Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World

"Mycelium Running" is an electrifying read that takes you on a wild journey into the magical world of fungi! Written by the master of mycology, Paul Stamets, this book is packed with mind-blowing information on how these tiny organisms can change the world. The book starts by diving deep into the mysterious underground network of mycelium, the foundation of the mushroom ecosystem. You'll learn how these tiny threads can break down dead plant matter and form partnerships with plants that will blow your mind! But the fun doesn't stop there, Stamets then takes you on a rollercoaster ride of discovery as he uncovers the many ways in which mushrooms and other fungi can be used to benefit the environment and human health. From their medicinal properties, like boosting the immune system and fighting cancer, to their role as a natural pest control in agriculture, to their ability to clean up environmental toxins, this book has got it all! But the best part is yet to come, Stamets emphasizes the importance of preserving biodiversity and the relationship between the health of the mycological realm and the planet. He encourages readers to embrace the fungal kingdom and explore its many wonders. So grab a seat, buckle up and get ready for an exhilarating ride into the world of fungi with "Mycelium Running"!

Good book for “fun-guys” (AKA fungi) 😊 There are so many times we are so “busy” from hither to yon that we often miss the wee things passing by with no attention. And yet, if it wasn’t for the very grounds that we walk on with minds “occupied” by other digital matters. Good book. I appreciate that I got the plastic coated and spiral bound. Also, pictures and diagrams are very complementary to the text.

I am interested in learning about many ways to inexpensively conserve moisture in my garden. This book is well written, in that it has easy to understand parts for hands-on projects and more detailed text and data in tables and graphs for those who have a scientific background. There is a glossary for much of the terminology, and many photographs. The basic concept is that the reason compost works is that the mycelium, sometimes seen as a whitish webby layer in large compost heaps actually helps plants and trees use water more efficiently. There are greater implications in this discovery, among many of great benefits in heath and medicine, that toxic sites and polluted waters can be cleaned with certain forms of mycelium. I've composted for many years, and save all my leaves for much. Now I understand why that works, and have some new ideas to improve mulching. The larger scope of environments interconnectedness is very interesting. This is a good book on many levels of interests, but it is not an ID or cookbook or medical advice, it covers much broader potential that science is just learning.

Written by the man himself, the mushroom wizard, Paul Stamets. This book is insightful, useful, and should be read by more people. It arrived on time, and in good shape. I immediately set about reading it, and now it holds a prominent place in my shelf.

Interesting subject, interesting perspective. Some of the ideas might be a bit of a reach, but the book is a great source of general information on an under appreciated topic.

This is the complete and authoritative text on fungi and our future concerning the benefits of mycelium. If you're just getting into fungi, this is the definitive text. Stamets is the man! If you review the book by looking inside, you'll notice a high level of documentation on his part. Some of it may be over the head of some of us who aren't very science oriented, or haven't had much biology, but the effect is clear in any regard, and I can say my novice understanding of the field as one coming from philosophy and anthropology, and as a technical writer, has been greatly expanded. I've taken the time to pay attention to the science, as well. All one needs to do is refresh themselves in conjunction with the text by doing a little online research, thus, it's like taking a course in fungi. This book is greatly loved by me.

When one considers mushrooms, one often thinks of a salad topping or a hallucinogen, but rarely does one consider mushrooms as a means to save the world. In Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World, mycologist Paul Stamets proposes that mushrooms can provide much more than a nutritious snack. Stamets is revered as a leader in the field of mushroom cultivation, having published five books on mushroom cultivation and use. By providing strategies by which mushrooms can improve both human and environmental health, cultivation techniques, and a species guide, Mycelium Running serves as an excellent addition to Stamets' other publications. Mycelium Running is divided into three parts: The Mycelial Mind, Mycorestoration, and Growing Mycelia and Mushrooms. The three different parts provide the reader with a better understanding of mycelial structure, four unique mycorestoration strategies, and a detailed guide on how to grow mushrooms. Information is provided on how one can implement some of the proposed restoration strategies. In the Mycelial Mind section, Stamets' passion for mushrooms shines through as he discusses the ubiquity of mushrooms, referred to as "mycomagicians," even claiming, "without fungi, all ecosystems would fail." The mycelium, which is a web of cells that fruits mushrooms, is "so pervasive that a single cubic inch of topsoil contains enough fungal cells to stretch more than 8 miles if placed end to end. I calculate that every footstep I take impacts more than 300 miles of mycelium." Stamets' introduction to fungi goes beyond standard textbook fare, while still providing introductory information on mycelia to any reader completely new to the topic. Stamets then goes on to discuss the medicinal applications of mycelium, including the role of mushrooms in fighting HIV. Other exciting mushroom applications presented in the text include mycorestoration and mycofiltration, where mycelium are used as a means to clean up contaminants, such as oil spills, and filter water. This book presents many exciting ideas to help clean the environment, prevent further contamination, and improve human health, and Stamets managed to convince me of the role mushrooms will play in saving the world. I would recommend Mycelium Running to anyone interested in mushrooms, biology, the environment, human health, or innovative scientific ideas.

I had borrowed this book from a co-worker and knew that I had to have my own copy to refer to and re-read when needed. It is critical for us to pay attention to what nature, specifically mushrooms, contribute to our environment and how we can use mushrooms for our personal health.