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Book Reviews of The Lady and the Panda : The True Adventures of the First American Explorer to Bring Back China's Most Exotic Animal

The Lady and the Panda : The True Adventures of the First American Explorer to Bring Back China's Most Exotic Animal
The Lady and the Panda The True Adventures of the First American Explorer to Bring Back China's Most Exotic Animal
Author: Vicki Croke
ISBN-13: 9780375507830
ISBN-10: 0375507833
Publication Date: 7/5/2005
Pages: 400
Rating:
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 9

3.9 stars, based on 9 ratings
Publisher: Random House
Book Type: Hardcover
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

3 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

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!
buzzby avatar reviewed The Lady and the Panda : The True Adventures of the First American Explorer to Bring Back China's Most Exotic Animal on + 6062 more book reviews
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.
buzzby avatar reviewed The Lady and the Panda : The True Adventures of the First American Explorer to Bring Back China's Most Exotic Animal on + 6062 more book reviews
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).