An extraordinary book...His vivid writing immerses you in his adventures as he explores an ancient pristine forest where no white man has been, where he encounters amazing creatures, and experiences the relentless power of untamed nature...There are parts that will haunt you, scenes you will never forget."--Jane Goodall

Imagine waking up to the mesmerizing sights and sounds of the rainforest's VIPs, right at your doorstep. He writes with a somewhat engaging style; for the most part, and I found the formatting of this one to be decent as well.All creatures are not meek and good, but his point is, as is with a lot of propaganda, if you can't work it through the facts, then go for the emotions, guilt-trip 'em. It is implied that we should get off our lazy arses and fill our days and evenings with meaningful work towards conserving the wildlife of this planet just like he does, no time for levity, frippery or going to the pub. Sanjiv, Deepthi (February 8, 2017). "When Paul Rosolie was chased by an elephant". Bangalore Mirror . Retrieved April 27, 2019. Paul Rosolie has travelled to the very heart of this wilderness in search of rare flora and fauna. His adventures – with giant anacondas, huge cayman, the mighty jaguar and one very small anteater – are by turn thrilling, terrifying and revelatory. Paul crosses some of the world’s harshest terrain and encounters some of its most extreme weather conditions. He battles with life-threatening tropical diseases and the extreme mental challenges presented by being alone in the heart of the jungle.

So I knew I wanted to tell the story of what is going on, but I wanted to tell it in a way that would reach more people and break the traditional conservation message mold. I wanted to convey the message of what we were losing without being overtly didactic – so I wanted to write something exciting and digestible and with a little more mainstream appeal. I have always been an avid reader of non-fiction adventure stories. My favorites were always the ones that dealt with wilderness sand wildlife where the author brought alive species or the essence of a place—and that had a good human story, where you also learned something. R.D. Lawrence’s The North Runner was one of my favorites growing up. And more recently I was completely amazed by John Vallient’s The Tiger. I looked to these greats while writing Mother of God. With more than 140 cities implementing water rationing, analysts warning of collapsing soy and coffee exports, and reservoirs and rivers running precipitously low, talk about the World Cup in some parts of Brazil has been sidelined by concerns about an epic drought affecting the country’s agricultural heartland. Paul Rosolie's Mother of God is more than a thrilling adventure tale, it's an old-fashioned boy-meets-jungle love story. Be prepared to fall for it."--Mark Adams, author of Turn Right at Machu Pichu Through his first book, Mother of God, Paul Rosolie takes us to places few others have ever been and where we are unlikely ever to ourselves travel. We encounter a wilderness the likes of which we had become convinced no longer existed, a real life Shangri la. And as we plunge deeper in Paul’s---and our---journey---our awe is matched by the tension of knowing that its very existence creates a risk that it will be destroyed. Almost an inevitability. It is here that we encounter the basis for Paul’s battle against this juggernaut. He is not traveling into the jungle to wrestle the largest snakes on earth; Paul and the snakes are on the same side. Rather his struggle is to overcome an even stronger force, the eco-destruction of modern times. And we realize from the strength of Paul’s will that he---and we—are strong enough and smart enough to prevail. We just need the kind of inspiration that Paul Rosolie lifts us with. Paul Rosolie's Mother of God is more than a thrilling adventure tale, it's an old-fashioned boy-meets-jungle love story. Be prepared to fall for it." - Mark Adams, author of Turn Right at Machu PichuWe call it ‘the Avatar tree’ a massive ficus on Las Piedras. An ancient treasure, one of thousands. Photo courtesy of Paul Rosolie.

