This is a book that should be on every gardener's bookshelf. You learn that there is far more to building soil than just adding compost. Inoculate the soil with mushrooms and you can harvest food while you improve your soil and everyone's environment. Get this book and don't just read it. Put it into practice and improve the world.

This is an extremely easy read - with great examples on how mushrooms grow and how it can be commercialised. If you have an interest in this area, then this is the book to read. Would highly recommend it.

This book provides a wonderful look into the world of fungi and their properties. I bought the book after seeing the author in a video, and the book has fully lived up to my expectations.

Stamets is to be commended for some of his discoveries (even if done in conjunction with the US War Department & other unsavory institutions), but the fact is that even investing hundreds of millions of dollars, top scientists failed, in recent years (1990s), to recreate a self-sustaining life support eco-system for only 8 people (so-called "Biosphere 2" near Tucson, Arizona).
We simply do not fully understand the enormous complexity of our ecosystem and interactions of countless different chemicals and life forms; so while some of Stamet's discoveries could be used to improve the environment to some degree, his silver bullet approach appears rather dubious even if we had the luxury to ignore --as he does-- the deeper societal issues underlying environmental destruction. Stamets concentrates on superficial issues like mushrooms and green consumerism and ignores the pursuit of an ecological society based on non-hierarchical relationships, decentralised communities, eco-technologies like solar power, organic agriculture, and humanly scaled industries -- in short, by face-to-face democratic forms of settlement economically and structurally tailored to the ecosystems in which they were located.

Stamets is to be commended for some of his discoveries (even if done in conjunction with the US War Department & other unsavory institutions), but the fact is that even investing hundreds of millions of dollars, top scientists failed, in recent years (1990s), to recreate a self-sustaining life support eco-system for only 8 people (so-called "Biosphere 2" near Tucson, Arizona).
We simply do not fully understand the enormous complexity of our ecosystem and interactions of countless different chemicals and life forms; so while some of Stamet's discoveries could be used to improve the environment to some degree, his silver bullet approach appears rather dubious even if we had the luxury to ignore --as he does-- the deeper societal issues underlying environmental destruction. Stamets concentrates on superficial issues like mushrooms, overpopulation and green consumerism and ignores the pursuit of an ecological society based on non-hierarchical relationships, decentralised communities, eco-technologies like solar power, organic agriculture, and humanly scaled industries -- in short, by face-to-face democratic forms of settlement economically and structurally tailored to the ecosystems in which they were located.

I didn't get to read all of this book because it was a gift for someone but what I did read was very good. It's very informative in all aspects of mushrooms. The book includes the science behind mushrooms, how they can be used for ecological benefits, and best of all how to grow and harvest them yourself. The index of mushrooms, their uses and other information was short but very good. I highly recommend this book and will probably get it for myself soon.

I purchased this book as a gift for a fellow graduate student who is studying the relationship between vascular plant roots and fungi. He and our professor/advisor oohhed and aahhed over it. I should have gotten one for our advisor too!

A quality book with great photos through-out and it is very readable! I have come to the conclusion that mycologists aren't pretentious wordy folks! They enjoy their work, enjoy spreading their knowledge and it is obvious in this book! I agree with the previous reviews - this book should be recommended, if not required reading for any botany or mycology course.

Stamets' Mycelium Running has way more mushroom lore than I'll ever remember - or even want to know - yet it's a fascinating read and inspiring too!

This book is the premier source for a critical knowledge of the mechanics of the only environment we have in which we live

If you are intrigued by fungus then this book will blow your mind. There is nothing else like it. Realistic cutting-edge prescriptions for humanity without any new age hype.

I was introduced to this book through a magazine article. Didn't know what to expect and it does read like a science text but the author is truly passionate and inventive when it comes to mycelium.

This book is clearly written, well illustrated, filled with relevant background and detail and a variety of important angles on the use of mushroom. While my primary interest was food, I have already taken up the call of site remediation using mushrooms. The authors experimental results are off the chart. Natural selection for digesting the nastiest of manmade toxins, oil and selectively destroying destructive pests and all in his repertoire. And yes, there are lots of great ones to eat...

I have read Mycelium Runing and I found it to be an inspiring read. Mr. Stamets goes into philosophies about the innate intelligence of mycelia and mushrooms and how we can befriend them and recruit them to restore our world and break down toxic chemicals. I think of fungal intelligence as chemical expertise. The fungi can figure out how to break down just about anything, including nerve gas and diesel. The book goes into how to start growing your own musrooms and to use them for restoration of damaged areas, as well as for re-establishing forests. I am a permaculturist, and this book is a very useful addition to my libraery of practical books with high information content.

The title suggests that mushrooms can solve the world's problems, and that sounds a little hard to believe. But fact is that the authors put so much knowledge about the growing habits of mushrooms in this book that it can indeed be used to solve problems. For example, the authors mention recovery of burnt areas as well as the absorption of spilled oil.

The book on the whole is impressive and full of knowledge, as wel as beautifully illustrated. Anyone considering to grow mushrooms should read it; and practitioners of permaculture are certainly advised to get this book.

This book is so fascinating, if u even have the slightest interest in mushrooms, or any type of fungi then this is the book to get. Paul stamets answers any question anyone would ever have about fungi, and who would have thought that mushrooms, play such an important role in mother nature. You will be stunned by the information in this book. So if u want a good read with lots of facts and lots of very interesting information then this is the book for you.

