by Carl Hoffman
First published 2018
Carl Hoffman investigates the mysterious fate of two Western adventurers who ventured deep into Borneo's rainforests. Bruno Manser, a Swiss traveler, joined the Penan tribe in 1984 and became their champion against logging companies destroying their homeland. His activism made him an international environmental hero but also an enemy of the state. After escaping capture twice, the psychological pressure mounted until he vanished without trace in 2000. Michael Palmieri took a different path. The American draft dodger settled in Bali and built a lucrative business collecting sacred Dayak artifacts for museums and wealthy collectors. Hoffman travels the same jungle paths both men walked, guided by Penan tribespeople and Palmieri himself. He interviews Manser's family and examines private letters and journals. The investigation reveals how both men pursued the sacred traditions of indigenous peoples, though their methods differed dramatically. The book explores whether Palmieri preserved or exploited native culture, and whether Manser became martyr, madman, or hermit.
Genres: biography, history, adventure, environment, non-fiction
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Bali, Borneo, Switzerland
Period: 1984, 2000
370 pages · Kindle Edition · Mariner Books