I really appreciated this one, Dorie. I’m realizing how much of my understanding of China came through pretty narrow entry points, and your historical work keeps opening that up for me in such a grounded, human way. Wu Zetian’s story, especially the layers around power, legitimacy, and narrative, was fascinating. Thank you for sharing these glimpses. I'm grateful for them.
You are very welcome! I will say when researching her look at more modern material. The older materials focus mainly on her not so public friendly sides. You can tell which ones are just complaints on her as a woman and which sources are more encompassing.
Dorie, what really works here for me, is the way you avoid simple moral framing. T
he piece doesn’t excuse brutality, but it also doesn’t let later interpretations completely define the story.
Instead, it shows how values and power shaped what ended up being remembered as “history.”
I was especially struck by the way Wu Zetian is presented less as an anomaly and more as a revealing case — someone whose reign exposed the limits and anxieties of the system itself.
Focusing on how legitimacy was constructed, rather than judging whether it was “deserved,” makes the piece feel grounded and thoughtful.
Empress Wu is one of my absolute favorites to study. She was a remarkable woman. Absolutely brilliant. I hope everyone enjoys learning about her as much as I love reading and researching about her.
I really appreciated this one, Dorie. I’m realizing how much of my understanding of China came through pretty narrow entry points, and your historical work keeps opening that up for me in such a grounded, human way. Wu Zetian’s story, especially the layers around power, legitimacy, and narrative, was fascinating. Thank you for sharing these glimpses. I'm grateful for them.
I have four more in this series coming
I'm looking forward to them!
That made my heart sing, thank you so much Andrea🩷
Yay, I like it when I can make someones heart sing. 😊🩷
I have to research more about her. She seems fascinating. Thank you for these well balanced and well researched insights
You are very welcome! I will say when researching her look at more modern material. The older materials focus mainly on her not so public friendly sides. You can tell which ones are just complaints on her as a woman and which sources are more encompassing.
Dorie, what really works here for me, is the way you avoid simple moral framing. T
he piece doesn’t excuse brutality, but it also doesn’t let later interpretations completely define the story.
Instead, it shows how values and power shaped what ended up being remembered as “history.”
I was especially struck by the way Wu Zetian is presented less as an anomaly and more as a revealing case — someone whose reign exposed the limits and anxieties of the system itself.
Focusing on how legitimacy was constructed, rather than judging whether it was “deserved,” makes the piece feel grounded and thoughtful.
A really engaging and illuminating read.
Thank you Mark, very much! She was truly remarkable.
Empress Wu is one of my absolute favorites to study. She was a remarkable woman. Absolutely brilliant. I hope everyone enjoys learning about her as much as I love reading and researching about her.