Cass, Victoria B. : University of Colorado at Boulder
Victoria B. Cass received her doctorate in Chinese language and literature from the University of California,
Berkeley. She is associate professor of Chinese Language and Literature at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Review
"A fascinating read. This book makes Ming history come alive. Vicky Cass shows these extraordinary women
full of energy and complexity."
--Dorothy Ko, Rutgers University
"Anyone who is interested in learning more about the history of women should read these colorful portraits."
--Booklist
"An important, original work. The scholarship is meticulous and thorough, the translations are both accurate
and beautiful. The author has a wonderful way of connecting primary sources and ideas as she weaves a spellbinding
tale out of literature, historical documents, art, popular culture, and religious texts. Dangerous Women provides
a rare combination of academic excellence and a compelling narrative voice."
--Suzanne Cahill, University of California, San Diego
"Who could have imagined such a world of powerful womenread this book!"
--Lynn Freed, The Mirror
Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, Inc. Web Site, January, 2001
Summary
Grannies, geishas, warriors, mystics, recluses, and predatorsthese are the dangerous women of traditional China.
Through her exploration of the myth and history of the Ming, Victoria B. Cass brings their world brilliantly to
life. In a culture that is resoundingly patriarchal, these women are a vivid counterpoint. Violating state-sponsored
orthodoxies, the granny mocks and mimics, the geisha charms with her intellect, the warrior rules in icy superiority.
Using new and freshly interpreted sources, the author leads us confidently into this surprising world, bolstering
her erudite and engaging text with stunning color and black and white art of the period.
Table of Contents
Preface
Background: The Great Ming
Geishas
Grannies
Warriors and Mystics
Predators
Recluses and Malcontents
Conclusion
Note on Sources
