Merlin Sheldrake is a friend to the fungi. As both scientist and brilliant writer, he has constructed a fascinating story about the connections between people and fungi from ancient times until today. He tells stories about fungi that can control the behaviour of ants, fungi that create networks with trees, those that can digest almost anything, and those that can live almost anywhere. Underneath the story, he also brings us into an ethos of connectedness that is as much a philosophy for humans as it is a tale of the organisms in the undergrowth. Although a couple of sections are a little utopic, the passion of Sheldrake and his craft of storytelling pulls the book through. Brilliant, start to finish.