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How to Save the Amazon: A journalist's deadly quest for answers
'Ultimately as inspiring and devastating as the Amazon itself' The Guardian
'Bold, pacy, bursting with optimism and filled with vivid descriptions, this is the work of an indomitable soul' - Guy Shrubsole
A brilliantly colourful work of reportage ... a haunting and truly important read' - The Telegraph
RECIPIENT OF A WHITING FOUNDATION AWARD
On 5 June 2022, award-winning journalist Dom Phillips was working on this book, alongside the indigenous expert Bruno Pereira, when they were both shot. They are believed to have been assassinated by one of the criminal networks whose ecological exploitation they were working to expose.
As the world becomes more aware of the significance of the Amazon, home to nearly 400 billion trees, working in this vast region has become ever more dangerous for activists and journalists. Fires, land grabs, and the invasion of reserves have all spiked over recent decades, pushing the world's biggest forest ever closer to a point of no return. The last few years have seen efforts to reduce deforestation, but the question remains; can we save this globally essential ecosystem before it is too late?
A group of expert writers took up Phillips' partially completed manuscript, committed to his mission of uncovering the truth about deforestation and searching for solutions. Blending in-depth reporting and encounters with indigenous activists, ecologists, farmers, and political figures, How to Save The Amazon is a dazzling account of how we can fight ecological destruction and stand in solidarity with the Earth's environmental defenders.
'Bold, pacy, bursting with optimism and filled with vivid descriptions, this is the work of an indomitable soul' - Guy Shrubsole
A brilliantly colourful work of reportage ... a haunting and truly important read' - The Telegraph
RECIPIENT OF A WHITING FOUNDATION AWARD
On 5 June 2022, award-winning journalist Dom Phillips was working on this book, alongside the indigenous expert Bruno Pereira, when they were both shot. They are believed to have been assassinated by one of the criminal networks whose ecological exploitation they were working to expose.
As the world becomes more aware of the significance of the Amazon, home to nearly 400 billion trees, working in this vast region has become ever more dangerous for activists and journalists. Fires, land grabs, and the invasion of reserves have all spiked over recent decades, pushing the world's biggest forest ever closer to a point of no return. The last few years have seen efforts to reduce deforestation, but the question remains; can we save this globally essential ecosystem before it is too late?
A group of expert writers took up Phillips' partially completed manuscript, committed to his mission of uncovering the truth about deforestation and searching for solutions. Blending in-depth reporting and encounters with indigenous activists, ecologists, farmers, and political figures, How to Save The Amazon is a dazzling account of how we can fight ecological destruction and stand in solidarity with the Earth's environmental defenders.
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Published May 27, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 17, 2025
A Testament to Courage and Hope: "How to Save the Amazon" Shines as Essential Reading
Reading "How to Save the Amazon: A journalist's fatal quest for answers" left me profoundly moved and forever changed. This isn't just another environmental book—it's a powerful reminder that some stories are too important to be silenced, even by death.
Dom Phillips was the kind of journalist I deeply admire. He started his career covering techno clubs and writing about music, but something drew him to Brazil and to the Amazon's urgent story. What strikes me most about his approach is how he refused to be just another foreign correspondent parachuting in for dramatic headlines. Instead, he spent years building relationships, learning from Indigenous communities, and genuinely seeking solutions rather than just documenting problems.
The tragic circumstances surrounding this book's completion make it even more compelling. When Phillips and Indigenous expert Bruno Pereira were murdered by the very criminals they were investigating, I initially worried their vital work would be lost. Instead, witnessing how their colleagues and friends rallied to finish the book restored my faith in the power of journalistic solidarity. The fact that twenty writers, editors, and experts donated their time while refusing any royalties speaks volumes about the impact Phillips had on those who knew him.
What I love most about this book is its relentless focus on hope and solutions. Every chapter feels like Phillips asking, "Okay, we know things are bad—but what can actually work?" He explores agroforestry, sustainable tourism, and bioeconomy initiatives with the same rigor he applies to exposing illegal logging and cattle ranching. This balance keeps the book from becoming another depressing catalog of environmental destruction.
The Indigenous voices Phillips amplifies throughout the book are its heart and soul. His central insight—that we need to listen to the people who have successfully protected these lands for centuries—seems obvious once stated, but it's revolutionary in its simplicity. These aren't abstract policy recommendations; they're practical wisdom from communities who have lived sustainably in the Amazon for generations.
Reading the early chapters written by Phillips himself, I can feel his passion bleeding through every page. His writing style is engaging and accessible, mixing personal anecdotes with serious research in a way that kept me turning pages late into the night. The later chapters, completed by his collaborators using his notes and interviews, maintain that same energy while honoring his vision.
This book challenged my own assumptions about environmental activism. Phillips shows that saving the Amazon isn't about stopping all development—it's about supporting the right kind of development led by the right people. The Indigenous communities, traditional populations, and local environmental defenders he profiles aren't obstacles to progress; they're the key to a sustainable future.
The collaborative nature of this book's completion gives me hope for journalism itself. In an era when reporters face increasing dangers worldwide, seeing an entire community come together to ensure a fallen colleague's work survives feels like a small victory against those who would silence the truth.
By the final pages, I felt both heartbroken and inspired. Phillips and Pereira paid the ultimate price for their commitment to environmental justice, but their message rings clear: there is still time, there are still solutions, and there are still people willing to fight for them. As Phillips believed, everyone can do something—and this book shows us exactly what that something might look like.
