4.5 🌟 rounded up

It's weird to read such an interesting and adventurous book where you're rooting for all the main characters not just to fail, but fail spectacularly.

This book was fascinating, and I learned a great deal from it. It was a slow-going read for me because I spent a reasonable amount of time googling various animals, plants, and locations mentioned in the book. This isn't a complaint, though. For example, how cool looking are Himalayan Snowball Plants?

I really can't imagine going through the journey that they went on. The guides with the Roosevelt brothers were even more impressive, especially the women.

Recommended for nonfiction readers who enjoy reading about adventurous journeys and pandas. 🐼

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC.

The Beast in the Clouds tells the story of the Kelley-Roosevelt Asiatic Expedition—a 1920s zoological mission to find the elusive giant panda. The tale would be compelling on its own, even without the presence of two Roosevelt descendants, whose involvement adds a surreal twist to an already remarkable story. Holt offers a richly researched account that blends adventure, science, and the unexpected evolution of conservation ethics.
The descriptions of the landscapes and villages the expedition traversed are vivid and evocative, and I appreciated the inclusion of archival photographs, which brought the story to life (I’d love to see a map included too). This was one of the first Western expeditions to this remote part of southeast Asia, and the sense of wonder experienced by some of the expedition members is a joy to read. While there are some uncomfortable moments of cultural insensitivity, Holt does a commendable job of acknowledging and addressing these.
What stood out most for me was how the narrative became not just a story of exploration, but one of personal transformation. The arc of hunters who eventually became advocates for conservation was particularly powerful, showing how firsthand encounters with the natural world can lead to lasting change. For the Roosevelt brothers, the expedition whilst arguably a success, did not necessarily bring the ending they were looking for, and there is a successful commentary on how achieving your heart’s desire is not always the key to happiness and success. I also enjoyed the attention given to figures like Jack Young, the expedition’s translator, and Suydam Cutting, a naturalist—both of whom led interesting lives after the expedition ended.
The book also offers thoughtful insights into the beginnings of panda conservation, tracing how the expedition inadvertently triggered a wave of exploitation that led to a hunting ban—one of the earliest successful efforts to protect a species.
At times, I found the level of detail a little overwhelming in places, and there were occasional narrative tangents which, while interesting, slightly disrupted the flow at times. Still, these are small quibbles in what is otherwise a unique and engaging read. I would recommend The Beast in the Clouds to anyone interested in conservation history, early 20th-century exploration, or the complex paths people take toward protecting the natural world.

Thank you Atria Books @atriabooks Netgalley @netgalley and Nathalia Holt for this free book!
“The Beast in the Clouds: The Roosevelt Brothers’ Deadly Quest to Find the Mythical Giant Panda” by Nathalia Holt⭐️⭐️⭐️Genre: Non Fiction Adventure. Location:The Himalayas. Time: 1928-1929.

In the 1920s, many expeditions searched the Chinese and Tibetan wilderness for the mythical giant panda bear. In 1928, the 2 eldest sons of President Theodore Roosevelt took a team of scientists and naturalists to the Himalayas to find the panda and introduce it to the West, dead or alive. Along the way, they documented a vanishing world and set off a new era of conservation biology. The Roosevelt expedition faced incredible hardships: they disappeared in a blizzard, were attacked by robbers, overcome by sickness and disease, and lost their food supply in the mountains. The explorers emerged transformed, but not everyone survived.

Author Holt’s book is situated in the snowcapped Himalayan mountain range, one of the most treacherous, beautiful, and fragile ecosystems in the world. The Roosevelt brothers’ expedition, with their entitled, misguided sense of destiny, resulted in blunders and moral reckonings. It’s an immersive look into a self-important expedition and the mania of its aftermath. The pacing is a bit uneven, and the plot is a mixture of an adventure story and an historical analysis, making it seem a little disjointed. It’s a book for history lovers who understand that the morals regarding endangered animals was pretty brutal in the Roosevelt brothers’ time. It’s 3 stars from me 📚👩🏼‍🦳#giantpanda #thebeastintheclouds #thebeastintheclouds

I was disappointed by this book, but that was mainly due to my expectations rather than the author's lack of talent.

