The Memory Palace is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX, a curated network of extraordinary, story-driven shows. Learn more at radiotopia.fm)
Notes and Reading: * I came to this story the old fashioned way (for me): I saw Su Lin at the Field Museum and needed to know more. That led me inevitably to Vicki Croke’s The Lady and the Panda) from 2006. It’s a terrific read. If you have any interest at all in learning more about Ruth Harkness, that’s the place to go. I’ve got a few quibbles here and there, but, for real, it’s delightful. * Quentin Young’s (slightly strange and contested) version of events is told inChasing the Panda) by Michael Kiefer. * If you’ve got a few hundred bucks (or a library with more liberal lending policies with old books than mine), why not read Ruth’s own book, The Baby Giant Panda)? * If you’re interested in zoos writ large, I’m a fan of Animal Attractions: Nature on Display in American Zoos) by Elizabeth Hansen.
Music: * We start with Hush-Maker) by Moon Ate the Dark. * Roll on with Freudian Slippers) by Chilly Gonzales. * Hear Bibio’s Cherry Blossom Road) a couple of times. * Hit up Nice Dream) by radio.string.quartet.vienna * Hear Don Redman and his Orchestra play Blue Eyed Baby from Memphis). * The centerpiece of the middle section is Snow Again) by Lambert. * We hear a couple of pieces by Dan Romer: An Old Fashioned Man) and End of the World). * We finish up on Lullatone’s Falling Asleep With a Book on Your Chest).