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wohnen's review
5.0
Companion book to the Louie Schwartzberg film about Paul Stamets and fungal research. A collection of essays, ruminations and recipes by a variety of academics and interested parties. Great for secondary sources and very inspiring for people new to, and familar with, the subject. Beautiful photos add an extra dimension to an already worthwhile book.
cameliarose's review
3.0
This is the companion book of the documentary film of the same name. It can be read independently. A lot of beautiful pictures. Some articles are transcripts; some are add-ons.
Fantastic Fungi offers a good overview of fungi. Along with the documentary film, it has changed my view on fungi. It covers various aspects of the fungi kingdom. There are three parts:
For the planet:
- How mycelium works and what mycelium network does to the planet
- Using fungi to fight pollution
- Using fungi in viral/bacteria control
For the body:
- Edible mushrooms (morels, truffles, button mushrooms, shiitake, etc...)
- Grow your own mushrooms
- Medicinal and medical mushrooms (turkey tail, chaga, lion's mane, reishi, Agarikon, etc...)
For the spirit: psychoactive mushrooms; Michael Pollan contributed a chapter.
Turkey Tail is δΊθ, and Reishi is η΅θ in Chinese. Both have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for hundreds of years. Although I don't believe their miraculous effects as described in ancient literature, I am happy to have learned that modern science is proving their medical benefit in boosting immune system for cancer patients going through chemo therapies.
I should try to grow some morels in my shed.
Fantastic Fungi offers a good overview of fungi. Along with the documentary film, it has changed my view on fungi. It covers various aspects of the fungi kingdom. There are three parts:
For the planet:
- How mycelium works and what mycelium network does to the planet
- Using fungi to fight pollution
- Using fungi in viral/bacteria control
For the body:
- Edible mushrooms (morels, truffles, button mushrooms, shiitake, etc...)
- Grow your own mushrooms
- Medicinal and medical mushrooms (turkey tail, chaga, lion's mane, reishi, Agarikon, etc...)
For the spirit: psychoactive mushrooms; Michael Pollan contributed a chapter.
Turkey Tail is δΊθ, and Reishi is η΅θ in Chinese. Both have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for hundreds of years. Although I don't believe their miraculous effects as described in ancient literature, I am happy to have learned that modern science is proving their medical benefit in boosting immune system for cancer patients going through chemo therapies.
I should try to grow some morels in my shed.
geek_mama's review
4.0
A nice companion book to the documentary, but it can be read on its own.
The documentary focuses heavily on Paul Stamets, but this book has great essays written by other mycologists.
The photographs in this book are stunning!
The documentary focuses heavily on Paul Stamets, but this book has great essays written by other mycologists.
The photographs in this book are stunning!
aschweigert's review
3.0
The essays are pretty short and surface level (though a few are pretty good). Beautiful photos though!
darkly_danie13's review
5.0
A Myco must
A thoughtful collection of knowledge, musings, and rhapsodic waxing for the myco revolution. Originally inspired to read this book after watching the Fantastic Fungi documentary I am happy to see the book is a soul sister of sorts and have enjoyed my journey through the latest on radical mycology. If you are a fan of fungi, closet naturalist, or concerned about our declining environment (as we all should be) this is a book for you.
A thoughtful collection of knowledge, musings, and rhapsodic waxing for the myco revolution. Originally inspired to read this book after watching the Fantastic Fungi documentary I am happy to see the book is a soul sister of sorts and have enjoyed my journey through the latest on radical mycology. If you are a fan of fungi, closet naturalist, or concerned about our declining environment (as we all should be) this is a book for you.
rachelcadams's review
5.0
A truly beautiful complement to the documentary of the same name. I appreciated the organic organization, development, and presentation of ideas and insights in this book, and look forward to revisiting it (not to mention the photos!).
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