Ring of Fire: An Indonesian Odyssey

The true story behind the internationally award-winning PBS television series, Ring of Fire charts the Blair brothers’ 10-year journey through the world’s largest and least-known archipelago–the islands of Indonesia. Amid seemingly impenetrable rain forests, erupting volcanoes, and unimaginable natural beauty, the brothers hoped to capture on film and in words the customs, beliefs, and wisdom of the islands’ inhabitants.

Their odyssey began with a 2,500-mile voyage through the Spice islands, guided by the notorious Bugi pirates, in search of the Greater Bird of Paradise. An entire decade of exploration followed, during which the authors lived among the Asmat cannibal tribe of West New Guinea and the sages and healers of Bali; encountered man-eating dragons of Komodo, and the elusive “dream-wanderers” of Borneo; and learned the legends of starship ancestors in the Clelebes highlands. With extraordinary courage, humor, and passion for the unknown, they draw us into their extraordinary journey to a magical land where ancient myths still flourish.