The Roosevelt Brothers' Panda Hunt

Rise of the Rocket Girls tells the story of the women who worked as 'human computers' at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the 1940s and 50s. These women, with their mathematical prowess, contributed significantly to rocket design and space missions, breaking gender barriers in STEM fields. The book explores their professional achievements and personal lives, highlighting their contributions to the success of early space exploration.

Nathalia Holt's 'The Beast in the Clouds' chronicles the 1928 expedition of Teddy Roosevelt's sons to find the giant panda, set against a backdrop of personal and professional failures. The book explores the birth of conservation biology, detailing how scientific thinking shifted from hunting to protecting endangered species. It portrays the Roosevelt brothers' journey as both a quest for redemption and a source of deep remorse due to its unintended consequences. Holt also sheds light on the civil war in China and its impact on the expedition, highlighting the clash between Western exploration and Chinese nationalism. Ultimately, the book emphasizes the importance of conservation and the need to protect diverse ecosystems, urging readers to learn from past mistakes.