Lavishly illustrated guide to 1000 European species, 03 Aug 2007
This guide is on a par with the older Roger Phillips "Mushrooms" and very similar in size and format. Unlike Phillips, all photographs have been shot in situ. With so few guides to fungi available, and each covering a particular selection of species, it's best to assemble a good library - and this should be one of the major works. Even though the focus is Britain and Europe, many of the fungi have much wider ranges and this book is invaluable elsewhere in the world too (I use it regularly in temperate and tropical America).

Chris Sharpe, 3 August 2007. ISBN: 0711223793


Simply fantastic , 11 Dec 2006
I know nothing about fungi until a few weeks ago when using my macro lens I started filming various types simply as most of the insect life had gone to bed for the winter. To ID the pictures I needed a guide to what I was filming.

I spent a week or so looking through the Amazon listings and reading all the reader's reviews to try and get the best guide I could. (When I say the best I mean in terms of one I could use rather then something that was too basic or so advanced I'd be lost).

With only one review of this book I was in two minds to get or not, but then decided I would give it a go.

It came today and for the past few hours I have been going through it. The photos are all by natural light where ever possible,....that means a lot when you are trying to match it up with what you have seen or have a picture of. The pictures are also good at showing the conditions they are found in. The text is excellent for each species. At the front there are various chapters on how to ID the fungi, a colour key and a ID key for all the species featured in the book.

Having purchased various guides on insects, plants and wildlife in the past few months I have to say that I cannot imagine how Michael Jordan could have improved on this excellent guide and encyclopedia. My only wish is he turns his hand at an insect guide next!!! LOL.

Michael clearly loves his subject, and that love is so apparent in this book. A classic guide.

Very good quality & value for money, but difficult to use, 04 Nov 2006
* I am a complete fungi novice - please bare that in mind when reading this review! *

This fungi encyclopaedia by Michael Jordan is the 2004 revised edition of his highly regarded 1995 original. As a revised edition, you'd expect it to be excellent quality, and so it is; listing more than a thousand species with superb photographs and detailed descriptions.

The first `introductory' sections to this encyclopaedia, ending on p33, offer some very helpful advice on fungi biology and structure; with a `How to use this book' feature - which you'll need to read! - and a reference section with bibliography and glossary. The main encyclopaedia then follows.

If you take advantage of Amazon's excellent `Search Inside' feature, you'll see how Jordan lays out the entries. It's very thorough, with long, impossible to pronounce Latin names (very few have English names), dimensions, detailed descriptions of the cap, gills and stem of the fungi (if it has them), as well as microscopic analysis of the spores and any relevant chemical tests.

Anna and I are, therefore, starting to discover that the task of identifying each fungi accurately is legendarily difficult! This is not helped when names and classification of fungi are continually changing and, authors can apparetnly disagree on both. Also, it appears that fungi are continuing to evolve thus giving rise to frequent new strains.

As a novice, this is supremely difficult to overcome - but it is the nature of the fungal beast, not a fault of this book. However, relevant photographs of all listed fungi in their young, mature and `over-blown' state would be very useful. This is because a mushroom (for instance) that starts out as pink ball, may mature into a white umbrella shape. Unfortunately, this encyclopaedia only has some pictures of fungi in their young and/or old states.

I think Jordan's offering is as good an encyclopaedia as one can expect, and better than many. But the complexities of accurately identifying each species mean that it is always going to be a difficult to use volume. However, it is still top quality, managing to convey the author's passion and it represents superb value for money. Recommended.

Lavishly illustrated guide to 1000 European species, 03 Aug 2007
This guide is on a par with the older Roger Phillips "Mushrooms" and very similar in size and format. Unlike Phillips, all photographs have been shot in situ. With so few guides to fungi available, and each covering a particular selection of species, it's best to assemble a good library - and this should be one of the major works. Even though the focus is Britain and Europe, many of the fungi have much wider ranges and this book is invaluable elsewhere in the world too (I use it regularly in temperate and tropical America).

Chris Sharpe, 3 August 2007. ISBN: 0711223793


Simply fantastic , 11 Dec 2006
I know nothing about fungi until a few weeks ago when using my macro lens I started filming various types simply as most of the insect life had gone to bed for the winter. To ID the pictures I needed a guide to what I was filming.

I spent a week or so looking through the Amazon listings and reading all the reader's reviews to try and get the best guide I could. (When I say the best I mean in terms of one I could use rather then something that was too basic or so advanced I'd be lost).

