Author Carl Hoffman Returns to New Bedford With Chilling Story

Renowned author Carl Hoffman talked about his award-winning books and his life as an author this week on Townsquare Sunday. He will return to New Bedford several more times before headlining Spinner Publications' Author Series on June 24 at the Wamsutta Club.

Hoffman's long-form, nonfiction books include Lunatic Express, proclaimed one of the 10 best books of the year by the Wall Street Journal, and Savage Harvest: A Tale of Cannibals, Colonialism, and Michael Rockefeller's Tragic Quest for Primitive Art.

Hoffman's appearance in June will be about Savage Harvest; his research and investigation, and what happened to Rockefeller.

The Story Behind Savage Harvest

"Savage Harvest is a crazy tale, in and of itself," Hoffman said. It's the story of Michael Rockefeller, son of former New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller, who heard about so-called tribal art being created by Asmat people in Papua New Guinea. While searching for the tribe and its art, Michael Rockefeller disappeared in 1961.

Some 50 years later, Hoffman set out to do research for a book, making two trips of two months each to Papua New Guinea (now part of Indonesia), living in villages there and beginning to piece together the story.

Get our free mobile app

The Mystery of Michael Rockefeller

"Rockefeller was killed by the Asmat people," Hoffman said. "The question is why? It's a fascinating story but it speaks to much larger things: the end of colonialism, U.S. foreign policy in Indonesia, and this complex tribe that was so profoundly different from our own way of living."

Tickets for his speaking engagement on June 24 are available through Eventbrite or by calling Spinner Publications at (508) 994-4564.

Researching New Bedford’s Fishing Industry

Hoffman is spending a lot of time in New Bedford because he is writing a book about the city and commercial fishing. He recently returned from a trip aboard a New Bedford scallop vessel, and has made four other trips doing research for the book.

"It's an amazing experience and incredible privilege to go out on these boats," Hoffman said. "There is nowhere on earth that's more beautiful as the ocean, but there's also no place more terrifying than the ocean."

"Men going out to sea in ships has been happening here for a long time, so my book is looking at that, and I think what sets it somewhat apart is that I'm going out on these trips," he said. Hoffman said the book will be published in late 2027.

If you would like your nonprofit featured on Townsquare Sunday, please email the host at jim.phillips@townsquaremedia.com.