FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
University of Michigan Press
www.press.umich.edu
The weird, the bad, and the beautiful
New book describes 100 of the coolest mushroom species on the planet
100 Cool Mushrooms
By Michael Kuo and Andy Methven
Paper 978-0-472-03417-8 / $27.95
Publication Date: September 2010
All mushrooms are cool, but the ones discussed in 100 Cool Mushrooms are especially
cool. Authors Michael Kuo and Andy Methven cover a broad spectrum of notable North
American mushrooms: from common fungi that are widely distributed and frequently found, to
rare mushrooms that are not found in field guides; from the beautiful to the ugly (and even
disgusting).
Each is described and shown, including its ecology and physical features. Inside, you’ll find
mushrooms such as:
Phallus rubicundus, a stinkhorn that in certain areas appears to be spreading on wood chips sold
as commercial mulch. Now you might just find it in your backyard.
Cordyceps militaris, a little orange club fungus that grows in insects, then explodes from their
bodies.
Piptoporus betulinus, a mushroom commonly found on birch trees, was found carefully packed
in the belongings of the Tyrolean Iceman. Archaeologists speculate that he used it for medicinal
purposes.
. . . and 97 more!
For a full press kit, visit www.press.umich.edu/mediakits. For interviews or a review copy of the
book, please contact Heather Newman (below).
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Press contact:
Heather Newman, Trade Marketing Manager
University of Michigan Press
734-615-6477
newmanh@umich.edu