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Junglekeeper Review: Is Paul Rosolie’s Blueprint Too Gritty for Modern Conservation?

From "barefoot machete days" to protecting 110,000 acres, we review Paul Rosolie’s Junglekeeper. Learn how he is rewriting the story of the Amazon.
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Table of Contents

Basin Beats: A Musical Review

Basin Beats is a book review in sound. This original production captures the pulse and rhythm of the work as a musical endorsement from River Mixer. 

The track is at the top, and you can find the full lyrics at the bottom of the post.

Our Review

At River Mixer, we believe in protecting the arteries of our planet. That’s why we’re sharing our take on Paul Rosolie’s latest release, Junglekeeper: What It Takes to Change the World.

This isn’t just a story about trees; it’s a gritty, boots-on-the-ground account of what it actually takes to hold the line against deforestation. For anyone searching for an authentic Junglekeeper review, you’ll find that Rosolie skips the romanticized explorer tropes. Instead, he brings you onto the Madre de Dios to experience the high-stakes reality of modern conservation.

Why this book matters to our community:

  • The River Connection: Rosolie focuses on the Las Piedras River basin, a critical tributary of the Amazon. He details the literal “river in the sky”—the mist that glides over the treetops at dawn.

  • The Visuals: We greatly enjoyed the packet of full-color images included in the center of the book. While some of the photography is a repeat from his last book, Mother of God, seeing these vivid glimpses of the deep jungle and personal snapshots helps ground the reader in the environment he’s fighting to save.

  • Local Guardianship: We love his focus on JJ (Juan Julio Durand) and the Ese Eja Indigenous community. It’s about providing loggers and miners with a sustainable alternative: becoming rangers who protect the same riverbanks they once exploited.

  • Physical Impact: From wrangling giant anacondas to the heavy silt in your boots after a long patrol, the book captures the physical toll of protecting 110,000 acres of primary forest.

Rosolie rejects the “doomsday” narrative, proving that humans can be a restorative force for our waterways. If you want to understand what it actually takes to protect the wildest places on Earth, Junglekeeper is your field guide.

Other Reviews

Basin Beats Lyrics

(Verse 1) Paul’s standing where the mud meets the boot, Deep in the basin, digging for the root. From the Madre de Dios to the canopy height, Turning the shadows into flashes of light. He’s mapping the water, he’s charting the way, A Junglekeeper blueprint for a brand new day.

(Chorus) Read the words, feel the pulse of the land, Junglekeepers taking a final stand. With Paul and with JJ on the Las Piedras shore, The saws don’t scream in the woods no more. It’s the story you need, it’s the path to follow, The truth in the dirt, not a promise that’s hollow.

(Verse 2) JJ’s moving through the vine and the leaf, A former logger turned a forest chief. From the Ese Eja blood to the ranger’s soul, Taking back the river and the long patrol. No “ancient souls,” just the machete’s edge, Protecting the basin on a limestone ledge.

(Outro) Junglekeeper, Junglekeper, The river is rising. Get the book.

About River Mixer

River Mixer is an unincorporated nonprofit organization dedicated to reigniting the connection between people and the world’s most vital ecosystems. Guided by the philosophy of “River-Mixerism,” we go beyond simple advocacy to celebrate the cultural, spiritual, and ecological significance of our global waterways. From our vast collection of river water—featuring giants like the Nile, Mekong, and Yangtze—to our organized global expeditions, we foster a community of adventurers, history buffs, and art lovers. Whether we are patrolling the Madre de Dios in spirit with the Junglekeepers or exploring river lore in our Outdoors and History sections, our mission remains the same: to champion a River Renaissance and ensure these flowing wonders are cherished for generations to come.

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Editor's note

This blog post uses publicly available information from various sources, synthesized with the help of AI, as a starting point for exploring the world of rivers. Our editors review the content for accuracy, though we encourage readers to verify information intended for primary source use. We strive to use public domain, licensed, or AI-generated images; due to the nature of online sharing, individual image sources are generally not credited. Please contact us regarding any copyright concerns.

Featured Friends
Tamandua Expeditions.
Tamandua Expeditions is a conservation-focused travel group that leads immersive trips into the Peruvian Amazon to protect the rainforest. Founded by naturalist Paul Rosolie, the organization uses tourism revenue to fund ranger patrols and land preservation through their partner nonprofit, Junglekeepers. Instead of traditional sightseeing, guests participate in active wildlife research and habitat monitoring alongside local indigenous guides.
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We had multiple art options for this post’s cover, but only one could make the cut. Here are 5 runner-ups. Did we choose the right one?

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