It is well-written and well-researched, but it reads like an adventure book from the beginning of the 20th century. There is no commentary or grounding in the present, apart from the epilogue. I much prefer when an author retraces the steps of bygone explorers and offers a broader perspective. Without this, I couldn't bear reading about the cruelty and lack of understanding shown by the characters in the book.

Also, my inner fact-checker was bothered by all the reconstructed dialogue and descriptions of these people's thoughts and feelings. I understand that it makes the story more engaging, but it's impossible to know exactly what happened during the trip, even with the best research.

Thanks to the publisher, Atria Books, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

The Beast in the Clouds is a fascinating blend of adventure, history, and science, chronicling a little-known chapter in the lives of the Roosevelt brothers—Theodore Jr. and Kermit—on their ambitious and dangerous 1920s expedition to China in search of the mythical giant panda. Nathalia Holt brings a sharp eye to the historical detail, placing this journey in the broader context of Western imperialism, scientific exploration, and family legacy.

The book shines when it digs into the Roosevelt family dynamic, particularly the pressure the brothers felt to live up to their father’s name. Their psychological struggles, especially Kermit's lifelong battle with depression, are handled with nuance. Holt also gives us a vivid portrait of the expedition itself, from treacherous mountains to cultural misunderstandings, and paints a complex picture of China at a moment of political upheaval.

That said, the pacing occasionally lags, particularly in the midsection, and the book sometimes feels torn between being an adventure story and a historical analysis. I also would have appreciated more in-depth coverage of the ecological and zoological significance of the panda, beyond its role as a symbol or trophy.

Still, Holt’s research is impeccable, and her prose is accessible and often poetic. This is a compelling story about obsession, legacy, and the fine line between scientific curiosity and colonial arrogance. A great read for fans of narrative nonfiction and those curious about forgotten corners of exploration history.

Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. It will be published on July 1, 2025.

This was a really well written historical nonfiction book, it had that feel that I was looking for and thought worked in telling a interesting story. Nathalia Holt was able to weave a strong tale and had that research element that I was looking for and enjoyed getting into this piece of history.

I found this book absolutely fascinating. I felt completely immersed in the brutal beauty of the Himalayas and the incredible challenges faced by the Roosevelt expedition. I appreciated how the author brought history to life with vivid descriptions and gripping storytelling—I could feel the danger and desperation in every twist and turn. I loved learning about the search for the panda bear and how it tied into larger themes of exploration, survival, and conservation. I was surprised by how much I didn’t know about this historical journey, and I felt like I walked away with a newfound appreciation for both the natural world and the perseverance of those early explorers. The pacing kept me engaged, and I found myself eager to turn each page. By the end, I felt completely satisfied with the journey this book took me on.

The blend of adventure, science, and history made for a compelling read, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys nonfiction that reads like a thrilling story.

4.5 Stars. Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC by Nathalia Holt. This brilliant book can be described as a nature, history, and adventure story, featuring a search for the elusive panda bear. Many considered the panda to be mythical and doubted its existence. A small team of scientists and naturalists were sent by the Chicago Field Museum of Natural History to collect specimens and hopefully find a panda. Included with the team were Ted and Kermit Roosevelt, sons of the former President and explorer, Theodore Roosevelt. They were little prepared for this type of journey. They travelled on foot from 1928 to 1929, taking them over rough and treacherous terrain from Tibet into Western China.

I was conflicted about whether to give this book by Nathalia Holt a four- or five-star rating. I found the content disturbing and hoped the search team would meet with complete failure.
The author's research was meticulous, and the writing was engaging. There was the twisted theory that killing birds and animals and having them stuffed and exhibited would somehow save them from extinction or at least benefit the species. Killing animals to preserve them for scientific study was encouraged. I did not understand the reasoning behind this belief. The story contained many tangents, such as describing the plant life and discussing the cultures and religions of little-known tribal people encountered on their hike, but these detours were fascinating. In these isolated areas, the people denied ever seeing a panda and could not direct them to its habitat.

