Lady Wu : a novel
Biographical novel set in 7th century China, telling of Wu Tsertien whose meteoric rise from obscurity to become Empress of China is without parallel among the queens of Western history. Wu was a minor concubine of Emperor Taizong who went into a convent after his death, only to emerge to become the concubine and then first wife of the next emperor, Gaozong. Her rise was made possible by her political savvy in making friends with the maids of the other concubines and wives, and her utter ruthlessness in eliminating everyone who got in her way. She was so powerful that when Gaozong died, she took the reins of power for herself, exiling her own sons so she could be Empress Regnant
Print Book, English, 1965
G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 1965