Henry's latest book The Way of the Panda: The Curious History of China's Political Animal is published by Profile Books.
"Charmingly written. Those of us who...can't help finding pandas comical will delight in the author's richly diverting side tours as we accompany him on the panda path," Judith Martin, Wall Street Journal
"An excellent storyteller and an accomplished narrative stylist is just what’s needed for an ambitious and engaging story that also covers substantial history and science as well as the data to back them up," Gary Verstick, Asian Review of Books
"Fascinating reading for anyone with an interest not only in pandas but also China, modern history, the environment and conservation in general," Corinne Attwood, Regency Magazine
"This accessibly written book manages to weave together science, politics, conservation, and the interactions of a rising China with the rest of the world," Publishers Weekly.
"A fascinating story of an extraordinary animal," Desmond Morris
"Henry
Nicholls expertly charts the panda's decades of fame and binds together
many intriguing facets of 150 years of Sino-Western interaction," Daily Mail
"The book reads somewhat like
Gone With the Wind, with the sweeping events of Chinese history in the
background and pandas playing the roles of Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett
Butler," David Pilling, Financial Times
"Nicholls
has written an engaging popular science narrative of the panda's
discovery...cleverly interwoven with its symbolic role and significance
for wildlife conservation, as well as with the politics of the period," Morning Star
"The
panda has a fascinating history that Nicholls has superbly documented
for your reading pleasure...It is, he writes, 'a super history, just a
really good yarn'. Such a claim could have backfired, raising
expectations that might not have been met, but his confidence is not
misplaced. The story is indeed fascinating, and Nicholls tells it with
tremendous verve. More than 'just a really good yarn', this is
narrative nonfiction at its best." Ian Critchley, The Sunday Times
"Fascinating...An interesting story, capably told," That's Shanghai
"Thoroughly readable ... sheds valuable light on a mysterious and often misunderstood creature," BBC Wildlife Magazine
"I recommend you read this engaging book," Stephanie Pain, New Scientist
"An
insightful and meticulously researched history of the animal
universally recognised since its threatened status made it a symbol of
the World Wildlife Fund’s conservation agenda," Fintan Enright, Irish Examiner
"A timely publication given China's emerging prominence," thebookbag.com
"An enthralling study of one of the world's most popular animals. A hugely enjoyable read that will surely delight any animal enthusiast, particularly fans of the panda," Jane Dawson, Yorkshire Evening Post
"A riveting story... Nicholls's engaging narrative is filled with fascinating contradictions," Daniel Hahn, The Guardian
"In his story he takes us through the upheavals of Chinese politics in the late 19th and 20th centuries as well as the growing biological understanding of this solitary and remote animal... a fascinating story well told that reminds us of the place that animals should have in our reassessments of the past and of the new perspective that such animal histories might give us," Erica Fudge, History Today