Fantastic Fungi: How Mushrooms Can Heal, Shift Consciousness, and Save the Planet

by Paul Stamets (Editor), Louie Schwartzberg (Foreword), Eugenia Bone (Contributor)

Companion to the film Fantastic Fungi.

Contributions from Michael Pollan, Andrew Weil, Eugenia Bone, and many more experts make Fantastic Fungi an awe-inspiring visual journey through the exotic, little-known realm of fungi and its amazing potential to positively influence our lives.

An all-star team of professional and amateur mycologists, artists, foodies, ecologists, doctors, and explorers joined forces with time-lapse master Louie Schwartzberg to create Fantastic Fungi, the life-affirming, mind-bending film about mushrooms and their mysterious interwoven rootlike filaments called mycelium. What this team reveals will blow your mind and possibly save the planet. This visually compelling companion book of the same name, edited by preeminent mycologist Paul Stamets, will expand upon the film in every way through extended transcripts, new essays and interviews, and additional facts about the fantastic realm of fungi.

Fantastic Fungi is at the forefront of a mycological revolution that is quickly going mainstream. In this book, learn about the incredible communication network of mycelium under our feet, which has the proven ability to restore the planet’s ecosystems, repair our health, and resurrect our symbiotic relationship with nature. Fantastic Fungi aspires to educate and inspire the reader in three critical areas: First, the text showcases research that reveals mushrooms as a viable alternative to Western pharmacology. Second, it explores studies pointing to mycelium as a solution to our gravest environmental challenges. And, finally, it details fungi’s marvelous proven ability to shift consciousness. 

Motivating both the visually stunning film and this follow-up book is an urgent mission to change human consciousness and restore our planet.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Science, Biology, Health, Environment, Psychology

184 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2019

About the author

Stamets is on the editorial board of The International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, and is an advisor to the Program for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona Medical School, Tucson, Arizona. He is active in researching the medicinal properties of mushrooms,[2] and is involved in two NIH-funded clinical studies on cancer and HIV treatments using mushrooms as adjunct therapies. Having filed numerous patents on the antiviral, pesticidal, and remediative properties of mushroom mycelia, his work has been called pioneering and visionary.[3] A strong advocate of preserving biodiversity, Stamets supports research into the role of mushrooms for ecological restoration.

The author of numerous books and papers on the subject of mushroom identification and cultivation, Stamets has discovered four new species of mushrooms. He is an advocate of the permaculture system of growing, and considers fungiculture a valuable but underutilized aspect of permaculture. He is also a leading researcher into the use of mushrooms in bioremediation, processes he terms mycoremediation and mycofiltration.

Stamets was the recipient of the "Bioneers Award" from The Collective Heritage Institute in 1998,[4] as well as the "Founder of a New Northwest Award" from the Pacific Rim Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils in 1999. He was also named one of Utne Reader's "50 Visionaries Who Are Changing Your World" in their November–December 2008 issue. In February 2010, Paul received the President's Award from the Society for Ecological Restoration: Northwest Chapter, in recognition of his contributions to Ecological Restoration. His work was featured in the documentary film The 11th Hour.[5] He has also been featured in the eco-documentary films Dirt (film)[6] and 2012, Time for a Change (film).[7]

In 2008, he delivered a TED talk: "Paul Stamets on 6 Ways Mushrooms Can Save the World".

Reviews

[Camelia Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 云芝, and Reishi is 灵芝 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.

[Eduardo Santiago · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sublime. It's sometimes hard to concentrate on the text, because the photos are so exquisitely distractingly beautiful. Make the effort anyway. Many voices, culturally diverse, offering perspectives and findings you may not have heard before -- there is much new to me here.

[Update 2019-12-25] I just read it again; slowly, savoring it. I love the organization (For the Planet; For the Body; For the Spirit). Love the content: voices filled with hope and promise.

[Katrina McCollough · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ll forward this critique with the fact that for a long time Paul Stamets was my hero and I’m studying to be a mycologist so the topic of this book speaks to my soul. However, in the years following his TED talk I’ve found that Stamets makes a lot of claims without scientific studies to back them up. And also, can we stop perpetrating the myth about berserkers and amanitas? In one sentence he’s talking about how they make people go berserk but the next talking about how reindeers are docile after drinking amanita pee. Anyone who’s tripped knows that a berserker rage is far from your motivation, and his part about the bees, I want to believe but I’m just skeptical about everything Stamets says. So that’s my review like 10 pages in.

