In Search of Mycotopia is an informative and journalistic look at mycology and how it intersects different communities - written and presented by Doug Bierend. Due out 10th March 2021 from Chelsea Green Publishing, it's 336 pages and will be available in hardcover format.
This is a surprisingly engaging book about people who love fungi. There are scientists (both academics and laypeople whose love of all things mycology brings them together), producers, counter-cultural-citizen-mycologists, educators, foragers, ecologists, and ethnobotanists in a sort of network of advocates over a broad range of the population.
The book is layman accessible, and I found it a fascinating read. It's rigorously annotated (and the chapter notes and index make for fascinating further reading) but doesn't get bogged down in overly academic language. This is popular science writing - not a "how-to" guide. There are no tutorials here. The author does present a number of eccentric personalities from the counter-cultural vanguard, and always manages to do so with respect and affection. There are a handful of popular science and zoology writers who have the gift of writing layman accessibly and engagingly on their topics of expertise. Doug Bierend is one such.
Four stars. Heartily recommended for readers of science, ecology, ethnobotany and similar subjects.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
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