The Kingdom Fungi by Steven L. Stephenson
TITLE: The Kingdom Fungi: The Biology of Mushrooms, Molds, and Lichens
AUTHOR: Steven L. Stephenson
DATE PUBLISHED: 2010
FORMAT: Hardcover
ISBN-13: 9780881928914
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DESCRIPTION:
"The ubiquitous fungi are little known and vastly underappreciated. Yet, without them we wouldn’t have bread, alcohol, cheese, tofu, or the unique flavors of mushrooms, morels, and truffles. We can’t survive without fungi.
The Kingdom Fungi provides a comprehensive look at the biology, structure, and morphological diversity of these necessary organisms. It sheds light on their ecologically important roles in nature, their fascinating relationships with people, plants, and animals, and their practical applications in the manufacture of food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals. The book includes information about “true” fungi, fungus-like creatures (slime molds and water molds), and a group of “composite” organisms (lichens) that are more than just fungi. Particular attention is given to examples of fungi that might be found in the home and encountered in nature.
The Kingdom Fungi is a useful introductory text for naturalists, mycologists, and anyone who wants to become more familiar with, and more appreciative of, the fascinating world of fungi. "
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This book is a scholarly text on the biology of mushrooms, molds and lichens. I'm not quite sure who the target audience is supposed to be - the book is too technical for an introduction to the subject, but not enough detail is provided to make this an advanced text. The subject is interesting and the multitude of colour photographs delightful to look at, but a few additional schematic diagrams to explain certain concepts would have been helpful.
OTHER BOOKS:
-Mushrooms: A Natural and Cultural History by Nicholas P. Money
-The Rise of Yeast: How the Sugar Fungus Shaped Civilization by Nicholas P. Money
-March of the Microbes: Sighting the Unseen by John L. Ingraham
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