— this is a great intro book for people who don’t know much about mushrooms and want to know what all the hype is about. There’s no way all those mushrooms in the book are actually unidentified though, they should have gotten Alan Rockefeller’s identification services.

[Elentarri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is apparently a companion to the film Fantastic Fungi (which I haven't seen). I listened to the audiobook and found the narrator to be ok, but not gifted in narration. The book deals with a variety of fungi related topics, with each chapter being written by a different person involved with fungi in one way or another. The contributors consist of a team of professional and amateur mycologists, artists, foodies, ecologists, doctors, explorers, and time-lapse master Louie Schwartzberg (hence the film). I especially enjoyed the chapters on myco-remediation, medicinal uses of mushrooms, and the uses bees have for mushrooms. However, the "save the Earth" message was rather heavy-handed (i.e. a hammer was involved). A nice overview of the current state of a fascinating subject.

PS: I understand the paper version of this book has many colour photographs, so that may be the way to go, instead of listening to the audiobook?

[Marzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful companion to the lauded documentary about Paul Stamets' life's work researching fungi, mycelial networks, and the effects of fungi on human health and psychoactivity. With distractingly beautiful photography, this book reiterates in written form all of the amazing facts about fungi and their vital importance to our planet as described in the film. I cannot recommend the book and film highly enough.

Stamets' earlier books, more technical and specialized, are a natural followup for those looking to further their study of gourmet, medicinal and psychoactive mushrooms, along with the immense potential of mycelial growth for mycoremediation, mycofiltration, mycoforestry and even pest control through mycopesticides for organic farming.

[Riccardo Mazzocchio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fantastic reading...da questo libro è stato tratto un documentario/film molto didattico e piacevole. Un mondo nascosto da conoscere e onorare a cui dobbiamo la vita sulla terra.

[Anna B · Rating 5 out of 5]

*chef’s kiss* a glorious stroll through the benefits, both current and potential, of fungi on the planet, on our bodies, and on our spirit. super cool photography throughout!

[Brad Dunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This feels more like a coffee table book than something you really dive into - but I bought it to support the movie by the same name, which is by far a 5 star endeavour. Great pictures though, if you want some really amazing fungi photography, there is something in this for you but the reading content, which is written by so many different people, is a bit disjointed so makes for a tricky read in one sitting.

Paul Stamets is a 5 star human though.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful photos of secret lives

Mushrooms are the Swiss Army in knives of the earth. Aside from they're stunning beauty, they are masters at their jobs whether it is communication, enlightenment, nourishment for plants and animals, of cleaning up of messes. We need them more than they need us. Maybe the meek will inherit the earth.