As they trudged through the rough, rugged terrain, they became discouraged and depressed. Ted and Kermit became dirty, bedraggled, and despaired of seeing a panda. Dozens of previous search parties had failed. Their interpreter, Jack, was of Chinese/ American descent and knew Chinese and other languages, but could not be understood by many remote tribes. There were vast differences within the tribes. For example, the group hired strong, liberated women from one community as porters. These women had several husbands. When bandits appeared, these women attacked them, driving them away with heavy sticks. In a nearby group, the women had their feet broken and bound, making it painful to walk outside their homes.

The search team were impatient and expelled one naturalist, Herbert, from their group for being slow in examining plant and insect specimens, and slowing them down. The explorers encountered altitude sickness, gastro issues, malaria, snow blizzards, heat, death, glacier crossings, dehydration, the loss of their food supply, and pack mules wandering away.

After five months of strenuous walking, they had collected 5,000 bird skins, 2,000 bodies of small mammals, 40 large animal hides (the sambur, serow, and golden monkeys), and 19 new species. However, no panda had been sighted, much to everyone's disappointment. Little was known about pandas, and even their existence was doubtful. Because part of their coat was white, they expected it to have the ferocious nature of the polar bear and to be carnivorous. We now know the panda is a gentle, docile creature, feeding on bamboo stalks.

When they finally spotted a panda, it was unpleasant to read about what had happened. The explorers returned home in triumph and were regarded as heroes. Hunters now planned to go to China and shoot the pandas for big game trophies. For Ted and Kermit, their ordeal had life-altering consequences. It was fascinating to read about their lives after their return, and to find out what happened to Jack, their knowledgeable guide, and to Herbert, the man they left behind on the trail.

China learned what a treasure they had in the panda and embarked on a major conservation effort. Reserves to protect and breed pandas were established, and their status improved from endangered to vulnerable. I was thrilled to have seen and photographed pandas among the bamboo in a reserve in Chengdu, and I hope laws are passed to protect all endangered animals. This was a book I will never forget. Publication on July 01/2025.

What a great non-fiction book! The writing style was very comfortable and enjoyable for non-fiction and the content was extremely engaging. I learned so many things about the giant panda, and how it came to be a part of our zoos, and even our culture. Who knew? While I enjoyed reading about all the turmoil, troubles, and trauma that men went through in the name of science, I am thankful that I only experienced it in a book. It was a bit sad that so many animals were killed just to be studied and learned about, and I hope it was worthwhile in the end and saved some of the varied species. I would highly recommend this book to everyone, whether you are a fan of non-fiction or not, it is well worth the Read. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance read copy.

The Roosevelts were blinded by their position in society…even having a famous father could not save them here, or even open their eyes to their considerable vulnerabilities…they had no idea what they were getting into from The Beast in the Clouds by Nathalia Holt

Fifteen years after Ted and Kermit Roosevelt and their dad Teddy went on a disastrous expedition to seek the source of The River of Doubt, destroying Teddy’s health, the sons mounted an expedition to cross China and Tibet in search of a legendary black and white bear.

With the backing of a wealthy donor, the sons planned to obtain a panda skin for the Chicago Field Museum. They and their team were not exactly qualified, and were definitely not prepared for hiking the Himalayas, plus had no idea of the panda’s habitat. Adding to the danger, China was in a civil war–and not all the local tribes were friendly–and there were roving bands of thieves–and there was the usual threat of disease, yellow fever and malaria.

They may have been sons of one of the most famous men in the Western world, but on the trail they were merely dirty, bedraggled, over-their-head Westerners. They were lucky to be accepted at lamaseries and local chieftains along the way.

Exposed to the elements, frigid cold and snow and ice, and experiencing altitude sickness, they endured the greatest pain of their lives.

They also saw beautiful flowers and colorful birds, Golden monkeys, fields of poppies, and abundant Rhododendron.

I love that Kermit brought his Jane Austen books along.

The brothers did shoot a panda and skin it and bring it to the museum where it can be seen today. With their return, Pandamania spread across the United States.

Pandas remain one of the rarest species in the wild.

A page-turner of a book for lovers of adventure.

Thanks to the publisher for a free book through NetGalley.

