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Radical Mycology: A Treatise On Seeing & Working With Fungi
Fungi are found throughout the world, often playing critical roles at the center of all ecological webs. As culturally important foods and medicines, as well as instigators of religious practices, they have been intimately tied to the development and spread of human societies. And yet, despite their numerous influences on the history of the world, fungi are completely disregarded by the majority of people today.
In 2006 Peter McCoy founded Radical Mycology, a grassroots organization dedicated to increasing awareness of the many ways to work with fungi for personal, societal, and ecological health. Nearly a decade later, McCoy has written Radical Mycology to share the wide array of skills and insights that have arisen from the organization’s international work to advance the science of appropriately applied mycology. Shattering commonly held beliefs on the value of the Fungal Queendom, Radical Mycology definitively explores the many reasons that fungi should no longer be ignored but instead honored and embraced for the many gifts they offer. The result is the most comprehensive book on mycology—the science of fungi—ever published.
Interwoven with short essays on the lessons of the fungi, Radial Mycology begins with chapters that explore the uniqueness of fungal biology, the critical ecological roles of micro and macro fungi, how to accurately identify mushrooms and mycorrhizal fungi, the importance of lichens as medicines and indicators of environmental quality, and the profound influences that fungi have held on the evolution of all life and human cultures. With this foundation laid, the reader is then equipped to work with the fungi directly. Techniques for making potent fungal medicines, growing fermenting fungi for food, and cheaply cultivating mushrooms using recycled tools (and yet still achieving lab-quality results) are explored in-depth. Subsequent chapters grow far beyond the limits of other books on mushrooms. Detailed information on the principles and practices of natural mushroom farming—largely influenced by the design system of permaculture—is presented along with extensive information on cultivating mycorrhizal fungi and the science of mycoremediation, the application of fungi to mitigate pollution in the environment and in our homes. The book ends with deeper insights into the social effects that fungi present from the reflection of mycelial networks in the design of whole societies to a rigorous examination of the history of psychoactive fungi.
Written for the beginner as well as the experienced mycologist, Radical Mycology is an invaluable reference book for anyone interested in Do-It-Yourself (or Do-It-Together) homesteading, community organizing, food security, natural medicine, grassroots bioremediation, and the evolution of human-fungal-ecological relations. More than a book on mushrooms, Radical Mycology is a call to ally with the fungi in all efforts to spawn a healthier world. Heavily referenced and vibrantly illustrated by the author, this unprecedented book will undoubtedly remain a classic for generations to come.
In 2006 Peter McCoy founded Radical Mycology, a grassroots organization dedicated to increasing awareness of the many ways to work with fungi for personal, societal, and ecological health. Nearly a decade later, McCoy has written Radical Mycology to share the wide array of skills and insights that have arisen from the organization’s international work to advance the science of appropriately applied mycology. Shattering commonly held beliefs on the value of the Fungal Queendom, Radical Mycology definitively explores the many reasons that fungi should no longer be ignored but instead honored and embraced for the many gifts they offer. The result is the most comprehensive book on mycology—the science of fungi—ever published.
Interwoven with short essays on the lessons of the fungi, Radial Mycology begins with chapters that explore the uniqueness of fungal biology, the critical ecological roles of micro and macro fungi, how to accurately identify mushrooms and mycorrhizal fungi, the importance of lichens as medicines and indicators of environmental quality, and the profound influences that fungi have held on the evolution of all life and human cultures. With this foundation laid, the reader is then equipped to work with the fungi directly. Techniques for making potent fungal medicines, growing fermenting fungi for food, and cheaply cultivating mushrooms using recycled tools (and yet still achieving lab-quality results) are explored in-depth. Subsequent chapters grow far beyond the limits of other books on mushrooms. Detailed information on the principles and practices of natural mushroom farming—largely influenced by the design system of permaculture—is presented along with extensive information on cultivating mycorrhizal fungi and the science of mycoremediation, the application of fungi to mitigate pollution in the environment and in our homes. The book ends with deeper insights into the social effects that fungi present from the reflection of mycelial networks in the design of whole societies to a rigorous examination of the history of psychoactive fungi.
Written for the beginner as well as the experienced mycologist, Radical Mycology is an invaluable reference book for anyone interested in Do-It-Yourself (or Do-It-Together) homesteading, community organizing, food security, natural medicine, grassroots bioremediation, and the evolution of human-fungal-ecological relations. More than a book on mushrooms, Radical Mycology is a call to ally with the fungi in all efforts to spawn a healthier world. Heavily referenced and vibrantly illustrated by the author, this unprecedented book will undoubtedly remain a classic for generations to come.
