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| The Last Empress | 
 enlarge | Author: Anchee Min
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Category: Book
List Price: $25.00
Buy Used: $0.43
You Save: $24.57 (98%)
New (47) Used (52) Collectible (5) from $0.43
Avg. Customer Rating:  26 reviews
Sales Rank: 413376
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 320
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.1
ISBN: 0618531467
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780618531462
ASIN: 0618531467
Publication Date: March 21, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Hardcover. Ex Public Library, Light circulation. Very nice reading condition. Dustjacket in protective Mylar Plastic. May have usual markings, stickers or pocket. Shipped promptly via USPS. Thank you for shopping with us!
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| Customer Reviews:
| Showing reviews 1-5 of 26 | | NEXT » |
 Last Empress by Anchee Min November 25, 2008
I read this after reading "Imperial Woman" by Pearl Buck, so I now feel that I have a very good understanding of the last Empress of China and the politics of the time and the court. Both books dealt with the same character though with entirely different perspectives, national background of the author and generations. They were both fascinating in different ways.
Sequel Lacking October 26, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
If I could be more exact on the rating, the first book I'd give a high four. This book, the sequel, I am giving a very low four, perhaps a high three. I was a little disappointed by it after enjoying the first one so much more. This one lacked more description then the first. By ending one chapter and beginning the next three or four years would suddenly pass, leaving a big gap in events that should be important to the plot. I hate a lot of gaps in a story, and this one had several. If the author had committed to writing fifty more pages this problem could have been avoided and a better understanding given to the last half of the empresses life. With China's constant attacks from foreigners and the emperor's lacking in strength, there really wasn't much else going on or to look forward too. I enjoyed it well enough and with the two books combined it is good entertainment for any history buff.
 ok July 2, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Good book.
I always wondered why China maintained itself so isolated for so many centuries. I started to understand the real reasons by reading this book.
This queen was exceptionally intelligent; she knew how to manipulate man and keep the control over millions ...excellent !
On the other hand, the read very complicated and convoluted !
The Last Empress May 27, 2008
Fiction based on History, brings the main Character, The Last Empress to life...Was a very good selection for our book club...had a nice Chinese dinner to eat, including chop sticks,tea and lots of good discussion on the book.
historical fiction? May 23, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I have read many historical fictions about CiXi (in Chinese) and this work (along with the prequel Empress Orchid) is the only ones that has portrayed the woman in a sympathetic light. It is commonly known that CiXi is a wicked dowager empress who has indirectly caused her sons' deaths and accelerated the downfall of the empire.
I was confused and very skeptical about the possible historical inaccuracies in the books initially but as I decided to read the books as fiction, they became quite enjoyable.
Nonetheless, I would not simply recommend the books to anyone without emphasizing the disclaimer that the stories and "facts" are not to be considered as scholarly history without further research. Since there are some doubts and confusion as to how the readers should approach the books, perhaps an introduction or preface by the author would be helpful.
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