Donna (bookowl) - , reviewed The Lady and the Panda : The True Adventures of the First American Explorer to Bring Back China's Most Exotic Animal on
Helpful Score: 3
This is a non-fiction piece that almost reads like a novel. In a fascinating story about a socialite turned adventurer, Ruth Harkness leaves Manhattan for the wilderness of 1930s China and leads an expedition to capture and bring back the first Giant Panda. This well-researched work offers an interesting snapshot of the period, touching upon the political unrest in China, the changing role of women, US foreign relations, cross-cultural relationships, and the beginnings of the conservation movement. One comes away with an appreciation of the land, people and culture of China. Great book for discussion!
John O. (buzzby) -
Wonderful adventure story - it's refreshing to read an adventure written by a woman (as well as about a woman), because there's much more about her inner thoughts than a book written by and about testosterone-laden adventurers. She actually trekked (twice) to Sichuan (Szechuan), not Tibet.
John O. (buzzby) -
This was quite enjoyable. Without giving too much away, most of the adventure happened in the first half, with the rest of the book being the main chararacter trying to recreate her successes in the first part. It (almost) all takes place in 1930s China, which was a happening place (no Reds showed up, though).
