Please note: In order to keep Hive up to date and provide users with the best features, we are no longer able to fully support Internet Explorer. The site is still available to you, however some sections of the site may appear broken. We would encourage you to move to a more modern browser like Firefox, Edge or Chrome in order to experience the site fully.

Supporting your high street Find out how »
Savage Harvest : A Tale of Cannibals, Colonialism, and Michael Rockefeller's Tragic Quest, Paperback / softback Book

Savage Harvest : A Tale of Cannibals, Colonialism, and Michael Rockefeller's Tragic Quest Paperback / softback

Paperback / softback

Less than 10 available - usually despatched within 24 hours

Description

On November 21, 1961, Michael C. Rockefeller, the twenty-three-year-old son of New York governor Nelson Rockefeller, vanished off the coast of southwest New Guinea when his boat capsized.

He was on a collecting expedition for the Museum of Primitive Art, and his partner-who stayed with the boat and was later rescued-shared Michael's final words as he swam for help: "I think I can make it." Despite exhaustive searches, no trace of Michael was ever found.

Soon after his disappearance, rumors surfaced that he'd made it to shore, where he was then killed and eaten by the local Asmat-a native tribe of warriors whose complex culture was built around sacred, reciprocal violence, headhunting, and ritual cannibalism.

The Dutch government and the Rockefeller family vehemently denied the story, and Michael's death was officially ruled a drowning.

But doubts lingered and sensational stories circulated, fueling speculation and intrigue for decades.

Now, award-winning journalist Carl Hoffman reveals startling new evidence that finally tells the full, astonishing story. Retracing Michael's steps, Hoffman traveled to the jungles of New Guinea, immersing himself in a world of former headhunters and cannibals, secret spirits and customs, and getting to know generations of Asmat.

Through exhaustive archival research, he uncovered hundreds of pages of never-before-seen original documents and located witnesses willing to speak publicly for the first time in fifty years.

Savage Harvest is at once 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.

Information

Other Formats

Save 2%

£9.99

£9.75

Less than 10 available - usually despatched within 24 hours
Add to Basket
Sign in to add to wishlist
 
Free Home Delivery

on all orders

 
Pick up orders

from local bookshops

Information