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A review by joabroda
The Lady and the Panda: The True Adventures of the First American Explorer to Bring Back China's Most Exotic Animal by Vicki Constantine Croke
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.