Savage Harvest: A Tale of Cannibals, Colonialism, and Michael Rockefeller's Tragic Quest for Primitive Art
by Carl Hoffmann
Author website:
carlhoffman.com
The mysterious disappearance of Michael Rockefeller in New Guinea in 1961 has kept the world and his powerful, influential family guessing for years. Now, Carl Hoffman uncovers startling new evidence that finally tells the full, astonishing story.
Despite exhaustive searches, no trace of Rockefeller was ever found. Soon after his disappearance, rumors surfaced that he'd been killed and ceremonially eaten by the local Asmat—a native tribe of warriors whose complex culture was built around sacred, reciprocal violence, head hunting, and ritual cannibalism. The Dutch government and the Rockefeller family denied the story, and Michael's death was officially ruled a drowning. Yet doubts lingered. Sensational rumors and stories circulated, fueling speculation and intrigue for decades. The real story has long waited to be told—until now.
Retracing Rockefeller's steps, award-winning journalist Carl Hoffman traveled to the jungles of New Guinea, immersing himself in a world of headhunters and cannibals, secret spirits and customs, and getting to know generations of Asmat. Through exhaustive archival research, he uncovered never-before-seen original documents and located witnesses willing to speak publically after fifty years.
In Savage Harvest he finally solves this decades-old mystery and illuminates a culture transformed by years of colonial rule, whose people continue to be shaped by ancient customs and lore. Combining history, art, colonialism, adventure, and ethnography, Savage Harvest is a mesmerizing whodunit, and a fascinating portrait of the clash between two civilizations that resulted in the death of one of America's richest and most powerful scions.
Discussion Starters:
What do you think about Hoffman's presentation of Asmat culture, is the Asmat
voice missing from the book?
2. Why did the author start the book the way
that he did?
3. Why are the Asmat frightened to talk about
cannibalism?
4. Is this a book about cannibalism, or is
cannibalism just the hook?
5. Is this story a metaphor for World
Colonialism, is that accurate?
6. Why would the Rockefellers’ want to end the
search and discover what happened to their son?
7. Has a change occurred to the author when he
returns for the second time?
8. Did they kill Rockefeller, does it
matter?
9. If this is a book about cultural
differences can a discussion be had about cannibalism in Asmat and slavery in
the Americas?
1 How could you use this in your classroom?
I found this book interesting, once I got past the "hokey" beginning "thoughts" of Rockefeller as he floated on his back. I do have to admit that the description of gutting and processing the body for meat was disturbing to say the least. As an Anthropology minor, I was very interested in the culture of the Asmat and even did some googling to find out more.
ReplyDeleteWhile I acknowledge that Hoffmann did research and I even agree that this is probably the end that Rockefeller met, I do think that he (Hoffmann) told a little too much of "his" story. Hoffmann interjected opinions and view points that were biased towards his own thoughts and opinions of both Michael Rockefeller and his family. I'm not sure that contributed very much to the book over all.
This book is an excellent example of how governments coverup horrible events...something that clearly still goes on today. Perhaps this is how it would be relevant in a classroom? I can see this text being referenced in a history class for sure, but I am struggling to see how I would use it in English IV.