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Hardcover first published 1957 by William Heinemann. A large piece is missing from the head of the jacket spine, and the edgews are worn and creased, with some soiling to the rear panel and edges. The spine is sunned. The boards are clean and square, with some signs of wear to the edges and spine. Though generally aged, all pages are otherwise clean and unmarked. "During the seventh century, when Europe was swallowed up in the dark ages, a woman of exceptional sophistication became Empress of China and wielded power as cleverly and despotically as any ruler the world has known."
