Customer Reviews

Dangerous Women: Warriors, Grannies, and Geishas of the Ming

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"Dangerous Women," by Dr. Victoria Cass, is a fascinating exploration of important and contemporary subjects involving power structures and women's issues, set in the mysterious and powerful Ming Dynasty of China. I liked the combination of academic analysis with colorful storytelling, making the book interesting and informative, a rare accomplishment. The most difficult aspiration for a histrical analysis, though, is to relate the people and their norms with modern day cultures. Dr. Cass performs these duties with great success and the reader often feels directly connected to the cut throat politics, class issues, and power dynamics as they are described in this book. Whether male or female, any reader can empathize with the struggles and triumphs in the stories of this book, as I did.

Dr. Cass has written a thoroughly enjoyable and informative book about women during the Ming Dynasty in China. Most important, she demonstrates with a wide range of historical examples that there is much more to Chinese history and culture than its Confucian legacy. Aside from eliminating the China doll myth, Dr. Cass shows that there is a facet to Chinese civilization that is still connected to the earth, magic, and more feminine worldview. Moreover, Dr. Cass makes the case that you can not truly understand Chinese society without appreciating the crucial role that Chinese women, who found genuine means of self-empowerment (including shamanism), played in the world of the Ming.

With topics ranging from cult of qing, dramatis personae, Taoist eccentrics, Ming loyalists, Medicine women, matchmakers, to alme literati, etc, etc, Dangerous Women is unequivocally an indispensable resource for those who have an interest in Ming culture. I think it is one of the most rare inquisitions ever done in English on Chinese women.

This book provides great insights into female archetypes of the Ming Dynasty. The depth of research along with a humanizing attention to story and detail make it a worthwhile read. I've recommended it to friends, to my women's book club, and to family members.

I loved this book, and now use it in my university teaching.
It changed my thinking about women in China, in particular, and about late imperial Chinese history in general.
Beautiful writing complements meticulous, penetrating research.
Six stars.