A biography of Empress Dowager Cixi who ruled over China from 1861 through 1908 that discusses how she rose to power and the challenges she faced as a leader.

The world of Empress Cixi -- A wicked web -- Introduction -- pt. 1. A girl in the Forbidden City -- Modest beginnings -- In the Forbidden City -- Revolt! -- Heir to a shaky empire -- Up in flames -- Death of an emperor -- pt. 2. Behind the silk curtain -- Back to Beijing -- Self-strengthening -- Massacre in Tianjin -- Like father, like son -- "Glorious succession" -- War comes again -- The marble boat -- Empress Cixi in pictures -- pt. 3 The last empress -- One hundred days -- Terror in Beijing -- Barbarians in the Forbidden City -- Death of an empress -- Wicked? -- Timeline of terror.