"How to Save the Amazon" is more than essential reading; it's a call to action wrapped in one of the most moving tributes to journalistic courage I've ever encountered. It's a book that demands to be read, shared, and acted upon.
Reading "How to Save the Amazon: A journalist's fatal quest for answers" left me profoundly moved and forever changed. This isn't just another environmental book—it's a powerful reminder that some stories are too important to be silenced, even by death.
Dom Phillips was the kind of journalist I deeply admire. He started his career covering techno clubs and writing about music, but something drew him to Brazil and to the Amazon's urgent story. What strikes me most about his approach is how he refused to be just another foreign correspondent parachuting in for dramatic headlines. Instead, he spent years building relationships, learning from Indigenous communities, and genuinely seeking solutions rather than just documenting problems.
The tragic circumstances surrounding this book's completion make it even more compelling. When Phillips and Indigenous expert Bruno Pereira were murdered by the very criminals they were investigating, I initially worried their vital work would be lost. Instead, witnessing how their colleagues and friends rallied to finish the book restored my faith in the power of journalistic solidarity. The fact that twenty writers, editors, and experts donated their time while refusing any royalties speaks volumes about the impact Phillips had on those who knew him.
What I love most about this book is its relentless focus on hope and solutions. Every chapter feels like Phillips asking, "Okay, we know things are bad—but what can actually work?" He explores agroforestry, sustainable tourism, and bioeconomy initiatives with the same rigor he applies to exposing illegal logging and cattle ranching. This balance keeps the book from becoming another depressing catalog of environmental destruction.
The Indigenous voices Phillips amplifies throughout the book are its heart and soul. His central insight—that we need to listen to the people who have successfully protected these lands for centuries—seems obvious once stated, but it's revolutionary in its simplicity. These aren't abstract policy recommendations; they're practical wisdom from communities who have lived sustainably in the Amazon for generations.
Reading the early chapters written by Phillips himself, I can feel his passion bleeding through every page. His writing style is engaging and accessible, mixing personal anecdotes with serious research in a way that kept me turning pages late into the night. The later chapters, completed by his collaborators using his notes and interviews, maintain that same energy while honoring his vision.
This book challenged my own assumptions about environmental activism. Phillips shows that saving the Amazon isn't about stopping all development—it's about supporting the right kind of development led by the right people. The Indigenous communities, traditional populations, and local environmental defenders he profiles aren't obstacles to progress; they're the key to a sustainable future.
The collaborative nature of this book's completion gives me hope for journalism itself. In an era when reporters face increasing dangers worldwide, seeing an entire community come together to ensure a fallen colleague's work survives feels like a small victory against those who would silence the truth.
By the final pages, I felt both heartbroken and inspired. Phillips and Pereira paid the ultimate price for their commitment to environmental justice, but their message rings clear: there is still time, there are still solutions, and there are still people willing to fight for them. As Phillips believed, everyone can do something—and this book shows us exactly what that something might look like.
"How to Save the Amazon" is more than essential reading; it's a call to action wrapped in one of the most moving tributes to journalistic courage I've ever encountered. It's a book that demands to be read, shared, and acted upon.
November 28, 2025
The writer was murdered in Javari Valley region of the Amazon while writing the book so only the first half is written by him. He does a good job of highlighting people and projects within the Amazon that inspire hope for the future. Most intriguing ideas to me were the ability to track deforestation live with satellites (this technology will only get better with time), ecological research and field trials to promote the bioeconomy and biomedical industries, and agroforestry through indigenous practices.
Cattle ranching and agribusiness still pose the biggest threat to the forest and I’m not totally convinced there is a clear solution here. Intensification seemed somewhat promising, regen grazing isn’t really economically feasible or scalable, and international bans on beef from deforestation isn’t working in the slightest.
My qualms — the title of the book bugs me and I don’t think the solutions were explored at a real depth. Saving the Amazon seems a very colonial language and viewpoint. Plus only the last 20 pages featured an actual Indigenous perspective. Would’ve like to hear directly from that side.
Also it only touches on the Brazilian Amazon, which even though it’s the country with the largest portion, it’s only 1 of 9 countries in SA that contain the Amazon.
Cattle ranching and agribusiness still pose the biggest threat to the forest and I’m not totally convinced there is a clear solution here. Intensification seemed somewhat promising, regen grazing isn’t really economically feasible or scalable, and international bans on beef from deforestation isn’t working in the slightest.
My qualms — the title of the book bugs me and I don’t think the solutions were explored at a real depth. Saving the Amazon seems a very colonial language and viewpoint. Plus only the last 20 pages featured an actual Indigenous perspective. Would’ve like to hear directly from that side.
Also it only touches on the Brazilian Amazon, which even though it’s the country with the largest portion, it’s only 1 of 9 countries in SA that contain the Amazon.
November 8, 2025
Dom Philips was a BBC journalist and was writing this book when got brutally murdered. He asked the people of Amazonia for possible solutions how to keep the forest standing. Instead of only mourning staying in silence, his friends, colleagues and relatives finished the book - following the notes left behind.
December 4, 2025
A profound and interesting book that highlights one of the most important issues with our planet. The concept is incredible, gaining insights from people with real experience in the Amazon. The whole book was very well put together and leaves the reader with many questions answered and knowledge about the situation.
August 14, 2025
A very moving book.
September 19, 2025
I got through about half of this book. The content is fascinating, but the book is REALLY repetitive. The book could have been half the size and conveyed the same ideas.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews