Wu Zetian
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Summary
Editor's review
In terms of reading value, this book is an excellent introduction to Wu Zetian herself and the early Tang. Meng's interpretation bears a distinct personal stamp: she seeks to understand rather than simply judge Wu Zetian, extending a sympathetic examination to her choices on the path to power, her statecraft, and even her inner loneliness and fear. This perspective of "sympathetic understanding" helps readers move beyond the binary labels of "wicked empress" or "enlightened ruler" and see a complex woman who, in a patriarchal society, rose to the summit through extraordinary intelligence, ruthless determination, and uncommon luck. The book's interspersed descriptions of Tang political institutions and social life also add historical depth. Readers should note, however, that the book's conclusions are mostly based on traditional official histories and mainstream views, with little coverage of some recent new research or iconoclastic interpretations. It can serve as a starting point to spark interest in history; deeper exploration requires more specialized academic works.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- History enthusiasts new to Tang history or the life of Wu Zetian
- Readers who enjoy the "Lecture Room" style and want storytelling and readability
- Readers hoping to understand how outstanding women survived within the traditional male political framework
- Those seeking an easy, accessible popular work that quickly captures the outline of Wu Zetian's life
Not a good fit for
- Professional researchers seeking the latest cutting-edge scholarship or in-depth historiographical textual criticism
- Readers expecting extensive challenges to conventional understanding and rigorous analysis of historical sources
Reading tips
- Can be paired with Meng Man's corresponding "Lecture Room" video lectures to experience her vivid storytelling style
- After reading, expand to relevant chapters of Zizhi Tongjian or more academic biographies such as Lei Jiaji's Biography of Wu Zetian for comparative reflection
- Pay attention to the book's analysis of Wu Zetian's key decisions (such as deposing Empress Wang and installing herself, employing harsh officials, and choosing an heir) and consider the limitations of her era alongside her personal agency
About the publisher
Zhejiang Education Publishing House is a professional publisher focusing on educational publishing while also serving general readers and academic accumulation, with publications covering textbooks, educational readers, popular science, and academic works. Judging from the more than 1,000 titles in the database, the press places considerable emphasis on classics and traditional culture for general readers: modern literature includes Lao She's Camel Xiangzi, Lu Xun's Call to Arms and Wandering and Wild Grass, Xiao Hong's The Story of Hulan River, and Zhu Ziqing's Back View; classical poetry includes Three Hundred Tang Poems and selections from the "Good Chinese Poetry" series, such as the Chu Ci and Qing ci anthologies. Related authors include modern writers such as Lao She, Lu Xun, Xiao Hong, and Zhu Ziqing, as well as classical literature selectors and annotators such as Hengtang Tuishi, Jin Xingyao, Jin Kaicheng, and Qian Zhonglian. Common categories in the database also include social novels, classic works, prose and miscellaneous writings, popular science, and inspirational growth, reflecting a publishing orientation that balances educational service with the popularization of public culture.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 新版序
