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Book Cover for: Dr. Fun Guy's Passport to Kingdom Fungi: A Scientist's Guide to the Wild and Wonderful World of Mushrooms, Molds, and More, Gordon Walker

Dr. Fun Guy's Passport to Kingdom Fungi: A Scientist's Guide to the Wild and Wonderful World of Mushrooms, Molds, and More

Gordon Walker

Paperback
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Learn the basics of fungal biology, foraging, and identification in this in-depth illustrated introduction from the beloved scientist, mushroom enthusiast, and social media star behind Fascinated By Fungi.

In Dr. Fun Guy's Passport to Kingdom Fungi, Dr. Gordon Walker brings his scientific knowledge and love for everything fungi to the page. The first section of this book is written in a comprehensive question-and-answer format. Starting with "What are fungi?," you'll learn about everything from what mycelium is and fungi's evolution and biochemistry to how they are classified and how they impact our world today. You will also find information on best foraging practices and culinary techniques. The second half of this book introduces you to mushroom identification skills and profiles various mushrooms and other fungi, from incredible edibles you can find in the wild to the dangerously toxic, medicinal, and just plain weird. Finally, you'll find fungal phenomena, showing the amazing breadth and diversity of the fungal kingdom.

With colorful and comprehensive science illustrations, mushroom photography, and QR codes linking to resources to help you continue your fungal explorations, this is the perfect portal to step through into the world of mushrooms.

Book Details

  • Publisher: Ten Speed Press
  • Publish Date: Apr 22nd, 2025
  • Pages: 320
  • Language: English
  • Edition: undefined - undefined
  • Dimensions: 8.94in - 6.33in - 0.93in - 1.71lb
  • EAN: 9781984861795
  • Categories: • Plants - Fungi & Mushrooms• Life Sciences - Mycology• Reference

About the Author

Dr. Gordon Walker is originally from Cambridge, Massachusetts, but also spent time growing up on the Northshore of Massachusetts. For college, he attended UC Santa Cruz, obtaining a BS in biochemistry. For graduate school, he attended UC Davis where he completed his PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology. He then worked at Opus One Winery isolating wild yeast and pioneering new wine technologies. He spent time working in biotechnology around the San Francisco Bay Area then returned to UC Davis where he completed post-doctoral work on fermentation process control. Besides his passion for all things fungi and fermentation, he is an avid chef, forager, sailor, scuba diver, and gardener. He resides in Napa, California.

Praise for this book

"Gordon Walker's book is fun, yes, and richly illustrated, but at the same time it's an impressively detailed survey of the fungal kingdom and its fascinating denizens, mushrooms and molds, yeasts, and more."--Harold McGee, author of On Food and Cooking and Nose Dive

"Dr. Fun Guy's Passport to Kingdom Fungi is like a TSA precheck to a fantastical realm. Fast-paced, accessible, and no-nonsense, this curated tour of edible, medicinal, toxic, and other fascinating fungi bypasses myth for a science-based exploration of an oft-misunderstood kingdom. Learning about mushrooms, Gordon reminds us, leads to so much more than a tasty, foraged meal--it's a pathway to better understanding the world around us and our own place in it."--Langdon Cook, author of The Mushroom Hunters: A Hidden World of Food, Money, and (Mostly Legal) Adventure

"The most fun you can have between the pages of science primer! Dr. Fun Guy's Passport to Kingdom Fungi is a must for both absolute beginners to mycology and those wishing to deepen their knowledge."--Maria Pinto, author of Fearless, Sleepless, Deathless: A Fungal Lens of Hidden Histories, Blackness, and Survival

"Gordon Walker's enthusiasm on the pages (and in person) is contagious, and he's a great evangelizer for popular mycology."--Britt A. Bunyard, PhD, publisher of Fungi Magazine and author of Lives of the Fungi

"Gordon's Q&A extravaganza will whet your appetite as you flip through its pages, with quick breaks to raid the fungal snacks in your kitchen."--Dr. Keith Seifert, author of The Hidden Kingdom of Fungi and adjunct professor, Carleton University, Canada

"Gordon has always been a tippy top go-to for my mushroomy questions and this book sure does showcase why that is! Dr. Fun Guy's Passport to Kingdom Fungi covers all things fungi from top to bottom in an approachable and fun way. It's definitely one to tuck into your foragin' bag to reference when ya need a lil' extra help with your research or when you're out there in the field."--Whitney Johnson, author of Go Forth and Forage: A Guide to Foraging Over 50 of the Most Common Edible & Medicinal North American Mushrooms