Lichens - Toward a Minimal Resistance

Lichens are part-algae and part-fungus organisms that reveal their beauty, mysteries, and strange power of attraction. This book offers an original, radical, and symbiotic reflection on this common but mostly invisible form of life, blending cultures and disciplines, drawing on biology, ecology, philosophy, literature, poetry, and graphic art. It questions our customary ways of classifying forms of life and offers a force of resistance.

Format: Hardback
Length: 250 pages
Publication date: 25 November 2022
Publisher: Polity Press

Lichens, those enigmatic organisms that inhabit nearly 8 percent of the Earth's surface, have a captivating presence that is familiar to all but known to none. At first glance, they may seem devoid of any captivating qualities that would hold our attention. However, the more time we spend with lichens, the more they unveil their beauty, mystique, and peculiar allure. Part-algae and part-fungus, lichens challenge our conventional classifications of life forms and open up the possibility of an ecology that transcends the boundaries between nature and culture, urban and rural, competition and cooperation.

The result of extensive research spanning multiple continents, this remarkable book offers an original, radical, and symbiotic reflection on this ubiquitous yet mostly invisible form of life. Blending cultures and disciplines, it draws on biology, ecology, philosophy, literature, poetry, and even graphic art to explore the multifaceted nature of lichens. What if lichens held the key to some of the most pressing and topical issues of our time? Does their ability to thrive in diverse environments, even in harsh conditions, signify their resilience as a force of resistance?

After delving into the pages of this book, you will never perceive lichens or the world in the same way again. Lichens invite us to reevaluate our perceptions, challenge our assumptions, and embrace a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of all life forms. Their enigmatic presence reminds us of the vastness and complexity of our planet, and sparks our curiosity to explore the hidden wonders that surround us.

Weight: 476g
Dimension: 217 x 147 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509553440