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joabroda's review
adventurous
informative
4.0
That is what drew me to this book. A woman, in 1936! I needed to know more.
Ruth Harkness, was a newly wed 30 something dress designer. Her husband, Bill, was a wealthy adventurer (yes, that was an occupation back then). Just weeks after their wedding Bill went to China in search of the illusive Panda. Bill failed, and died while in China. Grief stricken, and not sure how to carry on Ruth decided that, in his name, she would fulfill his mission. Needless to say she was laughed at, told to stop being silly and countless other clichés. Ruth persisted and won the respect she deserved by bringing an infant giant panda home to the USA.
What a woman, what a story! I loved it and was glad it caught my attention.
Ruth Harkness, was a newly wed 30 something dress designer. Her husband, Bill, was a wealthy adventurer (yes, that was an occupation back then). Just weeks after their wedding Bill went to China in search of the illusive Panda. Bill failed, and died while in China. Grief stricken, and not sure how to carry on Ruth decided that, in his name, she would fulfill his mission. Needless to say she was laughed at, told to stop being silly and countless other clichés. Ruth persisted and won the respect she deserved by bringing an infant giant panda home to the USA.
What a woman, what a story! I loved it and was glad it caught my attention.
gglazer's review
4.0
Ruth Harkness' story is amazing -- I had no idea that a Depression-era female adventurer had brought back the first living panda to the United States. This made a great audio book; the narrator's voice was decent, and the quick pace and linear retelling of the story make it a good choice when you know you're going to have to start and stop a lot, and probably zone out a bit along the way.
I really wish, though, that the author had explored certain parts of of the story in more depth. I really wanted some follow-up on the death of one of the pandas and the lives of those who were living in captivity. A little less Lady and a little more Panda would have been welcome.
I really wish, though, that the author had explored certain parts of of the story in more depth. I really wanted some follow-up on the death of one of the pandas and the lives of those who were living in captivity. A little less Lady and a little more Panda would have been welcome.
vantuly's review
2.0
It is a really interesting story, well-researched, etc. but the ending dropped off...
abookishaffair's review
3.0
After Ruth Harkness' husband dies in China while trying to bring back the first live Giant Panda back to the United States, Ruth is pushed to continue his journey. At the time she travels to China (late 1930s), American women are not known for traveling to far off places and they are definitely not known for adventuring, which could be both brutal and dangerous. Ruth is determined to find a live Giant Panda. She eventually succeeds (twice!) and becomes a media darling and really begins to put into place some of the conservation efforts that we know so well here in the States.
I liked this book. Ruth is an unconventional character. She's both a socialite and an explorer in a time when few women were seen as being up to the challenge of adventuring. It was also interesting to see how conservation efforts have changed. Ruth literally carried her baby cubs to America and now there are much more orchestrated efforts for moving and caring for these gorgeous creatures.
The author travels to China at the end of the book with several of Ruth's descendants in order to walk some of the same lands that Ruth walked on, which I thought was very cool and a nice touch. I thought that part was very interesting.
I would recommend this book to all animal lovers.
I give this book 3 out of 5 stars.
I liked this book. Ruth is an unconventional character. She's both a socialite and an explorer in a time when few women were seen as being up to the challenge of adventuring. It was also interesting to see how conservation efforts have changed. Ruth literally carried her baby cubs to America and now there are much more orchestrated efforts for moving and caring for these gorgeous creatures.
The author travels to China at the end of the book with several of Ruth's descendants in order to walk some of the same lands that Ruth walked on, which I thought was very cool and a nice touch. I thought that part was very interesting.
I would recommend this book to all animal lovers.
I give this book 3 out of 5 stars.
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