Wu: The Chinese Empress who schemed, seduced and murdered her way to become a living God

Wu: The Chinese Empress who schemed, seduced and murdered her way to become a living God

by Jonathan Clements

316 pages· 2014· ISBN 9781909771109
Join Readfeed freeFind clubs reading this bookBrowse readable books
About
Empress Wu Zetian (624-705 AD) was the only woman to be the sovereign ruler of imperial China. A teenage concubine of the Tang Emperor Taizong, she seduced his son while the emperor lay dying. Recalled from a nunnery as part of an intricate court power-game, she caused the deaths of two lady rivals, before securing her enthronement as the Emperor Gaozong’s consort. She ruled in the name of her husband and two eldest sons, presiding over the pinnacle of the Silk Road, before proclaiming herself the founder of a new dynasty. Worshipped as the Sage Mother of Mankind and reviled as the Treacherous Fox, she was deposed aged 79, after angry courtiers murdered her two young lovers. The subject of countless books, plays and films, Empress Wu remains a feminist icon and a bugbear of Chinese conservatism. Jonathan Clements weighs the evidence of her life and legacy: so charismatic that she could rise from nothing to the height of medieval power, so hated that her own children left her tombstone blank.

Discuss Wu: The Chinese Empress who schemed, seduced and murdered her way to become a living God with other readers

Join or start a book club for Wu: The Chinese Empress who schemed, seduced and murdered her way to become a living God on Readfeed. Live chat, shared reading progress, and AI discussion questions — free to get started.

Sign up freeBrowse book clubs

Frequently asked questions

How do I join a book club for Wu: The Chinese Empress who schemed, seduced and murdered her way to become a living God?

Sign up free on Readfeed, then browse public clubs or start your own club with Wu: The Chinese Empress who schemed, seduced and murdered her way to become a living God as the current read. Invite friends with a share link and discuss together with live chat and AI discussion questions.

Can I discuss Wu: The Chinese Empress who schemed, seduced and murdered her way to become a living God with other readers online?

Yes. Readfeed book clubs let you chat live, share progress, and join discussions about Wu: The Chinese Empress who schemed, seduced and murdered her way to become a living God with readers worldwide — whether your club is virtual, in-person, or hybrid.

Is Readfeed free?

Yes. Creating an account and joining book clubs is free. Sign up to find readers who love the same books and start discussing today.