Rothschild, N. Harry: "Emperor Wu Zhao and Her Pantheon of Devis, Divinities, and Dynastic Mothers."(Book review)

• Author: Yang, Shanshan

Rothschild, N. Harry. Emperor Wu Zhao and Her Pantheon of Devis, Divinities, and Dynastic Mothers. New York: Columbia University Press, 2015.

Harry N. Rothschild's Emperor Wu Zhao and Her Pantheon of Devis, Divinities, and Dynastic Mothers provides useful sources for readers who are interested in Chinese History, Chinese Philosophy, Women's Studies, or Feminist Studies. With his specialization in Tang history and the study of Women and Gender in China, the author is well qualified to write in the field of Women's Studies during the Tang dynasty. His previous book Wu Zhao, China's Only Female Emperor demonstrates that he is an outstanding expert of the study of Emperor Wu Zhao. In his new book, the author uncovers a sacred connection between Wu Zhao and the culturally revered female ancestors, goddesses, and paragons from different religious traditions. He finds that this sacred connection strongly bolsters Wu Zhao's authority and leadership in the spiritual and political realms.

From this book, readers who are interested in the history and development of...