Two Years in the Forbidden City, by The Princess Der Ling - Akasha Classics, AkashaPublishing.Com - Gain a fascinating glimpse into the vanished world of imperial China with Two Years in the Forbidden City. Der Ling was the daughter of a Chinese statesman, and served as a lady-in-waiting to the Empress Dowager Ci-Xi in the early years of the 20th Century. Her insider view gives a captivating and surprisingly intimate portrait of the Dragon Lady, who ruled China for 47 years, and brought the country to the brink of destruction. Shortly afterwards Der Ling married an American and, styling herself a 'princess', wrote a series of books about her experiences. Two Years in the Forbidden City is the first of these unique memoirs, and is an exceptional first-hand account of the inner workings of the highly secretive world of the imperial palace, and a detailed portrait of the life and personality of the Empress Dowager.