Chinese rulers guaranteed male successors by taking multiple wives, sometimes in the thousands. Women Shall Not Rule is a fascinating history of the imperial wives and concubines, especially in light of the greatest challenges to polygamous harmony--rivalry between women and their attempts to engage in politics. Keith McMahon, a leading expert on the history of gender in China, draws upon decades of research to describe polygamous emperors and women rulers throughout Chinese history. Displaying rare historical breadth, his lively and fascinating study will be invaluable as a comprehensive and authoritative resource for all readers interested in the domestic life of royal palaces across the world.