[Sharon Yulong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul Stamets è il più importante micologo statunitense. I funghi, che ovunque prosperano, nutrono il corpo e sono una Medicina x l'anima e la psiche. Sono insolite creature misteriose, antichi esseri straordinari che rappresentano una porzione enorme di tutto ciò che ci circonda ogni giorno, siamo immersi; sono al nostro servizio eppure rimangono un mistero. Ci indicano sempre una strada verso un futuro migliore e poi in silenzio scompaiono... Si tratta del mondo invisibile che sostiene quello visibile.
La passione per i funghi cresce dentro a poco a poco ma inesorabilmente. Un micelio che si fa strada attraverso il tempo, un ponte gettato dagli antenati verso di noi. Dei portali dall'intelligenza innata e il collante nei regni di piante e animali rendendo i nutrienti biodisponibili. La natura si aiuta a vicenda per i pericoli circostanti. Esempio perfetto le api, che si curano coi funghi. Scoperta sorprendente e di vitale importanza per tutti.
Il micelio è una rete sotterranea vibrante di filamenti in un ciclo continuo di equilibrio, e privato di questo processo metamorfico il pianeta soffocherebbe. Rigenerazione e ripristino per la sostenibilità. Simbiosi. Cooperazione. Tutto è Uno.
Da qui, mi collego alla biomimesi (e micomimesi) che è la scienza e l'arte di risolvere i complessi problemi dell'uomo traendo ispirazione dalla natura. I funghi sono metabolicamente ingegnosi. Non possiamo ignorare ciò che succede intorno a noi, stiamo per raggiungere l'apice di un collasso ecologico che causa povertà, fame e guerre. Molti di noi sono affetti da "disturbo da deficit di natura". Tuttavia, abbiamo tutti gli strumenti per affrontare questa sfida, che richiede una diversa mentalità, un cambio di paradigma nella nostra consapevolezza, che possa aiutarci a vedere in modo olistico, rafforzando le difese dell'intero ecosistema. Non abbiamo altra scelta.
Quando ci nutriamo di un alimento selvatico locale la nostra percezione s'intensifica. La specialità dei funghi è quella di scomporre la materia e riciclarla. Quando li mangiamo ci aiutano a disfarci di ciò che è dentro di noi e di cui non abbiamo più bisogno. Bisogna avere un rapporto col cibo che si mangia.
L'ultima sezione riguarda la terapia psichedelica; vari studi empirici hanno verificato e confermato che i funghetti cosiddetti "magici" inducono esperienze - spirituali - capaci di cambiare le persone in meglio su diversi aspetti e in differenti condizioni. Quindi, racchiudono un'importanza enorme, una chimica geniale e infinite possibilità di impiego che sono solo da scoprire, un bisogno comune, una ricerca dell'illuminazione. Porte della trascendenza e di interconnessione, gli psichedelici stanno alla psicologia come il telescopio sta all'astronomia (per comprendere i nostri mondi interiori abbiamo bisogno degli strumenti adatti). I migliori catalizzatori per risvegliare questo sacro senso della natura, della libertà, pace, gioia e gratitudine. È giunto il tempo di liberarci dal timore di non avere un'anima. Il cuore si apre ed emerge qualcosa di primordiale. Essere animati dal respiro, perché siamo stranamente invisibili a noi stessi.
La conoscenza fa battere il cuore, vuole essere saziata e questo libro fa il suo dovere superando pregiudizi inutili. In Svizzera per esempio, nelle cliniche già utilizzano sostanze psichedeliche per far fronte a depressione, dipendenze, malattie; curioso no? Infatti questi, come l'LSD, non creano dipendenza e hanno una tossicità quasi nulla. Molto peggio l'armadietto dei vostri medicinali, o le sigarette. La psilocibina fa in trenta secondi ciò che gli antidepressivi tradizionali fanno in un mese.
Insomma, una guarigione mistica e intuizioni profonde, genuine. Facilitatori degli stati alterati della coscienza, che visti con gli occhi giusti, danno senso alla vita, e alla morte.
È stato potente, è qualcosa di rivoluzionario che va oltre ogni altra cosa. La prova che la magia esiste. Avevo già visto il docufilm, ma questo libro è stato evocativo, incantevole, significativo, espansivo. Con bellissime foto dettagliate.
Non è mai troppo tardi per seguire i propri sogni e ci sono altri modi di vivere che aspettano solo di essere scoperti. Siamo un riflesso dell'ambiente in cui cresciamo e si può arrivare in luoghi incredibili. Quando siamo generosi con la natura, essa risponde con gentilezza: è progettata per incentivare la nostra bontà di base. Ricordiamoci che l'estinzione di massa ci sta inseguendo e la soluzione è reagire e divulgare. Da luogo di estinzione ad ecosistema fiorente.
"I funghi mi danno energia - sono le mie vitamine. Mi basta solo pensarci per iniziare a sentire l'eccitazione"
#micofilia 🍄

[Brittin · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Only about 10% (20,000) of all fungi (3.8 million) produce mushrooms (the fruiting bodies of fungi). But when you pick a mushroom, you stand upon a vast, hidden network of fungal mycelium that literally extends under every footstep you take. These networks are the foundation of life."

Wow. Mushrooms aren't just a pretty face. After years of taking photos of mushrooms I was excited to learn a bit more about them and fungi in general. I'm AMAZED at the role fungi plays in nature, medicine, food, and it's potential to literally fight climate change.

"There's a rapidly growing recognition that nature can teach us all the solutions we need to restore sustainability and create a viable future for the planet and its species – including humans."

I also learned that fungi is more closely related to animals (including humans) than plants, whattt? But Brittin, aren't mushrooms plants? THEY ARE NOT! Often missing from our discussion on nature and environmental efforts alongside flora and fawna is...fungi! A separate but hugely important kingdom all together.

