Court Life in China: The Capital, Its Officials and People by Isaac Taylor Headland

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Author Headland, Isaac Taylor, 1859-1942
Title Court Life in China: The Capital, Its Officials and People
Note Reading ease score: 61.4 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.
Credits Produced by Charles Keller. HTML version by Al Haines.
Summary "Court Life in China: The Capital, Its Officials and People" by Isaac Taylor Headland is a historical account likely written in the early 20th century. The narrative focuses on the intricacies of the Chinese imperial court, particularly under the influence of the powerful Empress Dowager, as well as the various officials and the lives of the people connected to it. The book aims to shed light on the previously hidden lives within the Forbidden City and the dynamics of power and reform during a transformative period in Chinese history. At the start of the work, Headland introduces the Empress Dowager, Tze Hsi An, who is characterized by her commanding presence and significant influence over the nation's affairs. The text details her humble beginnings, growing up in a family of modest means, and the societal customs surrounding the selection of young girls for positions within the imperial harem. Through anecdotes from Headland's wife, who served as a physician to the imperial family, the opening sections illustrate the Empress Dowager's transformation from a lowly concubine to the most powerful figure in China, reflecting on her unique blend of ambition, intelligence, and the nuances of court life. The emotional weight of her early life experiences shapes her views on education and reform, positioning her as a figure of both architectural majesty and depth amid the political turbulence of her time. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Language English
LoC Class DS: History: General and Eastern Hemisphere: Asia
Subject Cixi, Empress dowager of China, 1835-1908
Subject Empresses -- China -- Biography
Subject Women -- China
Subject China -- Court and courtiers
Category Text
EBook-No. 523
Release Date
Most Recently Updated Jan 1, 2021
Copyright Status Public domain in the USA.
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