Mushrooms and Toadstools: (v. 7 Collins New Naturalist Library)

The aim of this series is to interest the general reader in the wildlife of Britain by recapturing the enquiring spirit of the old naturalists, encouraging unusual and original developments of forgotten or neglected facets of British natural history. Collins are delighted to announce the republication in facsimile form of the first editions of the very first volumes in the New Naturalist Library. Originally planned in the darkest days of World War II and first published in 1945, this series is the longest running nature series in the world. It is a reflection of the quality of the authors and the books they wrote, that they are still sought after 73 years later. The books will be identical in every way to the original first editions, including the iconic jackets by Clifford and Rosemary Ellis. Dr. Ramsbottom was for many years Keeper of Botany at the Natural History Museum, and he devoted his life to the study of fungi in all their aspects. He was equally at home in the field, the laboratory and the library. One of the special features of Mushrooms and Toadstools is the wealth of historical allusion to fungi extracted from old books.Set out in a style reminiscent of Robert Burton, this volume can truly be described as a 20th century 'Anatomy of Toadstool. ' Indeed, in fairy rings, science and superstition have gone hand in hand to produce a lively story of alternating surmise and research -- and even today a full and final explanation of these mysterious rings has not yet been made. Many of the larger toadstools are brightly coloured and lend themselves admirably to colour photography, as shown by the 80 remarkable illustrations by Mr Paul de Laszlo.

About the Author :
1894-1974. Mycologist and museum curator, author of Mushrooms and Toadstools (1953). Mancunian, joined Natural History Museum as assistant in 1910 and remained there until 1950, for last 20 years as Keeper of Botany. Awarded OBE 1919 for service in army medical corps. A sociable man, a leading and loyal member of numerous societies to do with fungi, horticulture, roses and bibliography. One of the foremost promoters and popularisers of mycology, much in demand for lectures, forays and at congresses.

Review :
'In this book Dr. Ramsbottom entertains the reader with an erudite and richly factual yet comfortably humorous history of most of the exciting and interesting things discovered about fungi in ancient and modern times. The colour photographs are superbly reproduced, and the black-and-white illustrations have been selected from the collections of Britain's most eminent nature photographers.' Listener 'Will become a classic. Dr. Ramsbottom combines style and humour with his learning. The mycologist and the toadstool-hunting amateur cannot do without this book.' Spectator 'He write delightfully, and it obviously in love with his subject -- he is anxious that others should share both his love and his knowledge. A discursive, scholarly book, enlivened always by a friendly personality. I think that there is just about everything that anyone can want to know about fungi in this book.' Brian Vesey Fitzgerald, The Field 'A fungus handbook for everyone. It is a perfect example of the kind of book the New Naturalist series was designed to produce. This is a five star effort and cannot be over-praised.' Scottish Field 'Not only a masterly and authoritative review and catalogue of our fungi, but a treasure chest of information and a delight to read.' Scotsman