The overnight appearance of mushrooms in a meadow or on a suburban lawn is a marvelous sight. It is one of many awe-inspiring, magical processes that have evolved among the fungi, yet this group remains the least studied and most poorly understood kingdom of organisms. In Mushroom, Nicholas Money offers a vibrant introduction to the world of mushrooms, investigating the science behind these organisms as well as their enduring cultural and imaginative
appeal. Beginning with the basics of mushroom biology, Money leads us through a history of mushroom research, painting portraits of the colorful characters involved in their study--among them, Beatrix Potter, the
celebrated author and creator of Peter Rabbit, and Captain Charles McIlvaine, a Civil War veteran who engaged in a dangerous quest to determine the edibility of every mushroom in North America. Money also discusses the uses of mushrooms today, exploring their importance as food and medicine, their use as recreational drugs, and as the cause of horrific poisonings. A cultural, natural, and scientific history in one, Mushroom is a must-read for mycophiles, mushroom gatherers, and nature
lovers alike.
The overnight appearance of mushrooms in a meadow or on a suburban lawn is a marvelous sight. It is one of many awe-inspiring, magical processes that have evolved among the fungi, yet this group remains the least studied and most poorly understood kingdom of organisms. In Mushroom, Nicholas Money offers a vibrant introduction to the world of mushrooms, investigating the science behind these organisms as well as their enduring cultural and imaginative
appeal. Beginning with the basics of mushroom biology, Money leads us through a history of mushroom research, painting portraits of the colorful characters involved in their study--among them, Beatrix Potter, the
celebrated author and creator of Peter Rabbit, and Captain Charles McIlvaine, a Civil War veteran who engaged in a dangerous quest to determine the edibility of every mushroom in North America. Money also discusses the uses of mushrooms today, exploring their importance as food and medicine, their use as recreational drugs, and as the cause of horrific poisonings. A cultural, natural, and scientific history in one, Mushroom is a must-read for mycophiles, mushroom gatherers, and nature
lovers alike.
Preface
Chapter 1: Angels on the Lawn: How Mushrooms Develop
Chapter 2: Gill Gymnastics: The Beautiful Mechanism of Mushroom
Spore Release
Chapter 3: Triumph of the Fungi: Diversity and Functions of
Mushroom
Chapter 4: Satan's Gourmand: Harvesting Wild Mushrooms
Chapter 5: Snow White and Baby Bella: Global Industry of Mushroom
Cultivation
Chapter 6: Death Caps: Poisonous Mushrooms and Mushroom
Poisoning
Chapter 7: Magic Mushrooms: The Culture and Science of
Hallucinogenic Mushrooms
Chapter 8: Cures for Mortality?: The Medicinal Mushroom Fraud
Notes
Index
Nicholas P. Money is Professor of Botany at Miami University and author of The Triumph of the Fungi, Carpet Monsters and Killer Spores, and Mr. Bloomfield's Orchard.
"Botanist Nicholas Money is unashamedly in thrall to the 'fungal
sex organ'. In this brilliant scientific and cultural exploration,
these organisms of rot and soil positively sparkle." - Nature
"This book was fascinating! The main cause of this is, without a
doubt, the author, Nicholas P. Money. You can tell that this is the
kind of professor that loves his craft." - Scientific American,
Blog
"Mushroom is a compelling read for anyone with even a tinge of
interest in the natural flavor of fungi." - Audubon Magazine
"At its core, Mushroom is an excellent natural history, but it's
much more ... In a very short space, Money offers a fungus primer
which would probably earn you an "A" in mycology (if you can retain
all of the details of biology, chemistry and engineering) as well
as a fascinating history of our relationship to this remarkable
life form." - Corvallis Advocate
"Money offers preemptive reassurance that the magic of mushrooms
will not be spoiled by revelation of their tricks, which he
explains in some detail...he reveals his passion for mushrooms with
a sheepishness that is unusual in nature writing. But mushrooms are
unusual." -- SCIENCE
"As was the case with his earlier books (e.g., The Triumph of the
Fungi, Feb'07; Mr. Bloomfield's Orchard, Feb'03), Money's recent
book on mushrooms, designed to bring knowledge of fungi to
nonmycologists, is excellent. ... The information is detailed and
current. Highly recommended." -- Choice
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