In the Company of Mushrooms: A Biologist's Tale

by Elio Schaechter

We might slice them into a salad, savor them in a sauce, wonder at their power to intoxicate or poison, marvel at their multifarious presence in the forest--but few of us realize that mushrooms, humbly thriving on decay, are crucial to life on Earth as we know it. In this book a distinguished biologist, long intrigued by the secret life of fungi, reveals the power of these curious organisms--not quite animal, not quite plant--to enchant and instruct, to nourish and make way for all sorts of superior forms of nature. In a style at once learned and quirky, personal and commanding, Elio Schaechter imparts the fascinating minutiae and the weighty implications of his subject--a primarily microscopic life form that nonetheless accounts for up to two tons of matter for every human on the planet. He shows us how fungi, the great decomposers, recycle most of the world's vegetable matter--from a blade of grass to a strapping tree--and thus prevent us from sinking under ever-accumulating masses of decaying matter. With the same expertise and contagious enthusiasm that he brings to the biology of mushrooms, Schaechter conveys the allure of the mushroom hunt. Drawing on his own experience as well as that of seasoned pickers and amateur mycologists, he explains when and where to find mushrooms, how they are cultivated, and how they are used in various cultures. From the delectable to the merely tolerable, from the hallucinogenic to the deadly, a wide variety of mushrooms are covered in this spirited presentation.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Biology

Paperback

First published April 1, 1997

Reviews

[Rachel Smalter Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wouldn't call myself a field-guide aficionado, but this guy's passionate love of mushrooms is extremely contagious. I sort-of wanted to give this book 5 stars, but couldn't really justify putting it up there with Franny & Zooey, The Snarkout Boys and the Avocado of Death and The Gastronomical Me. Sit back and relax as little Grandpa Schaechter takes you on a fascinating journey through the biological jungle of phallus shaped stinkhorns, bizarre turkey-tails and ephemeral shaggy-ink-caps, peppered with anecdotes about cocktail parties and near-death experiences.

And I'd just like to add that this book also includes really fabulous references to Jurassic Park, Alice in Wonderland (of course). . . and even Anna Karenina. I mean, did you remember that Koznyshev, trying to propose to Varenka, loses his nerve and changes the subject to mushrooms??? "'What is the difference between a white and a birch mushroom?' Varenka's lips trembled with agitation when she replied: 'There is hardly any difference in the cap. It's the stalks that are different.' And the moment those words were uttered, both he and she understood that it was all over, that what should have been said would never be said."

[Aditi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains a lot of fascinating information - on biology, history and literature. However, I was slightly disappointed with the Euro-centric bias. Which is not to say that I didn't like it, but I would have loved it if it contained as much information from South-East and East Asia. Also it tended to be a little repetitive when the topic of edibleness was touched upon, which was a bit too often for my tastes.

[Iowa City Public Library]

I wouldn't call myself a field-guide aficionado, but this guy's passionate love of mushrooms is extremely contagious. I sort-of wanted to give this book 5 stars, but couldn't really justify putting it up there with Franny & Zooey, The Snarkout Boys and the Avocado of Death and The Gastronomical Me. Sit back and relax as little Grandpa Schaechter takes you on a fascinating journey through the biological jungle of phallus shaped stinkhorns, bizarre turkey-tails and ephemeral shaggy-ink-caps, peppered with anecdotes about cocktail parties and near-death experiences.

And I'd just like to add that this book also includes really fabulous references to Jurassic Park, Alice in Wonderland (of course). . . and even Anna Karenina. I mean, did you remember that Koznyshev, trying to propose to Varenka, loses his nerve and changes the subject to mushrooms??? "'What is the difference between a white and a birch mushroom?' Varenka's lips trembled with agitation when she replied: 'There is hardly any difference in the cap. It's the stalks that are different.' And the moment those words were uttered, both he and she understood that it was all over, that what should have been said would never be said." --Rachel

[Ron Trial · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really well written and very complete treatment of the subject.

[Mercedes · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good introduction to mycology.

[Adam Lifsics · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really covers a litany of topics on mushrooms and fungi!

[Mila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even the title is inviting. A lovely look at how mushrooms became a part of the author's life.

"The experience of nature to be gained through the hunt is an intimate one. There is a difference between strolling through the woods and being there for a purpose that expressly relates us to the natural domain. The very act of going into the forest to look for mushrooms affirms a connection wit the living world that is not often put into words. I feel grateful to the mushrooms for allowing me to make this connection."

Stinkhorns

"People react strongly to stinkhorns not just on account of their smell. Some members of this group have a startling resemblance to the human penis. Surely this combination of attributes has helped this group of funguses, the Phallales, earn a prominent, if disreputable, place in the history of mushrooms and human affairs. Imagine a well-bred person of the Victorian era finding in the woods a phallic-looking object with a green cap, covered with flies, and emanating an unspeakable stench. Small wonder the sight inspired strange beliefs. Stinkhorns have been associated with all manner of misery and mischief. They have been blamed for witchcraft, cholera epidemics, and untold other disasters."

A memorable illustration in the book is that of the stinkhorn Fungus virilis penis erecta forma that was printed UPSIDE DOWN.

Puffballs

"Puffballs that grow in open spaces range in size from the small, less than an inch across, to the elephantine ... with a diameter of forty inches and weight of fifty pounds. David Arora, the author of a widely appreciated field guide, Mushrooms Demystified, says that "large specimens have been mistaken by passersby for herds of grazing sheep. Of course, mushroom hunters are more likely to mistake grazing sheep for giant puffballs."

I enjoy authors that point me to more authors and Elio Schaechter's Annotated Bibliography in the Resources chapter is worth a look. [Note to self: add David Arora to my to read list.]

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative and interesting, but it took me three months to read because I'm just getting used to reading nonfiction on my own. This was my first successful attempt. :D

A worthwhile read, if you keep at it; sometimes it takes a little work to understand what's going on. Still, I enjoyed reading this book.

[Eli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I checked this book out from the library as research for a story I'm writing, but I ended up charmed by Schaechter's conversational tone and obvious love of all things fungal. When I retire and have time for an eccentric hobby, mushrooming will definitely be it.

[Bob Peru · Rating 4 out of 5]

very innerstin'. i dig 'shrooms--both magic and eatin'. this is a fun book. lot's o' fun facts.