With only one review of this book I was in two minds to get or not, but then decided I would give it a go.

It came today and for the past few hours I have been going through it. The photos are all by natural light where ever possible,....that means a lot when you are trying to match it up with what you have seen or have a picture of. The pictures are also good at showing the conditions they are found in. The text is excellent for each species. At the front there are various chapters on how to ID the fungi, a colour key and a ID key for all the species featured in the book.

Having purchased various guides on insects, plants and wildlife in the past few months I have to say that I cannot imagine how Michael Jordan could have improved on this excellent guide and encyclopedia. My only wish is he turns his hand at an insect guide next!!! LOL.

Michael clearly loves his subject, and that love is so apparent in this book. A classic guide.

Very good quality & value for money, but difficult to use, 04 Nov 2006
* I am a complete fungi novice - please bare that in mind when reading this review! *

This fungi encyclopaedia by Michael Jordan is the 2004 revised edition of his highly regarded 1995 original. As a revised edition, you'd expect it to be excellent quality, and so it is; listing more than a thousand species with superb photographs and detailed descriptions.

The first `introductory' sections to this encyclopaedia, ending on p33, offer some very helpful advice on fungi biology and structure; with a `How to use this book' feature - which you'll need to read! - and a reference section with bibliography and glossary. The main encyclopaedia then follows.

If you take advantage of Amazon's excellent `Search Inside' feature, you'll see how Jordan lays out the entries. It's very thorough, with long, impossible to pronounce Latin names (very few have English names), dimensions, detailed descriptions of the cap, gills and stem of the fungi (if it has them), as well as microscopic analysis of the spores and any relevant chemical tests.

Anna and I are, therefore, starting to discover that the task of identifying each fungi accurately is legendarily difficult! This is not helped when names and classification of fungi are continually changing and, authors can apparetnly disagree on both. Also, it appears that fungi are continuing to evolve thus giving rise to frequent new strains.

As a novice, this is supremely difficult to overcome - but it is the nature of the fungal beast, not a fault of this book. However, relevant photographs of all listed fungi in their young, mature and `over-blown' state would be very useful. This is because a mushroom (for instance) that starts out as pink ball, may mature into a white umbrella shape. Unfortunately, this encyclopaedia only has some pictures of fungi in their young and/or old states.

I think Jordan's offering is as good an encyclopaedia as one can expect, and better than many. But the complexities of accurately identifying each species mean that it is always going to be a difficult to use volume. However, it is still top quality, managing to convey the author's passion and it represents superb value for money. Recommended.

Provides all the necessary study skills to become a Professional Nail Technician!, 14 Sep 2008
This is a book that provides comprehensive and detailed instruction in all aspects of Nail technology. Written by industry experts; it clearly illustrates the authors' expertise in this subject. For those Beauty Therapists who want to specialise in Nail technology and become Nail Technicians this book is a superb reference guide. A main feature of this book is the attention to detail in every aspect of becoming a Nail technician. Not only does it provide all the necessary study skills for becoming a professional; it provides opportunities for studying competition nail art and becoming a lecturer! It is clear the authors are passionate about the Nail industry and this book demonstrated this to a high degree. In educating students; this book also serves to ultimately raise the profile of the Nail technology industry. For lecturers who teach Beauty Therapy like me; I believe this can only be for the greater good of teaching standards within the Beauty Therapy industry.

the encyclopedia of nails, 15 Feb 2006
great book and it has really helped with my studies, a must have for any training nail tech.

Cant Live With Out It!, 22 Nov 2004
Im doing the nail treatments course at college and if it was not for this book I would never understand what I was doing.
It has helped me with all the A&P, H&S - Im looking forward to the sections on Extensions and nail art which we start in Jan 05.
If you dont have this book as part of your collection for your studies, you are missing out!

Excellent Book, 27 Apr 2004
I am at present taking a Manicure & Pedicure course at college
and haveused this book countless times to help with assignments and information. The book is concise, helpful and has excellent diagrams and pictures

A MUST HAVE !!!, 05 Mar 2004
This is a must have book for anyone in the beauty industry. I am a student beauty therapist, and have found both the technical information and the images, to be invaluable as part of my NVQ studies.

Lavishly illustrated guide to 1000 European species, 03 Aug 2007
This guide is on a par with the older Roger Phillips "Mushrooms" and very similar in size and format. Unlike Phillips, all photographs have been shot in situ. With so few guides to fungi available, and each covering a particular selection of species, it's best to assemble a good library - and this should be one of the major works. Even though the focus is Britain and Europe, many of the fungi have much wider ranges and this book is invaluable elsewhere in the world too (I use it regularly in temperate and tropical America).