I could go on but just read the book or watch the accompanying documentary by the same name. P.s. there are lots of gorgeous photos in this book too - I think I would faint if I saw some of them in person, just unreal.

Can I call myself a mycophile (people who are fascinated with mushrooms) yet?

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one beautiful book. The photography is exquisite and you can feel the quality of the pages etc. I like the concept of the short essays and thought that the way they were organized was logical and provided a nice broad examination of the endless potential (andy mystery) of fungi. I did think that some of the essays were underdeveloped, probably because there was an evident word limit that seemed challenging to fit an adequate overview of some of the research/concepts into. In that sense, I also thought that some of the conclusions were rather abrupt, but the essays did provide very digestible snippets into different work going on with fungi, and readers can always look further into the research of any authors they found particularly intriguing.

[Dian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book that accompanies the documentary of the same name. This is a collection of short essays and writings that discuss many aspects of mycology in a wonderful overview. The pictures are lovely and it gave me a lot to think about. I look forward to delving deeper into this subject.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wild!

[Beatrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing very cool

[Rik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating book about fungi and mushrooms, never realized watch an important role fungi play in our ecosystem

[Yuki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of excellent essays and gorgeous photographs was published in 2019, pre-COVID-19 pandemic, and I wonder how much longer it will be for this knowledge, wisdom, and passion of mycologists to become more mainstream.
It is essential that we protect old-growth forests and the biodiversity of their ecosystems because they have within them fungal species that could be critical for human survival. If there's a smallpox pandemic today and our smallpox drugs are inadequate at mitigating the spread, or a virus mutates into a human variant of H5N1 bird flu that sweeps the landscape, you can imagine what might happen. If we lose an old-growth forest mushroom species like agarikon, which I know is active against those viruses, and it happens to be the one strain--a super strain--that can fight these viruses, what then? Would you rather cut the forest for a few hundred thousand dollars, or save the forest and its resident mushrooms because of their potential to prevent a medical catastrophe?

We occupy this planet together and need to protect what we have because the health of the ecosystem directly affects the health of each of us. We are only scratching the surface of the medicinal potential of mushrooms found throughout the world. Human health and the health of the species that support us are intertwined. So let's keep working collectively to ensure a sustainable future. We really have no other choice." Paul Stamets, Ch. 16 Our Global Immune System

[Ezlyh Gutierrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every word a reminder that we’re all connected, all part of the same intricate, beautiful web.

I find so much joy in cultivating mushrooms. My journey started with Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms by Paul Stamets, and I was instantly hooked. But it was Fantastic Fungi that opened my eyes to the activism. The role mushrooms play in the healing of the entire planet.

The book’s chapter on biomimicry made me genuinely excited about the future of Earth, something I hadn’t felt in a long time. Learning about mycorrhizal fungi gave me a new appreciation for chanterelles and truffles and why they’re so hard to cultivate. The more I read, the more I realized: the learning never ends. I completely understand why people dedicate their lives to these mysterious beings, I have too.

In a culture that glorifies individualism, mushrooms are a reminder that nothing thrives alone. Mycelium is the literal blueprint for interconnectedness. That’s why I resonated so deeply with the moment Paul describes stumbling across a mycological society and saying, “I’ve been looking for you.” That’s exactly how I felt when I found the Mycological Society in my area. I’d finally found my mycelial network. And thanks to Paul, mushrooms are finally breaking into the mainstream deeper and deeper with each passing year.

A Note on Paul Stamets:
There’s a growing trend where some mycophiles flex on being “beyond” Paul Stamets. Rejecting his work because of outdated claims or bold marketing. But science evolves. If you’re not willing to be wrong, you’re not practicing science, you’re practicing ego. Paul was never claiming perfection; he was experimenting, exploring, and inviting others to do the same.

You can critique data or methodology without erasing someone’s impact. Paul kicked the door open for so many of us. Making mycology visible. Whether you’re spiritual, scientific, or somewhere in between, credit is due: this man helped bring mushrooms out of the shadows and into the world’s imagination.

Mycology doesn’t need gatekeepers, it needs gardeners. People who will tend to the truth, the land, and each other. And whether you arrived through Paul Stamets or foraged your own way here, you’re part of something much bigger.

[Marco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely overview about all the different facets of mushrooms.
The pictures are beautiful.

Don't expect an in depth explanation of the world of mushrooms, but more of a summary of all the different uses and applications of them.