This book is incredible. If more people read this book, there could be an ecological revolution.

The reader will not go a page in this book without a "What?? No Way!!" kind of moment. I found myself laughing simply at how amazingly effective and important mushrooms can be.

Mushrooms can help save the world. "Mycelium Running" should be a high school textbook.

I took my last science course about 40 years ago and had forgotten how interesting science can be. This book is not light reading and some people will probably not get past the first few pages but I really enjoyed it. I found tons of new information on mushrooms in spite of the fact that I studied mushrooms in college (until my father decided science was not for girls and convinced me to go to Law School. Yep, those were the good old days.) You will enjoy it as long as you take into account that it is a scientific book, perfect for geeks.

Stamets is THE authority on the power of mushrooms and all the amazing things they can do. From cleaning up toxic oil spills to providing nourishment Stamets clearly writes with passion. I love it and have shared the book with many others, many of whom were blown away!

This is a very well written and organized book, using this has enabled us to do some really wonderful things on our own property and inspired us to do even more. Mr. Stamets has done more to enlighten people about the benefits of fungi than anyone else and in a way that makes it fun and interesting. Will open your eyes to a whole new world.

One of my students recommended this book and I had no idea what I was getting into. A book on fungi that I can't tear myself away from? Yes, it's true. Stamets has made mushrooms his life's work. He knows them like no one else. He presents information based on real science, yet he writes in an easy-to-follow conversational tone. And anyone with a bit of patience can grow fungi using the methods Stamets describes. The things he and his colleagues are doing with mushrooms and tree fungi will astound you. A common mushroom that eliminates diesel fuel from contaminated soil! A tree fungus that out-competes (controls)American Chestnut blight! Erosion control, sewage treatment, enhancing forest health and human health... the list is long and truly inspiring. I am eager for warmer weather so I can get outside and start my own experiments with fungi. And perhaps best of all is the fact that most of these incredibly useful organisms are also edible gourmet delights! This is my first book by Paul Stamets. I am now ready to buy his earlier works (as well as a good field guide to mushrooms and other fungi).

Dont own previous books by Paul Stamets, but have read through a bunch. THis book is a really fine addition to the library. Lots of information, lots of color photos, and an enjoyable read. Get it.

This is a well written, interesting book. And mycelium running has more relevance than I ever imagined (if I thought about it at all). In general, I'd ditch science books for literature in 2 seconds. But I just can't put this book down. It's definitely worth your $$$.

Paul Stamets truly knows the material and has some great insights into the world of growing mushrooms. He succinctly describes how the science of the relatively unknown 5th kingdom (fungi) can be applied to mycoremediation to help unpollute the planet. Even though this sounds like a heavy subject, the material is understandable for people with little scientific or fungal knowledge and helps anybody understand hwo they too can get closer to mushrooms.

Last summer I attended one of Paul's seminars at Fungi Perfecti. Living near by it was easy to attend however I had absolutely no knowledge of mushrooms other than eating Portobellos et al., and reading a little about the possibility of plugging stumps and logs. In fact, at the seminar I felt a bit out of place amongst all of the others who had particular goals and agendas for being there. I figured a bit of education could help me understand this whole mushroom thing. When I left I was completely blown away by all of the possibilities that mycelium offer and by Fungi Perfecti's excellent presentation of this data. Most all of what Paul and his staff taught in this seminar is in this book.

This fascinating book is a treasure trove of effective low tech methods for 'running mycelium'. Paul describes everything from gardening techniques to soil restoration to health care application using typical gourmet mushrooms (oh what Oyster mushrooms can do) and many other species. As a scientist, he backs his data with reputable references. He also uses language that may be challenging to those not educated in the biological/medical sciences. However, not unlike Dr. Andrew Weil's publications, it is nearly impossible to simplify this type of information without giving all audiences from foresters to backyard gardeners to medical practitioners enough information to help everyone understand how powerful this natural filter in soil is regardless of their educational background.

Mycelium Running has very high quality color photos, detailed 'how tos' anyone can follow and specifics describing the chemistry of this powerful ally in its myriad of uses. This is a wonderful text that hopefully will assist us in restoring our battered environment and ailing health one backyard and human body at a time. For what it is worth, this is perhaps the most important and interesting book I have purchased in years. Now I have piles of card board stacked around my property successfully running all kinds of mycelium from spent mushroom kits. I expect to further the `running' using the techniques from this book to build more productive gardens and help keep Rue Creek running clean.

Because of Fungi Perfecti and Mycelium Running's superb information, I have truly become 'beshroomed'. I now go out of my way to educate friends, relatives, neighbors and co-workers alike of the beneficial effects of growing better gardens, managing yard waste (instead of burning), mitigating damage by clear cut logging, cleaning up polluted soil and water ways, removing termites and ants (cannot wait to get an off the shelf solution for this!), alternative/supplemental solutions for treating disease/cancer and every day use for maintaining good health. All of this is painstakingly described in this book; simply amazing.

Paul and his staff are the type of people who do wonderful things for humanity. So wonderful, it makes me want to start a new career and open a natural healing center. Because of Mycelium Running, it would seem there is high probability of significant grassroots restoration of earth and human body. Do yourself a huge favor and spend the money to get this book; it is worth its weight in gold. Next thing you'll find is that you'll be running mycelium in some way, shape or form. It is that easy. Kudos to Paul, Dusty and FP staff for your dedication and hard work!