Junglekeeper: What It Takes to Change the World

by Paul Rosolie

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Most people assume that the world has been explored and true adventure is This book is one man’s rebuttal. Explorer and conservationist Paul Rosolie shares his incredible life in the Amazon rainforest—and what we can learn from the people fighting to protect it.

“On behalf of the forests that I love, thank you, Paul, for writing this book.”—Jane Goodall

Deep in the Peruvian jungle, there exists a corner of the world that remains untouched—one teeming with giant anacondas, where the haunting cries of howler monkeys send brightly colored macaws shooting across the canopy. It’s an ecosystem of stupendous biodiversity, uncontacted tribes, and adventures that most people don’t even dare to dream of.

When he first set foot in the jungle, Rosolie was a dyslexic kid from Brooklyn who struggled to graduate from high school but had an undeniable calling to the outdoors. He was lucky enough to meet the indigenous naturalist Juan Julio Durand, and together, over two decades, they have created Junglekeepers, an organization that has found a way to halt deforestation and protect more than 110,000 acres—inspiring millions along the way by documenting their progress online. But this work takes grit, and years in, Rosolie and Durand are past their “barefoot machete days,” grappling with chain saws, massive fires, illegal miners, and the worst of humanity. Here, Rosolie brings you up close and personal with one of the wildest places on the planet and tells the incredible story of “first contact” with one of the most mysterious uncontacted tribes on the Mashco Piro.

This book is about the profound power of saying yes to one’s calling, yes to sticking with your dream when it comes at a high cost, and yes to taking a stand to save what might otherwise be gone in a generation. It’s a story of calling, connectedness, and hope.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Memoir, Conservation, Environment, Amazon, Adventure

331 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 20, 2026

About the author

Hello! I’m Paul Rosolie, author of the new book "JUNGLEKEEPER: What it takes to Change the World" out January 20th 2026. I'm also author of Mother of God (2014), and The Girl and the Tiger (2019).

Growing up my parents read me Sherlock Holmes, Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, James Herriot, White Fang by Jack London and more. Because I am dyslexic it took me a long time to learn to read, much longer than other kids. So being read to was really important. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I fell in love with reading on my own. Today it amazes me the extent to which the books I love have influenced my life, and I feel that story telling, more than anything else, is my greatest passion.

Along with being a writer, I work as a conservationist protecting wildlife and ecosystems – mostly tropical rainforests. I work in the Amazon, India, Indonesia and other places where biodiversity and habitat loss are rampant. I believe we live in the most crucial time in history because our natural systems and wildlife are dwindling and we as a global community have little choice but to reassess our relationship to the natural world. That is the focus of my writing.

My book Mother of God (Harper Collins) is non-fiction and was my first book. It gained the praise of environmentalists and adventurers such as Jane Goodall, Bear Grylls, and Bill McKibben who have called the book a “gripping”, “awe inspiring”, “rousing tale”, “with a great and enduring point”. It mostly chronicles my formative years as an explorer and protector of wild places. This book had the very real world result of helping to protect over 30,000 acres of primary jungle in the Amazon Rainforest.

My NEW book The Girl and the Tiger (Owl Hollow Press) is a work of fiction, though this story is very much based on the last ten years I’ve spent in India tracking the migration of wild tigers and elephants. I tell everyone that this book is less my own creation and more a collection of moments, truths, and legends I found over the years in the Indian jungle. It is a necklace of a book, a series of seeds and teeth, stones and bones, gathered from the forest floor; I only added the string. It is the result of following elephants, searching for tigers, sitting late into the night around campfires, and becoming acquainted with the tribes of the forest, both human and animal.

I’m so excited to bring this story to the world. If you’d like to follow along I’m going to be sharing the journey on Instagram @PaulRosolie .

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Junglekeeper is a singular work of unrivaled beauty, thrills and significance.

