American History Hit The Roosevelt Brothers' Panda Hunt
18 snips
Jul 28, 2025 
Nathalia Holt, historian and author of 'The Beast in the Clouds,' discusses the captivating and perilous 1928 expedition of Teddy Roosevelt's sons, Ted Jr. and Kermit, who sought the mythical giant panda in China. She highlights how their adventurous journey was shaped by their father's legacy and the personal challenges they faced. Key moments include their transformative encounters with local guides in Muli and the ethical shift that led them to embrace wildlife conservation after grappling with the consequences of their quest.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Roosevelt Brothers’ Quest for Identity
- Ted and Kermit Roosevelt used their expedition to find themselves and prove their worth beyond their father's shadow.
- The trip was a way to overcome personal and professional low points by embracing their father's adventurous spirit.
Panda: Last Unknown Large Mammal
- The giant panda was the last large mammal unknown to science in the early 20th century.
- Scientists had very limited knowledge about the panda, only possessing pelts without any skeletal or habitat data.
Expedition Team Dynamics
- The expedition was small and included Ted, Kermit, a naturalist, a British biologist, and a multilingual interpreter.
- Tai Jack Young, the interpreter, was a young man from NYU with Chinese and American heritage who became lifelong friends with the Roosevelts.
