The Edible Mushroom Book

'This is another in a long line of excellent DK books. The reader and potential buyer must take into consideration several factors before purchasing this work; all important considerations. But first, I do need to state that I have been hunting, collecting, photographing and indeed eating mushrooms for more years than I care to admit to. I am sort of like The Hobbit in that I have an absolute passion as to consuming these things. I can assure the reader of this review that I do know mushrooms and pretty well know what I am talking about. Now all that being said.... This book does tell the reader that it is part field guide and part cook book. This is indeed true. I must warn you though, DO NOT use this book as your only field guide! While it is good, it is certainly not the most comprehensive guide on the market and gathering wild mushrooms is NOT an area where you want to make a mistake! Now this guide, as I said, is good, but if I were a beginner in this area I simply would need more to make absolutely positive identification. A good example of my concern here can be illustrated with the Fairy Ring Champignon (Marasmius oreades) This is the one you see in your front year on mornings after the fey folk have held a dance, which is a very nice eating mushroom, especially in flavorings such as stews and soups. When we contrast this with the Lawn Funnel Cap (Clitocybe rivulosa), which is considered and is indeed quite deadly, we find a very confusing pictorial representation here, in particular when it comes to stages of maturity of each species. To be quite frank, I would not risk my life on the information found in this book concerning that particular mushroom. There is just too much room for error. I own and use five different field guides and have a collection of text books on he subject and even I can find myself unsure on some species. Don't take any chances here! I was a bit dismayed that the author did not stress the fact that even completely edible mushrooms can from time to time, be cons