If you're one of the millions who was left awestruck and horrified by Paul's viral video that showed the devastating effects of wildfire in the Amazon, grab this book for a chapter-by-chapter recreation of that sense of awe. Every word is infused with raw authenticity and sincerity. Paul Rosolie is so charismatic and knowledgeable about his subject that beguiling turns of phrase seem to flow from his pen like a tributary into a river, casually littering his prose with inventive language the way other authors use punctuation.

Junglekeeper is a continuation of the message Rosolie began crafting in his 2014 book, Mother of God. He highlights tragedy as well as triumph in his absolutely unequalled effort to preserve the Amazon. When he writes about his interaction with animals, whether the nurturing rehabilitation of an anteater or the heart-pounding capture of a giant anaconda, it's irresistible, eye-opening stuff. The stories of Dharma the elephant and a particular spider monkey will resonate powerfully with so many readers. I've read other authors attempts to do justice to stories like these and they either come off too clinical or too saccharine--Rosolie is the only person who could have accomplished this with such poignancy. I love his comment about the conservation effort--this one in particular--being about more than carbon or anything quantifiable.

The transformative insights and moments of revelation conveyed in these pages would be too powerful to absorb if they weren't broken up by glimpses of genuine humor and humanity, in all its flawed glory. Just when you think you've gotten the full scope of what Junglekeeper has to offer, the final few pages land like a knockout blow, tantalizing the reader with an ending no one would have expected. Part jungle thriller, part philosophical exploration of the sanctity of life, Junglekeeper, like its author, is a unique and profound force. This is a book that can teach everyone who reads it something about themselves, something about the world they live in and something about the connection between the two.

If you haven't read Paul's previous books, go find Mother of God and The Girl and the Tiger, as soon as possible.

An inspired thank you to NetGalley, Convergent Books and the author for the ARC.

[Cassidy Marquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always love listening to him on JRE. Such an interesting book about his journey to the Amazon and conservation. Highly recommend to everyone but especially animal lovers. Adding Jungle Keepers donation to the monthly budget.

[Erin Maxson · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s almost too much to say about this book.

Every chapter opened my eyes even further. As a young kid, I loved reading about the Amazon and everything within it. This book gave me so much to think and learn about after I made my way through it.

From learning about conservation programs to indigenous cultures there, I now have a long list of things to start researching on my own.

Outside of the education I received through these pages, the stories inside inspire not only thought but action and love for a very far away place. The Amazon is more than just a bunch of trees, it’s a living and breathing thing that supports so many flora and fauna — and our way of being.

Paul truly paints the picture of what it means to give it all away to save the world. And to love something with everything you have.

Rosolie is the kind of conservationist I believe we need in to see more of. Not perfect, but well-meaning in all ways. From storytelling to grabbing the world’s largest snake by the neck, we need more people telling it like it is and continuing to stand tall.

I’ll be impatiently waiting for this book to hit its pub date so I can pick up a copy for everyone I know!!

[Heather Gilliland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm rating this 5 stars because of the impact it had on me. This book takes you on a ride. You learn the story of how Junglekeepers came to be. It is a messy story, but an inspiring one. Paul admits he is far from perfect. He had this crazy dream of saving the Amazon and had no plan or idea how to do it. Through true trials and lots of errors, he has made magnificent progress on his goal. The grit and persistence of both him and the others who have spearheaded this fight for the Amazon (especially JJ) are superhuman. The most impactful element of this book is the stories of the Jungle itself. The main character is you will. The Jaguar, the towering Kapok, the winding river full of Caiman and stingray, down to the wasps and vines are permanently burned into my mind as if I have seen them myself. Paul has made the reader feel as if they too were seeing this unbelievable Jungle in all its glory ...and then also in its destruction. The emotional impact this book had on me was massive. I am grateful for it. I really hope it gets in the hands of as many people as possible. For so many of us who have never seen it personally, books like this FORCE us to see it. It takes us deep inside, up close and personal. You cannot look away now. You MUST act. Thank you for this Paul.
-Only minor criticism....what the heck was that second to last chapter? You just abruptly stopped at you getting on a helicopter and then jumped to the latest update on JJ and the Narcos? I felt whiplashed. It just didn't flow.