- 引 子
- 第一章 则天家世
- 一、山西文水的小门户
- 二、家族崛起
- 三、童年故事
- 第二章 初入宫廷
- 一、见天子庸知非福
- 二、狮子骢事件
- 三、非凡的预言
- 四、太宗不爱武则天
- 第三章 狐媚惑主
- 一、流落尼姑庵
- 二、爱上父皇的才人
- 三、病榻偷情
- 四、尼寺传情
- 五、执手激情
- 第四章 后宫风云
- 一、后妃争宠
- 二、重返后宫
- 三、晋位昭仪
- 四、淑妃失宠
- 五、武昭仪的野心
- 第五章 冲击后位
- 一、小公主死亡之谜
- 二、收买长孙国舅
- 三、后宫巫蛊案
- 四、宸妃风波
- 第六章 殿廷对决
- 一、谁在支持武昭仪
- 二、殿廷上的闹剧
- 第七章 正位中宫
- 一、此陛下家事
- 二、三种力量的角逐
- 三、六宫新主
- 第八章 两种命运
- 一、王萧之死
- 二、改立太子
- 三、重组外廷
- 第九章 国舅之死
- 一、国舅谋反案
- 二、案中案
- 三、血雨腥风
- 第十章 母仪天下
- 一、提高家族地位
- 二、打造公众形象
- 三、理顺家庭关系
- 四、一朝理政
- 第十一章 帝后争锋
- 一、李义府失势
- 二、上官仪伏诛
- 第十二章 垂帘听政
- 一、二圣临朝
- 二、封禅泰山
- 三、魏国夫人之死
- 四、武后避位
- 第十三章 晋升天后
- 一、自封天后
- 二、培植外戚
- 三、建言十二事
- 第十四章 李弘之死
- 一、有其父必有其子
- 二、母子冲突
- 三、李弘死亡疑团
- 第十五章 李贤之废
- 一、天后摄政事件
- 二、母子斗法
- 三、太子谋反案
- 第十六章 高宗宾天
- 一、病笃离乡
- 二、客死东都
- 三、费解的遗诏
- 第十七章 废黜儿皇
- 一、太后图谋夺权
- 二、李哲一朝被废
- 三、李旦糊涂接班
- 第十八章 扬州叛乱
- 一、酒馆里的密谋
- 二、请看今日之域中，竟是谁家之天下
- 三、平定反叛
- 第十九章 诛杀裴炎
- 一、意外的逼宫
- 二、莫须有的谋反
- 三、朝堂立威
- 第二十章 燕啄皇孙
- 一、疯狂的石头
- 二、宗室联反
- 三、燕飞来，啄皇孙
- 第二十一章 女皇登基
- 一、标新立异的改革
- 二、祥瑞满天飞
- 三、声势浩大的请愿
- 四、一代女皇
- 第二十二章 风声鹤唳
- 一、告密吃香
- 二、酷吏横行
- 三、鬼朴来了
- 第二十三章 请君入瓮
- 一、以其人之道还治其人之身
- 二、恶人自有恶人磨
- 三、酷吏时代的终结
- 第二十四章 大柱擎天
- 一、英雄不问出处
- 二、君子满朝
- 第二十五章 夺嫡大战
- 一、武承嗣的野心
- 二、李旦的桃花劫
- 第二十六章 重立庐陵
- 一、立子还是立侄
- 二、男宠的枕边风
- 三、庐陵王东山再起
- 第二十七章 嵩呼万岁
- 一、封禅嵩山
- 二、金简祈福
- 三、沉湎享乐
- 四、调和李武
- 第二十八章 小宝兴衰
- 一、小混混一步登天
- 二、太后的“贤内助”
- 三、一错再错
- 四、小宝之死
- 第二十九章 二张乱政
- 一、莲花似六郎
- 二、面首也干政
- 第三十章 政坛博弈
- 一、拥张与倒张
- 二、张昌宗贪污案
- 三、神秘的飞书
- 第三十一章 神龙政变
- 一、二张的敌人们
- 二、突发的政变
- 第三十二章 白发余威
- 一、虎落平阳
- 二、余威犹存
- 三、生荣死哀
- 第三十三章 无字丰碑
- 一、悠悠千载无字碑
- 二、是非功过任评说
- 三、一半是火焰，一半是海水
- 后 记
FAQ
How does this book differ from the image of Wu Zetian depicted in TV dramas and other film and television works?
Does Meng Man praise or criticize Wu Zetian?
Is this book suitable for middle school students?
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About the author
Meng Man, of Manchu ethnicity, was born in January 1975 in Pingquan, Hebei, with her ancestral home in Dachang, Hebei. She holds a PhD in history from Peking University and is a professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of History and Culture, Minzu University of China. She is a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and formerly a vice president of the All-China Women's Federation (concurrently). Her research focuses on the history of the Sui, Tang and Five Dynasties and on the history of women in ancient China. She has appeared five times on CCTV's Lecture Room and is a longtime commentator on cultural programs such as the Chinese Poetry Conference. Her books span literary appreciation, history and classical poetry, including a multi-volume history of the Sui and Tang, seasonal poetry collections, and a series of poetry lessons on women, as well as a Chinese-English bilingual anthology, bridging academic research and popular reading and promoting traditional Chinese culture.
