Description
Book SynopsisLeads us on a tour of organisms, which differ radically from both animals and plants. This book ponders the impact of microbes on the evolution of civilization. It offers various tales into an account of the nature of fungi. It discusses topics such as the role of fungi in the Irish potato famine. It is intended for science enthusiasts.
Trade Review"An utterly delightful book that can be read by anyone who can hardly tell a shiitake from a morel... Hudler makes an excellent brief on behalf of the fungi."--The New York Times Book Review "Thoroughly entertaining... Hudler takes readers on an enthralling and informative tour of this much maligned kingdom."--Publishers Weekly "George Hudler is clearly in love with his subject ... he translates his fascination for all things fungal into a joyful and intelligent read... People who normally shun biology should find it difficult to resist."--New Scientist "[Hudler] presents a remarkable story of the fungi and their impact on human affairs in a highly readable style that will appeal to all... A joy to read."--Choice "Unseen, misunderstood, or regarded with suspicion, we cannot escape [fungi's] influence. [Hudler] explains why in this most readable book."--Nature "Hudler is infectiously--and sometimes amusingly--enthusiastic about his subject, cheering on those who have paid fungi the attention they deserve and castigating those who have ignored them. The result is informative and entertaining popular science. It will be of particular interest to those who pick their own mushrooms or brew their own beer, activities Hudler writes about at length, but it should appeal quite broadly."--Danny Yee, Danny Reviews
Table of ContentsPreface and AcknowledgmentsIntroductionCh. 1Classification and Naming3Ch. 2What Fungi Do and How They Do It16Ch. 3Fungi as Pathogens of Food Crops35Ch. 4Fungi as Agents of Catastrophic Tree Diseases52Ch. 5Ergot of Grain Crops69Ch. 6Mycotoxins: Toxic By-Products of Fungal Growth85Ch. 7Mycoses: Fungus Diseases of Humans99Ch. 8Medicinal Molds113Ch. 9Yeasts for Baking and Brewing132Ch. 10Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms147Ch. 11Hallucinogenic Mushrooms172Ch. 12Wood Decay186Ch. 13Interactions of Fungi and Insects202Ch. 14Symbiotic Relationships of Fungi with Plants217Epilogue230Notes235Index245