[Cydney Sea · Rating 5 out of 5]

JungleKeepers is not a book about conservation.
This book is not for people who care about protecting our planet; it’s for dreamers, writers, storytellers, and anyone who wants to be inspired. Every page feels alive

Whether you’re a parent/student/traveler/office junkie/ roadtripping/ reading with your child, an artist seeking a spark, or someone just looking to reconnect with something real and meaningful, Junglekeepers speaks to you. It’s not a story about the forest.

it’s a story about all of us.

[Elly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good. I felt like the descriptions were so well done that I could watch the book in my head. I recommend the audiobook and can't wait to read more by this author. Surprisingly positive and hopeful. Some very wild stories but I loved it all. Could not stop listening.

[Anuradha Prasad · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I read Mother of God and heard one of his talks, Paul Rosolie’s storytelling left me spellbound. So, I was eager to grab an early copy of his latest book Junglekeeper: What It Takes to Change the World. No doubt, Rosolie is a remarkable storyteller. He knows how to pull you into the fantastical and lawless Amazonia with floating forests, mist rivers, and giant anacondas.

Rosolie’s passion leaps off the page and pulls you in from the word go; there is a certain rush that you ride from page one, almost akin to being on the Madre de Dios. He recreates the Amazon and the adrenaline of his adventures with ease and knows how to throw a gut punch as he describes the more horrific events unfolding in the Amazon. From the endless stream of loggers to devouring forest fires and highways to the more sinister narco trafficking, the Amazon’s adversaries are many.

For those who’ve read Mother of God, a few of the stories are familiar. But this book goes deeper and beyond it. For one, we get to know more about JJ, Mohsin, Stephane, and the others who come together to save the Amazon, an endeavor that eventually leads to the founding of Junglekeepers.

Rosolie shares his endearing account of meeting the legendary Jane Goodall and the less endearing confrontation with the uncontacted Mashco Piro tribe. He also addresses the fiasco of a documentary about anacondas that gave him a reputation as a sensationalist, and he takes readers behind the scenes and the reality of what had transpired. But since then, his and his team’s reputation as conservationists who are doing substantial work in safekeeping the jungle, intentionally different from colonialist conservation, has been recognized and supported globally.

The book is also about what it takes to chase one’s dreams and create something
long-lasting, which makes a difference to the world. Rosolie throws himself headlong into adventure with the full force of passion, shunning the traditional paths. He gets knocked about quite a bit, and the journey is not always pretty. This is a hero’s quest and a story of purpose and unwavering belief, of taking chances, and also resilience built by confronting the many failures that an unconventional path throws at you. The narrative is peppered with epiphanies and life truths, raw and inspiring.

Over the span of the book, Rosolie’s message and call to action are clear. The Amazon is in danger. While there has been progress and the Junglekeepers is a step in the right direction, there is still a long way to go.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not someone who reads easily. I’m dyslexic, and books often feel like work—something I want to love more than I actually do. Junglekeeper was different.

From the first pages, it moves with an effortlessness that is rare. Not because the story is simple—far from it—but because the writing is precise, alive, and deeply human. This is one of those books where personal adventure and true writer’s craft collide. You feel the jungle, the danger, the absurdity, the beauty—but you never feel lost inside the prose.

But Junglekeeper is not just an adventure story. It shows you what it actually takes to commit to something that feels impossible—to stay when leaving would be easier, to protect what cannot protect itself, and to keep going when the odds are stacked against you. In that sense, it is the ultimate real-life hero’s journey.

Paul doesn’t write to impress. He writes to tell the truth. The sentences are robust but clean, the pacing exact. I kept thinking: this is what it feels like when someone knows exactly what they’re trying to say.

