I'm learning to identify mushrooms and this is one of a bundle of books that can help identify what is what. Sadly this book is based on what mushrooms grow in America but some of the mushrooms also grow locally so I could still use it for double or triple checking my information as I will (and anyone else) should only consume a mushroom that they are 100% sure of its identity, checked and compare with different sources.

This book is very informative and gives great information.

How To Forage For Mushrooms Without Dying is an absolute banger of a book!

My husband is a professional chef and self-confessed mushroom freak (and being a Yorkshireman, loves a bit of food for free!). He confirms that this is the best mushroom book he has ever read.

On local walks lately he has been explaining the reasons behind why certain mushrooms are edible, and has a renewed passion for foraging. The insights behind why some fungi are dangerous (or not) is clearly and interestingly explained in this book, along with clear photographs. It has even worked its way into bedtime reading!

A brilliantly interesting and informative read, highly recommended to all who love mushrooms...or free stuff that doesn’t kill you.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

An interesting guide based upon AMERICAN foraging although quite a few of the species are familiar to those of us in Europe. It does demystify some mycology but keeps enough science in there to help beginner understand the biology of these fungi. I like the way that the author splits them into habitats - essentially growing on trees on or the ground. The descriptions are clear and the 'similar not so nice' taxa are useful to see alongside the edible ones. He has sufficient words of caution to cover most concerns and there is always the fall-back of "if in doubt, don't". Personally I still prefer a more traditional book but I'm a professional botanist who is reasonably familiar with the wide range of British Flora but I can see that this would be a good introduction to the novice or person who wants to start exploring the world of edible mushrooms safely. Thanks to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed reading this book so much! This book on Mycology and the foraging of mushrooms approaches the topic in a way that makes it easy for someone like myself, who is not experienced in the field but wants to learn more and further my knowledge, to understand and grasp! The writing of the book is very easy understand, and the images are super helpful in understanding the traits mentioned to look out for when distinguishing edible mushrooms in the wild.

The details and expansive knowledge in this book paired with the simplistic nature of its execution truly made this guide a wonderful experience to read. I love the idea of foraging and can’t express how grateful I am for a book like this that doesn’t feel like a daunting task to read and understand as an inexperienced newbie. Overall a very interesting and enjoyable read, and I feel very happy to have gotten the opportunity to get a look into the world of Mycology through Frank Hyman’s wisdom! Special thank you to Storey Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy!

Can’t wait to try hunting mushrooms. Although the ones that I see on a walk just don’t look tasty. I believe I won’t poison myself with a wild mushroom now.

Excellent Friendly and Informative Guide to 29 Mushroom Species.... and More

For nearly a decade, I was an inhabitant of mushroom country on the Mendocino Coast. Foraging for mushrooms was so popular in the fall that we actually had a festival just for mushrooms and an expert on hand who would make sure foragers’ finds were safe. This is a book I wish I had back then to sell at my specialty food store. It is geared for the true foraging novice (though any interested in mushrooming would enjoy its easy-to-read text and wonderful mushroom photos), providing lots of general information about safe mushrooming and specific information about 29 different edible mushrooms commonly found in the wild. This book has a lot of mushroom photographs, often showing differences between mushrooms and aspects of there. An introductory section helps educate about mushrooms in general, including their appearance. Not sure what warts, veils, or gills look like? You'll find illustrated examples and illuminating but easy-to-read text that helps you understand what they mean when you are looking for safely edible mushrooms. The author broadly splits edible mushrooms into ones that can be found on trees or on the ground. Within these sections, the author further divides them into mushrooms with gills and ones without. Again, this is a perfect way to divide mushrooms for the novice: where do you find them, and what easy characteristic differentiates them? Each section about specific mushroom types has similar general information, how to handle them, how to cook them, and all its specific defining characteristics. I absolutely love this book and wish that I were still in mushroom country. I learned so much, and you will, too, if you decide to purchase this book... which you should if you want to safely forage for mushrooms.

I am a field guide lover! And this guide is perfect! A wonderfully written book with lots of coloured pictures and black & white diagrams that teaches beginners, like me, about mushrooms. It is laid out in a manner that makes it easy to quickly reference to find the information that you need.
The author includes a descriptive chapter explaining what mushrooms are. Another on how to forage safely and responsibly because that is just as important! Who knew that the growths we see on trees are actually mushrooms!? Then the book moves into educating the reader about the mushrooms that grow "at your feet".
The author also includes information on how to cook and preserve the mushrooms we have picked and the tools we need to help us forage.
Further resources, if you want to learn even more, are included at the back of the book.

