Member Reviews

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  • Rated 4 stars

  “I would give this 3.5 stars if I could. The first half to two-thirds of the book deserves 4 stars, but the last third loses it's tempo. Although it also mimics the mood of the explorer. It gave great insight into exploration as the world went from museum taxidermy to zoos to wildlife refuge. I also enjoyed the insight into life in China outside of textbook Ming dynasty, etc... I gave me a refreshed perspective on politics in the region.”

  Deb M wrote this review Saturday, September 27 2008. ( reply | permalink )
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  • Rated 4 stars

  “This story takes place during the 1930s and is about Ruth Harkness and her pursuit to bring back a Giant Panda from China. This was the dream of Ruth and her husband. He was in China in search of a Panda when he died from cancer. Harkness took over the expedition where her husband left off. She was an incredibly strong woman...especially for her time. Ruth was also very creative in her thinking and able to get through some of the red tape that other explorers got caught up in.
  
  The book also outlines some of the history of China at the time the story took place. I found that interesting as I don't know much about the history of China.
  
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  Michelle H wrote this review Thursday, July 10 2008. ( reply | permalink )
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  • Rated 0 stars

  “My Grandma got this book for me because of my love for pandas!!! It's about a woman (Ruth Harkness) who, in the 1930's, ventured on her own across the world to China into the backcountry to bring the first live Giant Panda to America. Great read!”

  Lisa L wrote this review Sunday, February 24 2008. ( reply | permalink )
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  • Rated 0 stars

  “Such a great story about a remarkable woman - she put together a crew, traveled across the world from NYC to China, hiked through the Chinese countryside, and eventually freed a panda bear...single-handedly. Simply amazing.”

  Kelly S wrote this review Sunday, December 2 2007. ( reply | permalink )
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  • Rated 4 stars

  “4.5 stars. An easy and enjoyable read about events and people that captured the world's attention not even 100 years ago and are all but forgotten by people today. Ruth Harkness' story is inspiring, amazing and tragic. The world described in this book, for better and for worse, no longer exists. Highly recommended.”

  librarianwho wrote this review Thursday, September 20 2007. ( reply | permalink )