It’s a page-turner not in the commercial sense, but in the human one. You want to keep going because the stakes are real, because the voice is trustworthy, and because the story matters. For someone who struggles with reading, that kind of momentum is a gift.

Junglekeeper isn’t just a book about the Amazon. It’s about commitment—about choosing a life of responsibility in a world that rewards escape, and about telling that story with integrity. I finished it feeling not overwhelmed, but sharpened. Awake. And grateful to have been carried through it so cleanly.

[Ky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will invade your dreams…

Jungle Keepers is one of those nonfiction books that stays with you long after you finish it.

Paul Rosolie tells the story of conservation not as an abstract idea, but as something lived day to day in the Amazon. The book is raw, honest, and often uncomfortable. It shows the danger, frustration, and personal cost of trying to protect something fragile in a world that does not always care if it survives.

What makes the book hit so hard is how human it feels. The people involved are not portrayed as heroes chasing recognition. They are exhausted, stubborn, and deeply committed. Progress is slow. Setbacks are constant. Yet they keep showing up because walking away would feel worse than continuing.

Listening to Paul Rosolie on the Joe Rogan podcast added another layer to the experience. Hearing him speak with the same humility, intensity, and sincerity found in the book makes it clear that this is not a persona. He genuinely believes in the work, and that authenticity comes through in every chapter. He comes across not as someone trying to save the world, but as someone who simply refuses to give up on it.

The book quietly challenges the idea that changing the world requires grand gestures or massive platforms. Instead, it argues that real change is built through long-term dedication, patience, and a willingness to stand in uncomfortable places for extended periods of time.

By the end, Jungle Keepers feels less like a book about conservation and more like a meditation on purpose. It asks what it truly means to live a meaningful life when the outcome is uncertain and success is never guaranteed

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not all good writers are good storytellers, but luckily for us Paul Rosolie is both.

Junglekeeper has a rare kind of magic where it feels as if the author is speaking directly to the reader. The book is packed with adventure after adventure, but what makes it so compelling is the voice—familiar, grounded, still awake to wonder—and the expert pacing of someone who appreciates a good story. This book is a masterclass in pacing, reminding me of movies from the 90s. It takes its time. It’s bursting with action, but Paul is careful to balance out the big moments by intermittently shifting focus to the quiet ones that happen in between—late night conversation around a fire, a happy encounter with a school of fish, waking up to the soft snores of an orphaned spider monkey.

Don’t get me wrong, A LOT happens in this book that I won’t spoil, but also, I’m very much here for the expert world-building—the day in and day out of 20 years dedicated to protecting the Amazon rainforest. I think most good art nails the contrasts, and in this book the contrasts abound. For all the beauty, there is an equal amount of grit, and for all the devastation, there is an equal amount of hope. A really good adventure that hits all the notes. And yes, the author is my brother, but I’d love this book regardless because I love beautiful storytelling that I can get lost in.

[Lilisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a wild ride by the author into the Peruvian jungle with uncomfortably close and dangerous encounters with animals and people, while at the same time showcasing nature in all its glory and the drive to preserve natural habitat from industrialization. Alongside the author’s experiences with the wild and gnarly, come the strong friendships forged with local people as well as likeminded individuals who had similar goals in protecting and preserving acres of land from logging and mining. Some of the experiences were certainly out of this world – amazing and oftentimes reckless some would say! It’s incredible the author survived many of the encounters and I’m glad he lived to share his stories. The section on Mashco Piro tribe was particularly fascinating. I felt the book didn’t hang together as much I would have liked – it jumped around a bit and transitions between chapters were a bit wobbly and at times my attention wandered. And then, there was the end, which I’m guessing concluded the way it did as a run up to the next book, but no! Overall, this was a 3.5 star read, rounded up to 4. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Jacquelyn Fusco · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I saw this in the list of Goodreads giveaways, I was like "ooh jungle, plants, animals, conservation" so I entered.

I loved it so much that, before I got to the end, I became a $5 a month donor to the Junglekeepers nonprofit.

