This is the sort of book that can give you back a childlike wonder of the world. Good enough sell yet? I remember being a kid and thinking it was such a waste to live in this time because we already knew everything. There was nothing left to discover. Of course, then I learned abut space, and then about the deep sea, and it turns out there’s actually a rather shocking amount of stuff we don’t know. I would argue there is an overwhelming amount of stuff we don’t know when you get right down to it. This book only reaffirmed this.
Sheldrake doesn’t seem to get flustered by the void though, he just dives in with both feet and the enthusiasm of a 6 year old with a new magnifying glass and no smart phone. His enthusiasm is for the study of mushrooms, which turns out to sort of be the study of everything. It is unfathomable how much influence they have had on the life on earth and how little we have studied them, and it is a joy to see the excitement that the field produces.
Despite being a life long scientist and mycologist, and this book being packed with fascinating information, Sheldrake deftly takes us through it in a way that does not patronize the reader but also does not assume that the reader is scientifically knowledgable. His approach to education is by allowing his passion for mushrooms shine through in storytelling.
The book is artful, interesting, and inspires a sort of pure, innocent curiosity towards the planet we call home. I cannot recommend it enough.
Oh and two notes on content: The book is beautiful – I bought a copy for my father-in-law in hard cover and it is GORGEOUS. I personally listened to the audiobook and that was also excellent. It is read by Sheldrake and he does a great job.