Triumph of the Fungi: A Rotten History

This book is concerned with the most devastating fungal diseases in history. These are the plagues of trees and crop plants, caused by invisible spores that have reshaped entire landscapes and decimated human populations. The Triumph of the Fungi focuses on the fascinating biology of the well- and lesser-known diseases, and also tells the stories of the scientists involved in their study, and of the people directly impacted by the loss of forest trees like the chestnut, and cash crops such as coffee and cacao. In a surprisingly brief time, human knowledge of the fungi that infect plants has evolved from Biblical superstition, to the recognition of the true nature of plant disease, and, more recently, to a sense of awe for the sophistication of these microbes. The crucial issue of human culpability in these fungal epidemics is addressed in the books closing chapter.

Table of Contents:
1: Landscape Architect (Chestnut Blight) 2: A Farewell to Elms (Dutch Elm Disease) 3: The Decaffeinator (Coffee Rust) 4: Chocaholic Mushroom (Cacao Diseases) 5: Rubber Eraser (Rubber Blight) 6: Cereal Killers (Cereal Smuts and Rusts) 7: Potato Soup (Potato Blight) 8: Blights, Rusts, and Rots Never Sleep: A Look at Forestry and Agriculture, Biological Warfare, and the Global Impact of Fungal Disease

Review :
"Money writes in an easy and pleasant fashion with strong personal opinions; he essentially provides a one-on-one colloquy."--The Quarterly Review of Biology "It is a seriously good read, packed with interesting and unexpected asides and notes, so you never quite know what to expect-enthusiasm and excitement exude from every page... This is a book all mycologists should read, and one that should be compulsory in plant pathology courses." --Mycological Research "Biologists and the scientifically informed public will benefit from the opportunity to learn about the classic fungal diseases of plants in a book written in an enjoyable, often witty style. ... Money uses colorful language in explaining much of the intricate biology of fungi; he is scientifically accurate and serious when appropriate." --Choice "The book rewards its readers-including those who begin the book with little interest in fungi-by focusing on plants with obvious importance to people (chestnut and elm trees; cacao, coffee and rubber plants; potatoes, corn and wheat) and by embedding lessons about fungal biology in stories peppered with memorable detail." --American Scientist "A first rate scholar and historian of plant pathology, Money is an able raconteur."--ycologist's Bookshelf "It is a seriously good read, packed with interesting and unexpected asides and notes, so you never quite know what to expect-enthusiasm and excitement exude from every page... This is a book all mycologists should read, and one that should be compulsory in plant pathology courses." --Mycological Research "Biologists and the scientifically informed public will benefit from the opportunity to learn about the classic fungal diseases of plants in a book written in an enjoyable, often witty style. ... Money uses colorful language in explaining much of the intricate biology of fungi; he is scientifically accurate and serious when appropriate." --Choice "The book rewards its readers-including those who begin the book with little interest in fungi-by focusing on plants with obvious importance to people (chestnut and elm trees; cacao, coffee and rubber plants; potatoes, corn and wheat) and by embedding lessons about fungal biology in stories peppered with memorable detail." --American Scientist