Shipley Students to Lead Discussion with Journalist and New York Times Bestselling Author Carl Hoffman at October 30 Event

The Shipley School invites the community to attend an open discussion featuring Carl Hoffman, journalist and New York Times Bestselling Author, and several Shipley students on Thursday, October 30, from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the Bryn Mawr campus. The discussion will focus on Hoffman’s latest book, Savage Harvest, which was a required reading for Honors Global Studies students in Shipley Upper School this semester.

Attendees will have the opportunity to discover the questions Hoffman raises and engage with Shipley students who have been analyzing his insights from an interdisciplinary lens reflecting on history, anthropology and other frames.

Hoffman’s book explores a moment when Western civilization encountered an ancient, indigenous culture, leading to the disappearance of Michael Rockefeller, a mystery that still fascinates the world. Hoffman’s research with the Asmat offers an answer to the question, “What happened to Michael Rockefeller?”

“I had assigned this book to push students on more abstract thinking,” said Charlene Weigel, Shipley Upper School Interdisciplinary History Teacher. “Often times, customs or rituals we may think are human nature are in fact cultural ideologies. This book offers insight on the external conflict of human nature versus cultural ideology and what happens when both are pushed to the limit.”

Students were tasked with coming up with the questions to guide next week’s speaking event. “We were very excited to learn that Mr. Hoffman would be coming to Shipley to discuss his book,” said Ben Tirjan, Shipley student. “There are so many different forces at work in this story and I think it will be a really powerful and rewarding experience for us to share our own personal analysis and compare it with that of the author.”

“A lot of what was discussed in this book can be applied to everyday life, including the ideas of breaking away from the norm and going out into the world with an open mind – both of which are characteristics we hope to instill in our students,” said Weigel.

Hoffman is the author of Savage Harvest and The Lunatic Express, the former of which debuted on the New York Times bestseller list and was named a New York Times “editor’s pick.” A contributing editor at National Geographic Traveler and a former contributing editor for Wired, Hoffman has traveled to more than 75 countries on assignment for Outside; Smithsonian; National Geographic Adventure; ESPN, the

Magazine; Wired; Men’s Journal; Popular Mechanics and many other publications. He has spoken widely about the risks and rewards of traveling deeply into the furthest corners of the world.

This free event is open to the public and anyone can register online at www.shipleyschool.org/hoffman. Walk-ins are welcome. The presentation will take place at The Shipley School’s Upper Campus Dining Room, located at 814 Yarrow Street, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010.

About Shipley

The Shipley School is a pre-K through 12 independent, coeducational day school in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, committed to educational excellence and dedicated to developing in each student a love of learning and a compassionate participation in the world. Through a strong college preparatory curriculum in the humanities and the sciences, the School encourages curiosity, creativity, and respect for intellectual effort. Shipley upholds and promotes moral integrity, a sense of personal achievement and worth, and concern for others at school and in the larger community. For 120 years, The Shipley School has been teaching with the individual in mind, inspiring confidence, creativity, and deeply rooted learning. For more information visit www.shipleyschool.org, like The Shipley School on www.facebook.com/shipleyschool or follow @ShipleySchool on Twitter.