Mycorrhizal Planet: How Symbiotic Fungi Work with Roots to Support Plant Health and Build Soil Fertility, by Michael Phillips.
I give this book eight (8) out of ten (10) acorns. I learned so much! Actually, though, I don't feel like I understood it completely from just the first reading, as it was ALL new to me, but the author's style carries you along with joy, no exaggeration. His words radiate his fascination at the interworking facets of life in the soil, which makes it a very pleasant read. There were loads of diagrams and lots of explanations for everything, bravo!--I just think this is such a dense topic that this book would take a couple of readings to really be digested. It's another one of the Chelsea Green
books that looks and feels like a textbook, but when you read it you realize it is really a joyful, exuberant invitation to see what the author sees, and breathlessly admire the wonder of it all. On top of all the wonder, it is a very practical book too-- there is a whole big section detailing non-disturbance techniques, and a small chapter on edible
mushrooms that are mycorrhizal.
Throughout the book the song lyrics and references to phrases from songs and television shows throughout the book are subtle but hilarious to me. (An example from the last chapter: "How about that, say the fungi, they speak-a my language. 4 At the back, the footnote: “4.Please smile now and have a vegemite sandwich.”
You have to read it to believe it! If you want to know more about the life and innerworkings of the ground under you, I highly recommend this joyous tour of the soil food web.