[Erich King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a lovely book to experience. Recommended.

[Jennifer Mafnas · Rating 5 out of 5]

gorgeous photos.
i knew fungi were powerful. beautifully designed and written book, really ignites interest for the possibilities of helping our environment and our population. i’m an easy audience member though, already believing in the healing power of psychedelics. some note and highlights:

the mycelium network connects living beings so life can flourish and we can live in harmony with the earth.

pollination is a keystone event, a magical intersection and interaction between the animal and plant kingdoms that happens billions of times each day. a symbiotic community allows these ecosystems to flourish. what a beautiful inspirational model for how human beings might live, in a shared economy not based on greed but on nurturing relationships and mutual cooperation.

fungi, along with the plant partners can be the greatest fastest natural solution to climate change

the problem we face today is that we live in artificial realities wherein we invent our own facts.

you can’t discuss the innate intelligence of nature without acknowledging the mystery of mycelium and mushrooms. mycelium networks are not only equivalent in design to our own neural pathways but also similar in how they use electrolytes and electrical pulses.
they support life. they convert life. they carry life. they recycle life. they can heal. they clean up the environment. they can shift our consciousness. they can survive virtually anything.

carbon absorbed by fungi can stay underground for thousands of years- even after the mycelium dies, the carbon stays locked in- building a carbon reserve for future. 70% of the biological carbon in soil is fungi both living and dead. fungi builds soil, which expands the carrying capacity of the ecosystem and thus the capacity for adding biodiversity.

if we included the third F wherever the first two are - the planet would be in a better place. flora, fauna and fungi

mycoremeditation is the use of fungi to absorb, degrade, or sequester contaminates that have accumulated or suddenly been released into soil or water. their capacity to break down chemicals and eliminate toxins is proven.

humans share more DNA sequences with mushrooms than we do with plants.
mushrooms are the fruiting body of fungi.
lions mane for nerve injuries
turkey tail for immune building

mushrooms like porcini and chanterelle are difficult to cultivate because they are mutualists, having a symbiotic relationship with plants. thus expensive

desert truffles are discussed in the ancient records of the Sumerians, Egyptians, greeks and romans and also mentioned in the Talmud, and Islamic writings. there are even claims it is the biblical manna.

psilocybin is a psychedelic compound produced by approx 200 species of mushrooms- suggesting it has some kind of basic function in these fungi; possibly evolved in response to a common need.
psilocybe azurescens is the most potent psilocybin mushroom in the world.
psilocin is the active metabolite of psilocybin; it is chemically similar to serotonin.

Vanja Palmers: i believe that mushrooms are like our older planetary brothers and sisters. as a species we are very young, barely in puberty and behaving accordingly. but when we approach these elders respectfully and carefully, they will talk to us, invite us into their world and give us instructions. and mostly what they seem to be saying is to take care of our environment and this planet

[Bill Leach · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of essays on fungi, edited by Paul Stamets. The subtitle of the book is "How mushrooms can heal, shift consciousness and save the planet", and the essays are organized into three corresponding sections. In most of the essays the authors write of their fascination with fungi and possibilities for using fungi to improve the world.

One of the more interesting applications demonstrated by Stamets has been the use of the a mycelium extract to provide honeybees with protection against viruses introduced by Varroa mites. The mushrooms used were reishi, amadou and chaga. Anti-viral effects were 800:1 and better.

Stamet's mother survived advanced cancer apparently through the use of a mushroom extract of turkey tail mushroom (Trametes versicolor) in conjunction with the anti-cancer drugs Taxol (from the Pacific Yew) and Herceptin.

Eugenia Bone notes that the most commonly cultivated mushroom is Agaricus bisporus which is a saprophytic fungi and needs only a proper organic substrate to be farmed. The more expensive mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of mycorrhizal fungi that live in a symbiotic relationship with a specific plant - usually a tree. Cultivation of these requires the planting of an orchard of the partner trees then the establishment of a soil microbiome to support the fungi.

Psilocybin interacts closely with the human serotonin receptor and has been shown to move people's emotional bias away from the negative to the positive, making it potentially useful for treating depression and suicide. The third section of the book includes many essays on mushrooms (mostly psilocbin containing species) and possibilities for greater spiritual awareness.

