Customer Reviews

Mushrooms of West Virginia and the Central Appalachians

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I live in New York State and have been collecting mushrooms for years - edible and otherwise. I already own just about every other field guide to identifying mushrooms and other fungi, so when I saw this book for sale, I thought "do I really need another?" Well, it turns out I did. This book is fabulous! The pictures are first rate, and sometimes provide identifying detail that pictures in other books do not. While the "regulars" are there (mushrooms you find illustrated in almost every field guide) it also contains pictures of mushrooms that are common but not regularly pictured in other field guides. Consequently, it allowed me to solve a lot of long-standing "mushroom mysteries" in my backyard. The book contains longer than average "comments" on each species, often providing fascinating information. I highly recommend ths book!

I live in Tennessee. I own about 40 mushroom books and this one is my favorite. It is great to have a book for identification that covers mushrooms found in the south so well. The pictures are excellent. Roody lists possible look-alikes in many of the excellent, detailed descriptions. He also comments on the edibility of each species. Should be an excellent book for beginners and seasoned mushroom hunters alike. Highly recommended.

After a decade of waiting for this book, I am certainly not disappointed. As an avid mushroom hunter, I have to say that this is the best field guide I have found.

I live in Kentucky and this book works great for my area. I have nothing to add to the previous glowing reviews. This is just such a wonderful book I wanted to make sure it got as much high praise as it deserves! Well formatted, clear concise descriptions and nice pictures. Everything you would like to see in a mushroom book. Five Stars all the way!

I have been introduced to multiple books on the classification and information of mushrooms, but this was so specific to my area that it was just the right gift for my someone special! Beautiful images!!

This book makes an excellent field guide. The pictures are of high quality making them easy to compare to the actual mushroom and are on the same page as the description of the particular mushroom. This is easier and quicker than having to flip back and forth throughout the book comparing pictures and descriptions. The pages are coated giving resistance against dampness, dirt and the elements. A very well organized and easy to use identification book. Very pleased with my purchase and would recommend it to anyone interested in mushroom hunting in Central Appalachia.

On the positive side, this is an excellent book. It is very well written, has detail oriented descriptions and is chock full of beautiful, clear, close-up photos. This book is certainly worthy of being added to any beginner's or seasoned hunter's library. As a note of caution though, if you get it, I suggest thoroughly checking out the binding to ensure that it's solid and tight. When I got mine, I began opening it as with any new book and the seam of the first few pages literally cracked and broke away from the rest of the binding. This happened in a couple other sections of the book as well. So, I immediately contacted Amazon customer support to explain the problem. The rep right then and there set up a replacement (which is perfect) via 2 day expedited shipping back to me, followed by an emailed return label so I could ship the damaged one back free of charge. Can't beat that kind of service with a stick! Thanks again Amazon!

While on vacation from California in mid October, it had rained several days and the forests were alive with mushrooms. I new many of them, but needed a reference for the area. This book filled the bill perfectly. I was able to easily identify everythying that I saw. The pictures are superb showing several specimens in each photo. I will purchase another copy to donate to my mushroom club back home.

If you are an Eastern half of the U.S. mushroom hunter or just interested in learning more about wild mushrooms in one way or another, Mr. Roody's book is a MUST HAVE. It is accurate, comprehensive with more thoughtful text than you will find in 3 other books of its type. Highly recommended.

Before I start let me state that I bought this book intending on using it in Missouri. The midwest is more a less a grab bag of fauna and foliage from E S N & W so its often best to get books for those regions. That being said this book has clear pictures and descriptions for each of the mushrooms presented. It will def be a useful part of any shroomer's (amateur/experienced mycophage (shroom eater) or mycologist (shroom scientist) bookshelf