Chasing the Panda: How an unlikely pair of adventurers won the race to capture the mythical "white bear"

By Michael Kiefer

Book Overview

In 1936, Quentin Young, a 22-year-old Chinese American, led American socialite Ruth Harkness on a 1,500-mile expedition into the remote mountains of Sichuan. Braving warlords and primitive tribes, the duo captured a giant panda and brought it back alive, the first time a live panda had been seen by the Western world. Hunters and scientists assumed the pair had stolen the animal. When it became clear the find was genuine, Ruth Harkness became a celebrity. But Quentin Young, together with his brother and fellow guide, Jack, was swept into the chaos of World War II and became a spy. A few years ago, Michael Kiefer discovered Quentin, now elderly and living in the United States. The resulting book sets the record straight. "The public first became enchanted with pandas in 1936 when Ruth Harkness brought an infant to the United States. In this fascinating and compelling account, Michael Kiefer relates in unique detail the intriguing background to this even which two Chinese-American naturalists made possible. This book is a valuable historical contribution as well as a rousing tale of adventure." --George B. Schaller, author of The Last Panda "...a fascinating account of brotherly antagonism and the complexities of Chinese-American life in the twentieth century." --Times Literary Supplement, London "Readers interested in either this or the more traditional kind of endangered species will enjoy this well-researched, nuanced tale." --Publishers Weekly "...an exciting account of an unlikely expedition. --Booklist "... a truly rollicking tale of adventure, romance, jealousy and mystery that recounts the days of Great White Hunters in the first half of the 20th century." --United Press International

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 146819609X
• ISBN13: 9781468196092
• Release Date: January 2012
• Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 238 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Panda-monium!!!

If you are one of the many who has been smitten by our Baby Panda, Tia Shan, at the National Zoo in DC, and have read The Lady and the Panda, by V. Croke, or Ruth Harkness, here is a book that is a must read. Mrs. Harkness would have never been able to get the first panda to the US without help from the Young brothers, Quentin and Jack. Mr. Kiefer spent years speaking w/them, and they provide information and perspective that helps give more life & detail to very important characters that didn't get the recgonition they surely deserved. Great photo's wish there were more.

The authentic narrative of Ruth Harkness and panda

Though a movie and a new book have been based on the story of Ruth Harkness, Quentin Young and the expedition to find the first panda have appeared recently, both were inspired by Michael Kiefer's book, which is the real McCoy. Originally commissioned as a piece for the New Yorker, the manuscript was ultimately published as this book. In the meantime, Kiefer's exciting story based on his unique access to one of the principals, Quentin Young,inspired the other two projects. The film, the name of which I forget, twisted the story into total fiction, and the latest book is derived in large part from this one. So if you want to read a well-written great escape of an adventure story set in the context of place, politics,and history and with the imprimateur of George B.Schaller himself, Michael Kiefer's " Chasing the Panda: How an unlikely pair of adventurers won the race to capture the mythical white bear" is the one to read. The photographs from Quentin Young's archives are awesome, beautiful, and illuminate the lost world or the patrician Chinese of the day, as well as the expedition itself.

Interesting read

Although not exactly what I was expecting, this book was in interesting read about the Chinese naturalists and their involvement in how the West first came to know the giant panda. This book detailed many historical facts about how Western naturalists, with the aid of a couple of Chinese, moved through China and collected many specimens for display in the US. I recommend it to anyone who has a deep interest in the giant panda and the history behind our current love affair with these black and white bears.

An Eclectic Escape, and in Non-Fiction

Kiefer provides an eclectic escape that covers nature, people, politics and history...and all within the confines of a true tale! I will never gawk at those cute bears the same way again, knowing the story of their "discovery" and what that story tells us of the specific times--and the general nature of people. The read is "light," yet one learns a bit along the way. This is my version of a nearly perfect summer read. A romantic "novel" for thinking persons.