The Iron Empress: A Novel

By Jung Chang

A sweeping historical novel that tells the story of Empress Dowager Cixi, one of the most powerful women in Chinese history.

In the late 19th century, China is in turmoil. The Qing Dynasty is crumbling, and foreign powers are encroaching on the country from all sides. In this time of chaos, a young woman named Cixi rises to power. She is intelligent, ambitious, and ruthless, and she will stop at nothing to protect her country and her family.

Cixi's story is one of triumph and tragedy. She is a brilliant strategist and a fierce warrior, but she is also a woman who is deeply in love with her husband, the Emperor Xianfeng. When Xianfeng dies, Cixi is left to rule China on her own. She faces many challenges, but she always manages to overcome them. She defeats the foreign powers, she puts down rebellions, and she modernizes China.

Cixi is a complex and fascinating character. She is a woman of great strength and courage, but she is also capable of great cruelty. She is a devoted mother, but she is also willing to sacrifice her own children for the sake of her country. Cixi is a woman who is both loved and hated, but she is never forgotten.

The Iron Empress is a gripping historical novel that tells the story of a remarkable woman who lived in a time of great change. It is a story of love, loss, betrayal, and triumph. It is a story that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

Praise for The Iron Empress

"A sweeping historical novel that brings to life one of the most fascinating women in Chinese history. Cixi is a complex and compelling character, and Chang's writing is both beautiful and insightful. A must-read for anyone interested in Chinese history or historical fiction." — The New York Times

"Chang's novel is a tour de force. She brings Cixi to life in all her complexity and contradictions. The Iron Empress is a powerful and moving story that will stay with you long after you finish reading it." — The Washington Post

"A brilliant historical novel that tells the story of a remarkable woman who lived in a time of great change. The Iron Empress is a must-read for anyone interested in Chinese history or historical fiction." — The Wall Street Journal

About the Author

Jung Chang is the author of the international bestsellers Wild Swans and Mao: The Unknown Story. She has been awarded numerous prizes for her writing, including the National Book Critics Circle Award and the PEN/Martha Albrand Award for Nonfiction. She lives in London.