I wasn’t that interested in fungi before I read this, but Merlin Sheldrake writes in such a compelling way that I fell into the book, and into the subject.

Merlin Sheldrake could not have a more fitting name as the author of a book about the magical qualities of Fungi. He gies beyond mere symbiotic relationships, and delves into the unseen dependencies we have to our fungi friends. Most of us know the gastronomic delicacies of fungi, but we have no idea how dependent our very existence is to these miraculous creatures. Simultaneously, we are just beginning to understand the disease causing challenges of fungus. In plain spoken manner, Sheldrake categorically proves how the metabolic qualities of fungi can sustain and save us. Where we struggle they thrive. But where we cause unnatural ecological change we accelerate their destructive capabilities while missing out on their benefits. Sheldrake extrapolates an engaging and educational story from what could have simply been a Wikipedia entry. His anecdotes, myth busting, and historical tie-ins are the techniques that make science fun and enthralling. The main take away is a wish that the collective we start redirecting spending away from destroying ourselves and towards tapping into the unknown potential of the 90% plus of fungi we have yet to document. Additionally, you start to question how “intelligence” is defined. Sheldrake demonstrates that the designation of “brainless organisms” is misapplied to fungi and maybe underutilized when it comes to humans. We have a lot to learn from the hidden workers behind the machinery of life.

Fantastically informative on a great subject. A 10!

Dr. Sheldrake introduces some truly mind-blowing ideas here. Moreover, he challenges us to think critically about the stories we use to interpret those ideas. In the process he expands our own understanding of the world, our minds, and the stories we use to relate them

Entangled Life is a perfect blend of informational and philosophical. It invites you to reframe the way you view the relationship between living things, and challenges commonly held notions about the relationships between organisms and their broader implications on the world. If you are looking for a book that will make you think, look no further.

“For as long as fungi have existed, they have been bringing about a “change from the roots.” Humans are latecomers to the story.” Kind of dry, but had some entertaining parts. The chapter about truffles was the most interesting to me.