Fungipedia: A Brief Compendium of Mushroom Lore

by Lawrence Millman Narrated by Al Kessel

Overview

An illustrated mini-encyclopedia of fungal lore, from John Cage and Terrence McKenna to mushroom sex and fairy rings.



Fungipedia presents a delightful A-Z treasury of mushroom lore. With more than 180 entries-on topics as varied as Alice in Wonderland, chestnut blight, medicinal mushrooms, poisonings, Santa Claus, and waxy caps-this collection will transport both general readers and specialists into the remarkable universe of fungi.



Combining ecological, ethnographic, historical, and contemporary knowledge, author and mycologist Lawrence Millman discusses how mushrooms are much more closely related to humans than to plants, how they engage in sex, how insects farm them, and how certain species happily dine on leftover radiation, cockroach antennae, and dung. He explores the lives of individuals like African American scientist George Washington Carver, who specialized in crop diseases caused by fungi; Beatrix Potter, creator of Peter Rabbit, who was prevented from becoming a professional mycologist because she was a woman; and Gordon Wasson, a J. P. Morgan vice-president who almost single-handedly introduced the world to magic mushrooms. Millman considers why fungi are among the most significant organisms on our planet and how they are currently being affected by destructive human behavior, including climate change.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

One of American Institute of Graphic Arts’ Top 50 Books / 50 Covers of 2021

Inquisitive Biologist

"A delightful little introduction to the world of fungi. . . . a whimsical 184-page A-Z miscellany that could be slipped into your back pocket . . . even seasoned mycologists will here find things to entertain and enlighten them."

IMA Fungus

"I found this a delightful little book, a mini-encyclopaedia, hardback, and at just 4.5 × 6.75 ins,
easy to slip into a pocket and dip in and out of on a bus or metro journey. An ideal Christmas stocking-filler for both mycologists, whether “amateur” or “professional”, and inquisitive naturalists.

"

Life: The Excitement of Biology

"We enjoyed this book immensely and recommend it wholeheartedly to those eager to have a delightful entrée into the world of fungi."

Essex Birding

"It could best be described as a light, whimsical, yet extremely knowledgeable dip into the world of mycology. . . . Whether you are interested in fungi or not, I think this book will appeal."

Literary Hub

"The cultural encyclopedia of mushrooms that we need right now."

Myco News 2019

"

I found this a delightful little book, a mini-encyclopaedia, hardback, and at just 4.5 × 6.75 ins,
easy to slip into a pocket and dip in and out of on a bus or metro journey. An ideal Christmas stocking-filler for both mycologists, whether “amateur” or “professional”, and inquisitive naturalists.

"

MARCH 2020 - AudioFile

Most listeners will likely enjoy this bright and whimsical survey of fungi and their associated lore—so entertainingly narrated by the skilled Al Kessel. With references that include ALICE IN WONDERLAND and George Washington Carver, the alphabetically sequenced work does not regiment the plethora of stories and myth-filled fun. Lawrence Millman, a mycologist, explains elegant mysteries of the mushroom world to the degree possible today. Listening to Kessel’s wry tone and careful phrasing, one will forage through this relatively exhaustive work quickly and happily. While the physical book has attractive line drawings of mushroom varieties, the storytelling style of the narration provides the special gift of easy comprehension. W.A.G. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940174028814
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Publication date:	10/29/2019
Edition description:	Unabridged

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