What a Mushroom Lives For: Matsutake and the Worlds They Make

The book "What a Mushroom Lives For" explores how the matsutake mushroom is remaking human communities in China and providing new ways to understand human and more-than-human worlds. It reveals the complex, symbiotic ways that mushrooms, plants, humans, and other animals interact, and how the world looks to the mushrooms and the people who have grown rich harvesting them.

Format: Hardback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 26 April 2022
Publisher: Princeton University Press

The matsutake mushroom, a highly prized delicacy in China, is undergoing a transformative impact on human communities, offering fresh perspectives on the relationship between humans and the broader natural world. In his book "What a Mushroom Lives For: Pushing Today's Mushroom Renaissance in Compelling New Directions," Michael Hathaway challenges the traditional human- and animal-centric framework of understanding action, agency, movement, and behavior. By highlighting the world-making capacities of mushrooms, Hathaway reveals the dynamic vitality of all forms of life.

The book delves into the fascinating story of the matsutake, a prized species that thrives in the wild on the Tibetan plateau and finds its final destination in Japan. Many Tibetan and Yi people dedicate their lives to harvesting and selling this mushroom, which is a key player in a multibillion-dollar global trade network. However, this narrative goes beyond a simple tale of human exploitation. The book explores the intricate, symbiotic relationships that exist between mushrooms, plants, humans, and other animals. It sheds light on how the world perceives mushrooms, as well as the individuals who have profited from their harvest.

"What a Mushroom Lives For" is a captivating and thought-provoking journey into the realms of science and human culture. It unveils the extraordinary ways in which fungi shape our planet and our lives, often in unexpected and remarkable ways. Through its engaging narrative and insightful analysis, the book encourages readers to reevaluate their perceptions of the natural world and to recognize the profound interconnectedness of all living beings. This exciting and provocative work contributes to the growing recognition of the vital role that fungi play in maintaining ecological balance and promoting human well-being.

Weight: 610g
Dimension: 165 x 242 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691225883