Paul Rosolie: This is the most important question! Most people reading this book or this interview don’t live near a rainforest. But there are actually many ways to help from home, wherever you live. Paul Rosolie: There is a lot! People all over the globe are starting to care, to really actually care in a way that makes them want to take action. Even people who think in economic terms (countries/corporations) are beginning to realize that it’s better to have working oceans, intact ecosystems and forests etc. than to not have these systems. People are starting to realize that we really need nature. Even at my local grocery store, people now bring bags instead of using plastic. People are starting to care more about where their food comes from as well. It’s a small thing, but it is indicative of a larger shift in awareness and responsibility. Another thing was when the author described the 'rarely-seen landscape of floating islands' by moonlight. These floating islands were common on the lake where the river flowed very slowly through. They vary greatly in size from a small rug upwards. They are made up of matted grass roots, the beautiful water hyacinth and small bushes. I was told you can't walk on them, although the big ones will support your weight, because they are full of biting ants. Also, in the daytime, crocodiles hide under them for the shade. Unfortunately, and despite the author's best efforts, I found much of the writing in the book a bit too long-winded at times. A more rigorous editing could have improved the finished product, IMHO.Luntz, Stephen (November 5, 2014). "Man Claims He's Going To Put On A Snake-Proof Suit And Let An Anaconda Swallow Him On Camera". IFL Science . Retrieved April 27, 2019. Bittel, Jason (January 15, 2015). "Misssssssed Opportunities". National Resources Defense Council . Retrieved April 27, 2019. Paul, along with the others that have been chosen to help, will study the macaws and other animal life in the area. But when the work day is done and the other volunteers retire to rest Paul's adventure is only beginning. Instead of sleep he is off by himself exploring the trails through the jungle, soaking up all the sights and learning everything he can about this wondrous land. But also learns of the tragedy of encroachment by profiteers who would destroy this world for their own selfish purpose. My days were filled with fishing with seine nets and leaky pirogues, hunting with spears and dogs, music on tiny little guitars and panpipes and visiting the people who lived around the lake. I was most impressed by the medicine man who was as graceful and beautiful as a ballet dancer and who applied sound hygenic and herbal principles to his work, he wasn't a shaman. I learned how to catch crocodiles in my bare hands although I only did it once (it was enough!) Then we get to Paul himself. What a guy. The raw honesty in his words. He built strong relationships with real people, whom he described so warmly. And his introduction of his trouble school days was a nice touch and shows that if people are given the right environment, they can thrive. That was thought provoking. He seems to be an adrenaline junkie, in his words “another instance of wet paint and my need to touch the wall”. Approaching a wounded jaguar in a cave, was that really a good idea? Likewise, luring a caiman towards your tent with bait? Whilst most of this was charming, some of it troubled me. For example, when the caiman ate his mosquito net, his principal concern was for how vulnerable he would be from then on. And yet, I was wondering how the poor caiman would feel swallowing a net, I doubt that ended well for the crocodilian.

This is a bit like blaming people for the problems of pollution and Garbage on the planet when really it is industry, from cafes on up, that are responsible for over 95% of it. As long as it's the individual doing their best to be green, we will get swallowed by a massive wave of communal self-congratulation and governments, industry, banks and businessmen will continue on in their own sweet way, destroying the planet for money. This should not be an emotional issue as it is sold, it certainly isn't to industry or the banks. So that sentence of his and its import made me dnf this book. Benu, Parvathi (October 25, 2018). "Discovery's Eaten Alive guy is writing the 21st-century Jungle Book. Here's why it's awesome". Edex Live . Retrieved April 27, 2019. An old-fashioned jungle adventure, one with rare immediacy and depth of feeling for the people and creatures [Rosolie] encounters.” — Wall Street Journal

Mother of God

The last example I want to write about is his encounter with 'rare, fast-moving' morpho butterflies. So rare apparently that his Indian friend takes a leaf to wrap up a dead one the author found in a parcel. I was out hunting one day with the medicine man's son. We had two dogs with us and spears and found ourselves in a beautiful little glade with a small pool in the middle and sunlight shafting down from high up above the canopy. There were morphos everywhere! Although the author says they were very fast fliers, these ones were taking it easy. Their huge, hand-size wings, glimmering and shining all the blues a sky can be, as they glided around the glade sometimes settling on us. One brushed my cheek with a wing and left a drift of angel dust. It was like an enchantment. or so people lived around this lake which was so big it took a river motor boat 2.5 hours to sail around. A few people lived in houses on stilts, one with the most beautiful parquet floor a la William Morris I have ever seen, but most on floating houses. I lived in the latter. The dish-washing and toileting arrangements involved holes in the sweet-smelling wood floor with pirañas waiting to clean the plates or receive... offerings. Paul Rosolie: One of my biggest influences is without question Jane Goodall. When we were kids my mom would read stories about Dr. Goodall in Africa to me and my sister. She does so much work with children, and is a UN messenger of peace, and I think most people don’t realize that she is a complete badass. She traveled to Africa when she was only 23 at a time when girls didn’t do that kind of thing. There she began incredible work and made incredible discoveries that changed the way we view humans and nature. She is a champion of wildlife, and peace, and logic, and has been carrying the torch for decades. Her schedule even at 80 years old, requires traveling 300 days a year to inspire and teach people—she is completely incredible. Dr. Goodall’s generosity and care helped Mother of God to become a reality. If everyone followed her wisdom, the world would be a much better place. I found the book too long, potentially fabricated and definitely embellished. It reeks of part fantasy, part exaggeration and part cringy.