672 pages, Paperback
Published February 2, 2016
136 people are currently reading
4270 people want to read
About the author
Peter McCoy
3 books44 followersSelf-taught (gaining knowledge and experience for sixteen years!) mycologist Peter McCoy is an original founder of Radical Mycology, a grassroots movement and organization that teaches how to work with fungi for societal, personal, and ecological resilience. He's the mycology advisor for Open Source Ecology and Permaculture Magazine North America, lead cultivation expert for the Amazon Mycorenewal Project, and a recurring guest on the Permaculture Voices Podcast, as well as a musician, artist, lecturer, community organizer, and teacher. McCoy lives in Portland, Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 22, 2020
Finishing this has been a work of dedication, mainly because I found it hard to get through a chapter without making extensive notes, copying diagrams, opening up Wikipedia and then telling everyone I know about the incredible science I just read.
This book has committment, nuance, depth. I really respect and appreciate McCoy's dedication to bringing it all together.
This book has committment, nuance, depth. I really respect and appreciate McCoy's dedication to bringing it all together.
June 14, 2016
My copy came via Goodreads giveaways.
I have not yet read the whole book, but it's clear that the author 'radically' envisions a future involving more (some mutually-)beneficial interactions (symbioses?) between humans and mushrooms. The illustrations are both attractive and helpful, apparently for beginners (like me) and pros alike. he sees mycology becoming "a people's science"; as long as risks are managed appropriately, it sounds promising to me...
I have not yet read the whole book, but it's clear that the author 'radically' envisions a future involving more (some mutually-)beneficial interactions (symbioses?) between humans and mushrooms. The illustrations are both attractive and helpful, apparently for beginners (like me) and pros alike. he sees mycology becoming "a people's science"; as long as risks are managed appropriately, it sounds promising to me...
October 21, 2022
Radical Mycology is Peter McCoy's tome on everything mushroomy. The bulk of its heft is on DIY mushroom cultivation, but he didn't leave anything out. I go to it to check anything I want to know about mushrooms. 'Are their connections between mushrooms and lightening?' Check RadMyc. ' How do mushrooms have sex?' Check RadMyc. ' Are there mushrooms on Mars?' Check RadMyc.
He aims to make Mycological knowledge accessible for all and runs the Radical Mycology Convergence, Mycologos online mushroom school and the Fungi Film Fest.
He aims to make Mycological knowledge accessible for all and runs the Radical Mycology Convergence, Mycologos online mushroom school and the Fungi Film Fest.
December 23, 2023
This book is exhaustively comprehensive and it’s just perfect. I’m having a hard time finding mycology anything at the university I’m getting my BS at so im trying to teach myself and this book has basically become my bible of myco knowledge, especially for remediation techniques. Most importantly I learned what I need to learn to get into mycoremediation, and the book gave me tons of other resources that will probably keep me busy for years. This book is a must have for anyone interested in mycology.
April 26, 2020
Great book to expose yourself to the diversity of the fungal Kingdom. Covering biology, organic chemistry, mushroom hunting, cultivation, dyeing, lichen, and much more.
If you want to learn more about wild edible mushrooms and plants, check out @mnforager on instagram and Ironwood Foraging Co. on facebook and at IronwoodForaging.com
If you want to learn more about wild edible mushrooms and plants, check out @mnforager on instagram and Ironwood Foraging Co. on facebook and at IronwoodForaging.com
November 24, 2024
Peter is quite a creative writer. He manages to combine science with eloquence and imagination. I learned so much reading this book and I share it with anyone who will listen.
December 15, 2020
this is an epic tome... but so so good that I read it cover to cover.
I'm so glad this exists for the sake of humanity
this is a wild project Peter & u nailed it
excited to read what u have to say about mushroom psychology...
I'm so glad this exists for the sake of humanity
this is a wild project Peter & u nailed it
excited to read what u have to say about mushroom psychology...
June 25, 2016
Never knew there was so information about mushrooms.Excellent resource
July 22, 2016
This was a wonderful book. It really is the cutting edge of Mycology today. I cant wait to see what else McCoy will publish next!
August 5, 2020
A fantastic work for those wanting a deep understanding of mycology. Well written and researched, Peter lays down his knowledge while striking a perfect balance of theory and practice.
January 20, 2021
Really a remarkable treatise on all aspects of mycology – both scientific and mythological. It really made me think more about the role in my current life and in the evolution of species and planet.
April 20, 2022
One of the coolest books in my entire collection. It's a hefty and long read, definitely something to be looked through time and time again!! Such a wealth of information
January 6, 2023
Fantastic compilation of many great mycelial thinkers. As a professional mycology teacher, I can't recommend this book enough
February 7, 2023
Mushroom communism needs to be a thing
December 7, 2018
ITS MORE OF AN ENCYCLOPEDIA SO...
July 12, 2019
If you eat food this is essential reading . . .
April 4, 2022
A fantastic read for all interested in mycology.
December 18, 2021
Three stars because while it presents itself as some textbook-like tome and many of its chapters are jam packed with incredible well-sourced knowledge, it occasionally lends itself to points bolstered only by confirmation bias.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews