The Beast in the Clouds: The Roosevelt Brothers’ Deadly Quest To Find the Mythical Giant Panda

Holt (Wise Gals) aptly describes the perils undertaken by the oldest sons of Theodore Roosevelt—Ted Jr. and Kermit—as they chased the giant panda. After taking part in his father’s 1914 Amazon expedition, Kermit and his older brother Ted Jr. went on a 1929 expedition. Both brothers were determined to find the mythical Beishung giant panda and other specimens for the Field Museum in Chicago. However, Holt’s exciting narrative intimates that the men may have had additional motives. They lived in the shadow of their famous, recently deceased father, and both were eager to prove their worth. Apart from a few lighthearted moments and warm stays at lamaseries, their journey was perilous. Political tensions and local bandits made the brothers’ travels through Tibet and China treacherous. Even more dangerous, however, were the natural elements. Both men nearly died of altitude sickness. While the party did collect valuable specimens, their perspectives soon shifted. Holt creates a thrilling narrative filled with narrow escapes, yet she also tenderly explicates the brothers’ about-face concerning pandas.