Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures

Merlin Sheldrake

May 12, 2020

Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake is a fascinating and informative book about the importance of fungi in our daily lives and the environment. Sheldrake is a biologist who brings a unique perspective to the topic, with a deep interest in spirituality, ecology and technology. The book explores the hidden ways fungi affect almost every aspect of our lives - from the foods we eat and the medicines we take, to the environment and our mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. From an evolutionary perspective, Sheldrake dives into the origins of fungi and why they have survived over time. He explains how they are essential to humans, animals and other organisms and how they play an integral role in natural systems. Another theme is the power of mycelium, a vast underground network of microscopic filaments that connect organisms, create habitats and provide protection. In this way it is like the internet of nature, and Sheldrake explains how community and communication relies on it. He also explores how our bodies, and those of animals and plants, are intertwined with the mycelium and how we can integrate this knowledge into everyday life. Throughout the book, Sheldrake draws parallels to the human experience such as love, faith and emotion, creating a pathway to connect us to the natural world. He invites us to become part of the relationship and encourages us to become active participants in the care of the environment and fostering the health of the fungal kingdom. Entangled Life makes an important contribution to the field of fungi and will provoke both thought and action.