"Since [Backhouse's] death, [...], it has been established that the major source of his China Under the Empress Dowager is a forgery, most likely by Backhouse himself." --Wikipedia page on Sir Edmund Backhouse, 2nd Baronet, viewed Nov. 7, 2023.

Release date is 2023-11-04

Tim Lindell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)

"China under the Empress Dowager: Being the History of the Life and Times of Tzŭ Hsi" by J. O. P. Bland and E. Backhouse is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The book delves into the life of Tzŭ Hsi, also known as the Empress Dowager, detailing her rise to power, manipulations within the court, and her significant influence over China during a tumultuous period. It offers a comprehensive look into the complexities of the Manchu court, politics, and Tzŭ Hsi’s personal story against the backdrop of a declining dynasty. At the start of the book, the authors introduce Yehonala, the woman who would become Empress Dowager Tzŭ Hsi. Her early life, marked by the struggles of her lineage, is discussed alongside her childhood, education, and rise within the imperial harem after marrying Emperor Hsien-Feng. The narrative highlights key moments, including the family pressures she faced, her quick adaptation to palace life, and the political intrigues that surrounded her, illustrating how she began to assert her influence through cunning and intelligence, even from a young age. This opening portion sets the stage for examining her role in shaping imperial policy and navigating the chaos of 19th-century China. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Originally published: Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott Co., 1910