The Beast in the Clouds is a very interesting and exciting story of the 1929 quest of Ted and Kermit Roosevelt to find the almost mythical creature ofThe Beast in the Clouds is a very interesting and exciting story of the 1929 quest of Ted and Kermit Roosevelt to find the almost mythical creature of China, the great panda. Both had experience as explorers and hunters in the past in Africa, and, perhaps most notably, Kermit on the nearly deadly expedition to the Amazon with his father, the former President. Now the father they both loved and admired was gone and they had their own goal to find an animal that no Westerner had ever seen.
Nathalia Holt combines biography, useful details of history of the countries involved (as well as provinces within China), culture of the various peoples the expedition encountered, and knowledge of nature and environment to enhance the story of the trek across China into the Himalayas, bordering Tibet. Excerpts from the brothers’ field notes are included as well as notes of other members of the group. The story and action moves briskly in a book that rewards readers with information and insights. This is a fascinating tale of a long ago world when much of the earth’s surface was still unknown and true exploration still existed with all its dangers and rewards. All of this in a relatively compact package for a history text.
Highly recommended for history and adventure lovers.
Thanks to Atria and NetGalley for an early copy of this book....more
When the Covid pandemic resulted in a lockdown in Britain, Chloe Dalton, a political advisor and frequent international traveler, decided to leave herWhen the Covid pandemic resulted in a lockdown in Britain, Chloe Dalton, a political advisor and frequent international traveler, decided to leave her place in London and go to the farm she had in the country, nothing fancy but a place she vacationed. Little did she know that this was to be a life altering experience in unexpected ways.
One day, while walking near her home, she happened upon a very small animal that appeared to be a hare, a baby hare, alone. Concerned about this susceptible creature, but also wary of interfering in a wild animal’s life, she waited to see if the mother would return. When she didn’t, Dalton’s adventure began and the seed of this delightful, insightful, often profound memoir was born.
The beauty of this book is watching as Dalton begins her experience of aiding a hare’s survival while trying not to interfere with its life as a hare. She uses instinct, book learning, the local vet. Instinct often seems the best. Her thoughts on coexistence of species continue to develop over time.
I highly recommend this book for its capture of the lives of the author and hare in an unusual co-existence, the descriptions of the natural world around Dalton’s farm, the life and activities of hares. I had no idea about hares!
Thanks to the author, NetGalley, and Pantheon for an eARC of this book. This review is my own....more
In January of 1842, Charles Dickens came to the United States with his wife and a small contingent to tour through the settled areas, some of eastern In January of 1842, Charles Dickens came to the United States with his wife and a small contingent to tour through the settled areas, some of eastern Canada and gather a picture of his American public. In return he wrote this book, a piece of travel writing, with diversions into areas of his personal interest such as prison systems and the rehabilitation of prisoners, the seemingly out of control habit of spitting among American males (and their neglect of using spittoons). Beyond that he considers the variety of hotels or boarding houses from Boston to Washington, from Cincinnati to the edge of the prairie, the various boats and carriages involved in his transport, the state (or lack of state) of roads, etc. Some conversation is serious while others appear to be firmly tongue in cheek though based in fact. His encounter with slavery in Baltimore and Washington D.C.resulted in his not venturing as far south as he had intended, as far the Carolinas.
While most of this book is written in a utilitarian way, there are sections where the prose comes alive and the novelist becomes apparent. The champion of the underdog can be seen in Dickens’ various discussions of the prisons he toured, the conditions he found, the prisoners he met. There are also sections of purely Dickensonian humor. A must read is the description of the ship boarding in England, in fact most of the boats and vehicles he used everywhere during his travels.
An appendix written in 1868, after a later trip to the U.S. attempts to offset the negative reception that followed his first. He states that it will be affixed to all future editions of the book. In it he states his increased admiration for the country and its people and society.
Another appendix deals with some other serious concerns from his 1842 visit, the treatment of slaves and free blacks in the new country and the amount of violence among the men, using weapons freely to solve arguments.
Anyone who wants to know Dickens should read this work....more
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