This was engrossing, not like a typical dry/boring nonfiction historical book. It reads like an adventure novel and nature documentary, following Theodore Roosevelt's sons, Ted Jr. and Kermit, on their quest to China to find the "mythical" giant panda. At that point in history, the panda indeed seemed mythical. Only one panda pelt had made it out of China and many expeditions to try to find the animal had failed, leading scientists around the world to believe the creature didn't exist. Ted and Kermit, funded by the Field Museum in Chicago, embarked on a quest through mountains, dangerous conditions, and war-torn China to find the elusive creature. I loved reading about their adventures and close calls, while also learning about how conservationism was developing back then. Back then, hunting and killing animals to preserve them for scientific study was widely accepted. The quest almost kills them, and certainly forever changes their lives. There are so many beautiful descriptions of the geography, flora, and fauna of that region in this book, it really feels like you're there alongside Ted and Kermit. This author did a great job of digging deeper into their personal feelings, while not shying away from criticizing Ted and Kermit for their ignorant beliefs with respect to the Chinese and Tibetan people, hunting and nature. Both men are forced to wrestle with the consequences of their quest during their travails and afterward.

I have never wanted the main characters of a book to fail as much as I did with The Beast in the Clouds by Nathalia Holt. You see, this book follows the journey of Teddy Roosevelt's sons as they hunt the elusive...(checks notes)...panda?! Yes, the friendly, sweet, and docile panda bear. Literally the nicest type of bear (yes, even according to science and not just my personal feelings). Did you know that there is no documented evidence of a panda killing a human? However, based on how we have treated pandas, maybe they should be more like polar bears who just love killing humans. I digress!

Holt tells a very lean story unlike the subject of the book (panda zinger for you). I love adventure books, but for some readers, they find the beginning of these books to be a bit tedious with their stories of how the expeditions come together and the minutiae of the planning. I love that stuff, but I get it. Holt wastes no time. The book opens with the players already on the trail and it never slows down. I hesitate to reveal too much. This book can be more in the vein of Heart of Darkness than a traditional story of an arduous scientific expedition. I very much enjoyed not knowing where Holt was going with the characters and I'll leave it at that.

This is one of those narratives that will stick with you once it's over. It is succinct for a history book, but it is not short on impact at all. A must read.

(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Atria Books.)

This turned out to be quite fascinating on multiple different levels. First and foremost is the general plot itself - the sons of Theodore Roosevelt going off on an expedition into Western China to find evidence of the giant panda in an era where that animal’s very existence was in doubt by many. That sentence sounds like too much to be true at first glance, but it was in fact a real event, and here it is being brought to our attention in detail.

However, author Nathalia Holt however very successfully takes things several further from there. The narrative goes on numerous little detours to go into a little more depth on a far-spanning range of related topics, including flora and fauna of the Himalayas and little bits of culture and history of the various peoples living in the corner of the globe that the Roosevelt brothers trekked about in. And each one of said little detours not only proved to be quite interesting in their own right, but several times my curiosity was so piqued that I paused my reading to look up a little more about them.

Also, from the very start of the book the brothers Kermit and Theodore Jr. (referred to as Ted by Holt), are treated like anything but bold explorers going out on an adventure with nothing but their own brit and determination. Instead, they’re treated as the complex human beings they are, complete with their own personal flaws and struggles (including trying to live in the massive shadow cast by their father). As part of this, the fact that they did not complete this expedition in a vacuum is emphasized from the get-go, and Holt spends a great deal of time paying attention and highlighting the work of all those women and men who made the Roosevelts journey possible. In other words - the approach taken to the brothers is anything but hagiographic, and all the care taken to include all of the detailed realities of the lives of these men and those in their orbit frankly made for far more interesting reading than the alternative.

Combine all the aforementioned with the heavy themes of conservation threaded through the whole book, and the end result is a informatively juicy nonfiction read - and one that will go by far quicker than one may expect. Or at least, such was my own personal case, writing as someone who found it hard to put down “The Beast in the Clouds” for very long.

This book could almost be seen as a sequel to Candace Millard's "River of Doubt". Told in the same thrilling narrative while deeply researched and having the perspective to focus both on the venture to find the panda but also the after effects. Ms. Holt does an excellent job of making us feel like we are on the trail with Ted and Kermit and their entry into the border of China and Tibet. Humanizing and carefully written, this book is a triumph of adventure storytelling that also focuses on the present and future of the people and animals the expedition came into contact with.