THE MUSHROOM HUNTERS

Hiding in the world’s great forests is a commodity that can be more precious, ounce per ounce, than gold. Mushrooms, these mysterious gifts of nature, have the power to satiate, intoxicate, and kill. There is also an entire underground economy based upon them, one about which little is known. Critically acclaimed author and popular blogger Langdon Cook infiltrates this murky world, chasing the supply chain and learning the secrets of these misunderstood fungi and chronicling the adventures of some incredible characters along the way.

Like Mark Kurlansky and Susan Orlean before him, Langdon Cook dives headfirst into this shadowy subculture, serving up equal portions of natural history, culinary lore, and outdoor adventure. He’ll tempt fate by sampling poisonous and “magic” mushrooms, will explore their potential scientific uses, and will even find himself dodging gunfire from territorial pickers. The Mushroom Hunters invites readers into a world of passion, secrecy, eccentricity, and danger, starring a lineup of true originals. Langdon Cook is the author of the critically acclaimed book, Fat of the Land: Adventures of a 21st Century Forager. The book was named a “Best Book of 2009” by Amazon.com. Cook has been profiled in Bon Appetit, WSJ Magazine, Martha Stewart’s Whole Living, and Salon.com, among others, and his writing has appeared in numerous magazines and newspapers, including Sunset, Outside, Gray’s Sporting Journal, and The Stranger. He has made numerous TV appearances and is also the author of the popular award-winning blog “Fat of the Land.”