I have added this book to my "books to buy" list because it is going to be great to have it in hard copy and keep it for referencing for years to come. I believe that many others will find it a necessary addition to their library as well!

Thanks to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

It's a great book, well written, with some amusing anecdotes, which would suit novice foragers based in the US perfectly.

As this book is written with the Americas in mind, the actual mushrooms described aren't as useful to me living in the UK. While some mushrooms seem to also appear in the UK (based on other guides I've read), I will not be using this guide for UK mushroom identification:
"never, ever put a mushroom in your mouth if you're not 100 percent sure of its identity."

I love all-things mushroom and foraging, and this book still has helpful tips for tools and cooking/preserving techniques.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for allowing access to this publication in exchange for honest feedback.

I don’t know much (if anything) about foraging and/or mushrooms or fungi. However, I live (essentially) in a large forested area so you would think that I should know. I was just always told to stay away from them, consider them poisonous. I saw this book on offer and thought, “Why not?” Let’s learn about our surroundings and be able to connect with nature like our ancestors.

I was pleased with this book’s offerings and photos. Like I said, I had barely any preconceived knowledge before reading this book so I’m approaching as a beginner. However I do know that a lot of young people are really into the idea of foraging and this may be an excellent book for learning all about the dos and don’ts

As a forager and fungi fanatic, I read every book about the subject I can possibly get my hands on. So, when I saw this one available, I requested it in a nanosecond. No exaggeration...I DREAM of foraging for fungi, doing spore prints, identifying, photographing, scrutinizing, attending mushroom conferences and festivals...and live part time in Canada where we have six months of snow and cold annually so our mushroom timeframe is so short. Like the author, I forage in Europe (live there part time, too) and can relate to foraging in Italy on anniversaries! This is a fabulous book for those who wish to learn more about starting out. Encouraging as well. As you see here, it needn't be daunting.

Frank Hyman has a way with words...simple enough for anyone to understand with down-to-earth vocabulary including "tree poop"! He describes parasites, saprobes and mycorrhizal relationships in layman's terms. Important information to know. He also explains mushroom anatomy, what to avoid, what to look for, how to forage, how to keep and store mushrooms. One of the most crucial subjects he discusses is handling which can make or break an outing. Not only that but he puts myths and wives' tales to rest which are commonplace especially in Central and Eastern Europe where foraging rules! A favourite memorable reminder for me in this book is "treat like meat". So, so true. He includes many good tips in a logical way to make them easier to recall.

The next section of the book is about specific mushrooms, how to identify them, where and when to find them, how to cook and store them. His cooking ideas are wonderful! Many foragers seem to basically slice and fry but Hyman goes beyond blanket frying for each one and even enjoying one "rare"! His "egg noodle" mushroom explanation makes me salivate! Look alikes are also mentioned which is critical. When my first foray began I learned which ones are deadly first. At the back is a reference section and recommended resources. There are a few I was unaware of so am grateful to see this.

This book is perfect for beginners and inspiring for those who yearn to get out there and forage. A book I will happily add to my fungi shelf. Can't wait to smell that earthy foresty scent of spring which to me means mushrooms.

My sincere thank you to Storey Publishing and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this wonderful ARC. The cover is what my dreams are made of!

How to Forage for Mushrooms without Dying: An Absolute Beginner's Guide to Identifying 29 Wild, Edible Mushrooms by Frank Hyman
Publisher: Storey Publishing
Storey Publishing, LLCGenre: Cooking, Food & Wine | Home & Garden | Outdoors & Nature
Release Date: October 12, 2021

How to Forage for Mushrooms without Dying: An Absolute Beginner's Guide to Identifying 29 Wild, Edible Mushrooms by Frank Hyman is a book written for someone like me that knows nothing about identifying mushrooms. I have always assumed that all wild mushrooms that I have encountered would probably kill me (or my dogs) if eaten and after reading this, I feel a little smarter and maybe even less nervous about death by mushrooms.

This book is written for someone who knows little to nothing (Me!) about identifying mushrooms and is laid out in such a smart manner. The author recognizes that we don't know the names of mushrooms, so the mushrooms discussed in the book are arranged by where and when they can be found. I thought that was ingenious!

This book is meant to be used as a handy reference and not stuck away on a shelf like a text book. It is filled with cool tips to help in identifying safe mushrooms.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I don't plan on doing a lot of foraging in Texas, but at least I'll be able to make a smarter assessment on whether or not Maverick will be getting himself into some trouble eating everything on the ground. You should totally check out this book, it is a fun read!

I'm so grateful to Frank Hyman, Storey Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.