Qing Dynasty

ANCIENT HISTORY

Hair Razing

Two recent dramas offer new explanations to why the wife of Emperor Qianlong cut her hair—and got herself banished from court

BOOKS

The Drug War

In “Imperial Twilight,” historian Stephen Platt shows how flawed decisions led to full-blown conflict between two mighty trading partners

HISTORY

Youth Reform

When a generation is convinced they might be the last of their civilization, they take action—and sometimes wind up bitterly disappointed