MUSHROOMS AND COMPANY

Translated from Dutch, a genial overview of the fungal clan and its many roles from conscientious keeper of the “wood wide web” to deadly poison and delicious food.

Interspersed with occasional close-up photos and fanciful images of diminutive, red-capped human observers peering curiously at specimens, Panders’ galleries of labeled, exactly drawn mushrooms and schematic views of molds and yeasts in action present a diversity of shapes and forms as colorful as the multitude of fungi facts and functions that Roebers lays out in his informal but information-rich commentary. The author argues that “King Fungus” is the boss underground (“Worms, moles, centipedes, even the roots of trees and other plants are all supporting players”); as ubiquitous organisms that help make rain, contribute to animals’ digestion, and busily chow down on organic wastes of all sorts, they also help “make nature a nice place to live.” (“Okay, they can be a nuisance at times…” No kidding.) Making good on the “and Company” part of the title, the author goes on to introduce the composite organisms slime molds and lichens. He ends his survey with a “Which fungus are you?” feature, along with suggestions for ways to study and—only under the guidance of verified experts—collect and sample these fascinating and essential members of our one, interrelated biosphere.

Lively, informative, and pretty convincing.