是個女人。她只能用兒子的名義去統治，結果自己的真實角色不為人知。人們不知情，謠言便滿天飛，謊話被編造出來，很能蒙蔽人。就像賽珍珠觀察到的：仇恨她的人比愛戴她的人更善於宣傳。慈禧死後控製中國的政治力量也抹黑她，抹殺她的成就，以便宣稱是他們把國家從慈禧留下的爛攤子中解救出來。」
constancely's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Torture, Violence, Murder, and War
Feminist historymogreig's review against another edition
5.0
A fascinating account of the woman who modernised China. An astute politician and ruler who deserves her correct place in history.
Beautifully written, this gripping account of Cixi a powerful read.
Beautifully written, this gripping account of Cixi a powerful read.
sarahlreadseverything's review against another edition
5.0
*Disclaimer: I recieved a copy of this book thanks to Goodreads First Reads. I recieved no other form of compensation and all opinions are my own*
I really enjoyed this one. It's readable, and the subject matter is fascinating. I have to admit, Chinese history is not my strong point and this served as an all encompassing introduction into the time period as well as a fascinating biography of an extraordinary woman. I am a little sad that I haven't read more about Empress Dowager Cixi before, as Chang's perspective is obviously a revisionist one. I'm looking forward to doing more reading, so I can see others perspectives on her.
The book starts with Cixi's birth, and traces her life all the way through to her death as the (almost) undisputed ruler of China. I enjoyed Chang's effort to make this a portrait of a woman as well as a ruler - effort is obviously made to explore who Cixi was in everyday life, not just as a head of state. I also enjoyed that even though her perspective is obviously revisionist (I understand that Cixi is usually portrayed as a tyrant or a despot, whereas Chang portrays her as a wise moderniser) she does not flinch from stating fact: Cixi did sanction murder, and torture, on multiple occasions and she made political decisions that turned out to be the wrong ones.
The picture of China Chang shows us is also a fascinating one and she does a beautiful job of showing a country undergoing extreme transition without it becoming the focus of the story she is trying to tell. Under Cixi's watch, China moved from the traditional to the modern, and later we see the beginnings of a society about to collapse.
Overall? Fascinating and interesting, Empress Dowager Cixi: The Concubine Who Launched Modern China is well worth reading (although I do wish Chang had cited her sources better. There are notes at the end of the book, but no endnote notations in the text!)
I really enjoyed this one. It's readable, and the subject matter is fascinating. I have to admit, Chinese history is not my strong point and this served as an all encompassing introduction into the time period as well as a fascinating biography of an extraordinary woman. I am a little sad that I haven't read more about Empress Dowager Cixi before, as Chang's perspective is obviously a revisionist one. I'm looking forward to doing more reading, so I can see others perspectives on her.
The book starts with Cixi's birth, and traces her life all the way through to her death as the (almost) undisputed ruler of China. I enjoyed Chang's effort to make this a portrait of a woman as well as a ruler - effort is obviously made to explore who Cixi was in everyday life, not just as a head of state. I also enjoyed that even though her perspective is obviously revisionist (I understand that Cixi is usually portrayed as a tyrant or a despot, whereas Chang portrays her as a wise moderniser) she does not flinch from stating fact: Cixi did sanction murder, and torture, on multiple occasions and she made political decisions that turned out to be the wrong ones.
The picture of China Chang shows us is also a fascinating one and she does a beautiful job of showing a country undergoing extreme transition without it becoming the focus of the story she is trying to tell. Under Cixi's watch, China moved from the traditional to the modern, and later we see the beginnings of a society about to collapse.
Overall? Fascinating and interesting, Empress Dowager Cixi: The Concubine Who Launched Modern China is well worth reading (although I do wish Chang had cited her sources better. There are notes at the end of the book, but no endnote notations in the text!)