Smithsonian Handbooks: Mushrooms [Paperback]

Thomas Laessoe (Author), Elwyn Hartley Edwards (Author)

Book Description

Series: Smithsonian Handbooks | Publication Date: May 15, 2002

This is a new edition of the clearest, most authoritative guide to mushrooms you will find. From the False Oyster to the Green Stain, discover over 500 species of mushrooms in the wild. 2,300 incredible photos, precise annotations and detailed descriptions, including everything from mushroom shapes to the color of their spores, will help you to identify different species quickly and easily. It covers every different type of habitat favoured by each mushroom variety and species, so you'll be able to plan your hunting in advance. It is perfect for nature lovers - pocket-sized so you can take it out in the wild searching for mushrooms.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT (May 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789489864
• ISBN-13: 978-0789489869
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #729,657 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #84 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Plants > Mushrooms

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good but beware!, May 14, 2009

By 

Richard L. Elias (Delaware, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Smithsonian Handbooks: Mushrooms (Paperback)

This is an excellent guide with ONE important caveat: it is originally a guide to European mushrooms, not North American 'shrooms. Gary Lincoff, a leading mycologist, Americanized it somewhat. But some 'shrooms discussed within are only seen in Europe. Some names differ from ones normally used here. And so forth. On the plus side, the AMOUNT of info presented on each mushroom is quite useful, especially little diagrams indicating size relative to the size of a human hand. Pictures are excellent. Another plus: handy size and waterproof cover. Will hold up well in the woods. Organization is a bit weird; sections are divided by macro features (gilled, non-gilled etc.) which results in some species being scattered across several sections (see chanterelle family for examples).

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous book and somewhat a useful field guide... in Europe!, October 9, 2009

By 

Glen K. Peterson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Smithsonian Handbooks: Mushrooms (Paperback)

Pro:
This is one of the most beautiful new books I have ever seen. The layout, colors, drawings, photographs, and written detail... I just want to live in it. It's like a very small coffee table book that's tough enough to take into the field. This book has taught me to recognize the difference between a Bolette, a Lactarius, a Russula, and an Amanita. For this reason it can be fun to own and would make a good gift - especially for a European friend.

Con:
Contrary to what it suggests on page 8, this book is NOT a field guide to North American mushrooms. I took a quick count and of the 51 fungi in the first chapter, ten are not even found outside of Europe and Asia. To be fair, a few of those are listed as "World Distribution Unknown." General features may carry across the ocean, but trying to identify North American mushroom *species* with this book is very hit or miss. They say that if you aren't certain of the species, you shouldn't be eating it. I'm a beginner, but I've only been able to identify maybe 20% of the most common mushrooms in my area (upstate SC, USA) with any degree of certainty using this book.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars didn't have success identifying mushrooms, October 3, 2008

By 

ihgrabmail (Greensboro, NC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Smithsonian Handbooks: Mushrooms (Paperback)

I had this book for a few years and tried to identify some mushrooms but found it hard to do, it covers too many species from all over the world confusing me as a mushroom fan. Maybe having a book for local area would narrow it down and be more useful for people like me who just want to know the most familiar mushrooms of their place.