Perhaps the best part of the book is the collection of excellent photos of various mushrooms, many of unusual shape and colour.

[Fearyl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learning about mycelium has been such a mind-blowing experience.

"A core concept of evolution is that, through natural selection, the strongest and fittest survive In truth (and scientifically proven), communities survive better than individuals, especially communi ties that rely on cooperation. Acting on such a principle, people want to give in order to receive which I think reflects the power of an essential goodness. I see this as a major force of nature that evolution is based on the concept of mutual benefit and generosity. It's certainly true in the world of fungi and plants and trees. Yes, there are negative influences in the human domain. We do have some bad actors. But I think their appearance reminds the majority that it's far better to base our actions on the values we strive to attain, on the principles we want to carry forward into future generations. Who wants to teach their children to be greedy, mean, and violent? Benevolence, kindness, trust, forgiveness-the fact that these concepts exist is to me de facto proof that the evolution of life has been based on the concept of goodness." Paul Stamets

[QuietIdea · Rating 4 out of 5]

We can’t get stuck in the past; we need to be grounded in the present but not stop looking ahead. If we can visualize a better future, we can achieve a better future.

I am aware this is a film, but I've never seen it. I don't know how the book compares to the documentary. I do know that the book is full of fascinating information, I never knew about mushrooms. It seems like the secrets to the universe are held inside the fantastic fungi Paul Stamets is studying. They can detoxify the planet, they can be nutritional, medicinal, or deadly...They can help with decomposition and rebirth. The book also contains great photos of beautiful, mysterious, kind of funky, mushrooms.

My one complaint about the book is that sentences and paragraphs felt too repetitive- like they were copied from one chapter and pasted into others.

Over all, I enjoyed Fantastic Fungi. I learned a lot and I'm more aware of mushrooms when I'm out hiking or trail riding, and more aware of the potential they hold for our future.

[Wendy Feltham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the movie, Fantastic Fungi, especially the time-lapse photography of colorful mushrooms growing and transforming into bizarre shapes. I love to attempt to photograph mushrooms that grow in the forests near my home, and the photography in this book is outstanding. (But not as magical as the time-lapse images in the movie!) However, this book is an excellent companion piece, because several of the expert scientists and researchers have written short essays about their work, which goes by too quickly in the film. Much of the book is devoted to the potential benefits of mushrooms in pharmacology, which does sound encouraging for people who suffer from severe depression and other mental health crises. I wish more than two recipes were included for those of us who crave mushroom cuisine.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic Fungi is the companion volume to the 2019 documentary film of the same name. It has mesmerizingly beautiful photos of a wide range of mushrooms, and consists of short essays written by experts on the power of mushrooms, including their function as connectors to other living things, their uses in mycoremediation, and their nutritional and pharmacological properties. This is a brief survey of the vast world of fungi. My only quibble is that the photos are outstanding but the type font and layout is meh and, for footnotes, almost unreadable. Would have been helpful to have a serviceable reading list included. Despite these minor quibbles, it's highly recommended. I'd love to see the film.

[Marcus Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Power of Fungal Networks

I came to this text AFTER having seen the same titled documentary on Netflix. I loved the documentary and equally love the text but the text allows more to more easily come back to the massive amounts of information on many topics concerning mycology. It’s because of this text and the documentary that I developed a great desire to learn more about fungi (mycology) and have been reading other related texts, spending time in my surroundings looking for mushrooms, and developing connections with others interested in the field through social media. The book makes this retired scientist happily a devoted amateur of mycology. I suspect it will make one of you too.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was sucked into each page's information as well as the (in my opinion) majestic pictures of numerous types with nomenclature. Often I've noticed that the most mysterious looking mushrooms were the ones that were not yet named. One of those books that opened up a door to a better self. I've despised the taste of mushrooms my whole life, but during the few hours of reading this, I would find myself thinking about how I am going to eat all of these types to better my health.
Im entirely grateful for the work that these folks have done, as still cannot get them off of my mind.
Please read and share the information within. This is a very important read

[Danie Hermes · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the first half of the book, a good intro into how fungi affect the world around us. Written by a number of authors, the articles contain lots of good info on more recent scientific discoveries.
The second half of the book is devoted to the psychoactive agents in fungi, principally psilocybin. It reads more like an ad for everyone taking a guided trip on the mushroom. I could have skipped most of the second half of the book.
Photography is lovely.