I usually focus on humans because I feel like it's easy for white Americans to ignore brown kid's and adult's suffering in favor of cute puppies on ASPCA commercials - who can't talk and disagree when them. But this stuff couldn't be more important. Not only are there millions of other-than-human lives at risk, but also the native people who live in the Amazon, potential medicine from the forest, and also ALL KNOWN LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE if we continue to mess up the ecosystem.

Rosolie's personal story was very relatable (except for the stuff where he's really strong and follows his dreams and ends up making awesome stuff happen)...the stuff about being miserable at school and having learning disorders and doubting himself and going through depression was relatable. Lol. And the other stuff is inspiring.

Great stories, he tells them well. You learn a lot and get awesome insight into experiences not a lot of people have. Def reccomend!

[Kelli]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Okay so this was a DNF for me around halfway through, and to be fair I won't give a star rating here.

I really am interested in the topic the author writes about here- the Amazon rainforest and its destruction by deforestation, fire, and settlement. I think he has an important message and a unique perspective from which to share his experience and research, having lived and worked in a remote region of the Amazon for years. It was often interesting as well to read about his travels and everyday life near the southeastern edge of Peru, and his interactions with local communities, forest animals, and adventure tourists.

However the voice/style was just not for me, and is why I decided to DNF and read something else. It is written in a really exaggerated and self-aggrandizing way that came across as immature to me, and there was too much info about the author's personal life and bio that I just did not care about in the context of the wider topic. If you know of and/or like this guy (apparently he is on TV) then maybe this book would be more for you.

[Austeja · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first learned about Paul Rosolie through the Lex Fridman podcast. Having no background in biology or conservation, and only very basic knowledge of the Amazon jungle, I found his stories incredibly entertaining and informative. (Admittedly, I was listening to the podcast before sleep, because the way he narrates is so calming.)
So I opted for the audiobook version of Junglekeepers, and I’m so glad I did. It doesn’t even feel like a book, it’s like sitting with Paul and listening to him tell you about his adventures. It’s a perfect mix of information, adventure, and mesmerizing descriptions of nature. I’ve never been to the Amazon rainforest, and I doubt that I ever will, but it feels like I’m there when I’m listening to Junglekeepers.
The only caveat of the audiobook is that he mentions a lot of animal and plant names that I can’t look up, English isn’t my native language, and I don’t know how to spell them. I might get a physical copy later on as well.

[Candace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating look into one man's journey to discover himself, and in doing so finds his life's passion. His writing pulls us into the jungle with him and experience the breathtaking wonder of a world most of us will never see. The book meanders along a path that frequently jumps back and forth time, but still flows toward a simple truth: we must save the Amazon.

I found this book to be inspiring and hopeful (even with the horrifying last chapter). To find and follow your calling is hard, filled with countless obstacles and sometimes you just want to give up. It shines a spotlight on human nature, the good and the ugly, but reminds us to see with empathy why people do what they do.

I am thankful I get to experience the Amazon through the eyes of Rosolie. I hope more people are able to hear his message and are motivated to enact change, even if it only in our own backyards.

[Tin Kranzelic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t write many reviews, but this one deserves it.

I’ve been a supporter of Junglekeepers ever since I first heard Paul speak on several podcasts and read his first book, Mother of God. His story inspired me to travel to the Madre de Dios region myself and see firsthand what this "Tarzan of the Amazon" has been talking about. To make the experience even more surreal, I somehow ended up shaking his hand on the very same flight to Puerto Maldonado.

I’ve been looking forward to this book from the moment it was announced, and so far it absolutely delivers. The story is gripping and inspiring, and Paul has a gift for weaving words that effortlessly paint vivid images in your mind. Everything about it reinforces why this work matters so much, and I have no doubt that one day this story will end in a triumphant way.

[Howard Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is perhaps not a perfectly written book, but it presents gripping and sobering stories of how the greatest and most important wild area on Earth is being burned down as if it were worthless. Can we stop it? Do we have the will? Paul Rosolie does. His experience is meaningful and important. You cannot read this and leave feeling indifferent.
And it is striking how, when you read how native Americans were murdered indifferently and wiped out from the common cold, you should know there are 10-20000 uncontacted tribal people in the Amazon and that genocide is literally happening TODAY. It isn't just distant history.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been a fan of Paul Rosolie ever since I read Mother of God, so I was really excited to pick up Junglekeeper, and it absolutely delivered. His storytelling is so engaging. He has a way of pulling you right into the jungle with him and making even the toughest, wildest moments feel real and relatable. It doesn’t feel like you’re reading a lecture or a science book, it feels like you’re listening to someone tell an incredible true story.

What I love most about Junglekeeper is how personal it feels. You can tell how much Rosolie cares about the Amazon and the work he’s doing, and that passion comes through on every page. If you’ve enjoyed his earlier books—or even if you’re just curious about life in the rainforest—this is a great, inspiring read and a strong continuation of his journey.

[Lyss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spent hours listening to Paul on podcasts before reading this book. I cannot believe I was so ignorant to what is going on in a place honestly not so far from me. Paul is an incredible story teller and makes you feel like you were there with him as he races to save the Amazonia. I find his story’s incredible, yet almost unbelievable. He loves what he does and it is not easy work.
Our world is in danger and reading this truly gave me inspiration.
I will tell everyone I know to read this book.

[Trevor Caldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolute love what Paul Rosalie has done and continues to do for the Amazon. Paul Rosolie’s tireless efforts in the Amazon are truly inspiring. His firsthand experiences offer a powerful and compelling perspective on the devastating impact that narco-traffickers are having on this vital ecosystem. The work he continues to do not only raises critical awareness but also shines a light on the urgent need for conservation. Reading his account was both enlightening and deeply moving, providing a rare and authentic glimpse into the challenges faced in protecting the Amazon

[Julia DeLorenzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Junglekeeper is a gripping, deeply moving account of what it actually takes to defend the Amazon. Rosolie’s writing is so vivid you feel like you are immersed in the rainforest alongside him. It is a masterpiece that manages to be both a thrilling adventure story and a strikingly honest look at conservation.

[Jim Turvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’ve ever seen Paul speak, you know he’s an incredible story teller. That skill translates PERFECTLY to the page as you can choose to either inhale this book in a day, or take your time to enjoy it over the course of several weeks, giving yourself a treat each night with another amazing story of Paul and the work he has done. A true five star read.

[Danny P · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Urgent, Heart-Pounding MUST-READ!

This book is a rare mix of high-adrenalin ADVENTURE and the raw COURAGE required to save our planet's wildest ecosystems. From uncontacted tribes to the breathtaking beauty and literal heartbeats of the jungle, Junglekeeper is more than just a story — it is a light for the future of our Planet Earth. It is a must-read. 10/10.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story and it motivated me to donate to the charity. A gung-ho type beginning to an American landing in the Amazon…. And taking action to make a difference. Thank you to the author. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

[Enrico · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of essays/stories of the authors life and work in the jungle. Pretty much the same style as his other book Mother of God. If you like small adventure stories from the Amazon this is your book.

[Flora Mehdi · Rating 5 out of 5]

100/10

[Izabelle Apostol]

It made me feel like I was in the Amazon forrest.

A book not only about a place, but about a dream, and the difficulties that come with achieving it.

[Amy Glass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow just wow. The language used makes you able to really visualize the environment as if you were there, picture the events as if you were part of them and feel the feelings the people felt. Amazing stories, amazing mission, and such a great read!

[N. Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved loved this book! Paul Rosolie is an amazing and inspiring writer. This made me dream of being in the jungle!!

[Remus Lupin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul is an inspiration, a brave man, an old school adventurer and a fantastic writer. His work is of utmost importance, and we should all do our part for his cause.