57) Empress Dowager Cixi: The Concubine who Launched Modern China by Jung Chang Cixi as many imperial concubines may well have been lost to history had she not produced the only son of Emperor Xianfeng of the Qing Dynasty. The consequence of this would result in the downfall of China’s 2000 year old imperial system. There is no doubt that she is a polarising figure and Chang does attempt to separate fact from fiction using recently accessible imperial archives. What results though is the complete opposite and she comes across as completely bias towards her actions ignoring the fact that by installing children on the throne she as regent could control the affairs of the Qing court much of which would have dire consequences for the dynasty as a whole.
Last edited by Crazy_Babe; 09/30/2004:13 AM.
The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched they must be felt with the heart