Chris Sharpe, 3 August 2007. ISBN: 0711223793


Simply fantastic , 11 Dec 2006
I know nothing about fungi until a few weeks ago when using my macro lens I started filming various types simply as most of the insect life had gone to bed for the winter. To ID the pictures I needed a guide to what I was filming.

I spent a week or so looking through the Amazon listings and reading all the reader's reviews to try and get the best guide I could. (When I say the best I mean in terms of one I could use rather then something that was too basic or so advanced I'd be lost).

With only one review of this book I was in two minds to get or not, but then decided I would give it a go.

It came today and for the past few hours I have been going through it. The photos are all by natural light where ever possible,....that means a lot when you are trying to match it up with what you have seen or have a picture of. The pictures are also good at showing the conditions they are found in. The text is excellent for each species. At the front there are various chapters on how to ID the fungi, a colour key and a ID key for all the species featured in the book.

Having purchased various guides on insects, plants and wildlife in the past few months I have to say that I cannot imagine how Michael Jordan could have improved on this excellent guide and encyclopedia. My only wish is he turns his hand at an insect guide next!!! LOL.

Michael clearly loves his subject, and that love is so apparent in this book. A classic guide.

Very good quality & value for money, but difficult to use, 04 Nov 2006
* I am a complete fungi novice - please bare that in mind when reading this review! *

This fungi encyclopaedia by Michael Jordan is the 2004 revised edition of his highly regarded 1995 original. As a revised edition, you'd expect it to be excellent quality, and so it is; listing more than a thousand species with superb photographs and detailed descriptions.

The first `introductory' sections to this encyclopaedia, ending on p33, offer some very helpful advice on fungi biology and structure; with a `How to use this book' feature - which you'll need to read! - and a reference section with bibliography and glossary. The main encyclopaedia then follows.

If you take advantage of Amazon's excellent `Search Inside' feature, you'll see how Jordan lays out the entries. It's very thorough, with long, impossible to pronounce Latin names (very few have English names), dimensions, detailed descriptions of the cap, gills and stem of the fungi (if it has them), as well as microscopic analysis of the spores and any relevant chemical tests.

Anna and I are, therefore, starting to discover that the task of identifying each fungi accurately is legendarily difficult! This is not helped when names and classification of fungi are continually changing and, authors can apparetnly disagree on both. Also, it appears that fungi are continuing to evolve thus giving rise to frequent new strains.

As a novice, this is supremely difficult to overcome - but it is the nature of the fungal beast, not a fault of this book. However, relevant photographs of all listed fungi in their young, mature and `over-blown' state would be very useful. This is because a mushroom (for instance) that starts out as pink ball, may mature into a white umbrella shape. Unfortunately, this encyclopaedia only has some pictures of fungi in their young and/or old states.

I think Jordan's offering is as good an encyclopaedia as one can expect, and better than many. But the complexities of accurately identifying each species mean that it is always going to be a difficult to use volume. However, it is still top quality, managing to convey the author's passion and it represents superb value for money. Recommended.

Provides all the necessary study skills to become a Professional Nail Technician!, 14 Sep 2008
This is a book that provides comprehensive and detailed instruction in all aspects of Nail technology. Written by industry experts; it clearly illustrates the authors' expertise in this subject. For those Beauty Therapists who want to specialise in Nail technology and become Nail Technicians this book is a superb reference guide. A main feature of this book is the attention to detail in every aspect of becoming a Nail technician. Not only does it provide all the necessary study skills for becoming a professional; it provides opportunities for studying competition nail art and becoming a lecturer! It is clear the authors are passionate about the Nail industry and this book demonstrated this to a high degree. In educating students; this book also serves to ultimately raise the profile of the Nail technology industry. For lecturers who teach Beauty Therapy like me; I believe this can only be for the greater good of teaching standards within the Beauty Therapy industry.

the encyclopedia of nails, 15 Feb 2006
great book and it has really helped with my studies, a must have for any training nail tech.

Cant Live With Out It!, 22 Nov 2004
Im doing the nail treatments course at college and if it was not for this book I would never understand what I was doing.
It has helped me with all the A&P, H&S - Im looking forward to the sections on Extensions and nail art which we start in Jan 05.
If you dont have this book as part of your collection for your studies, you are missing out!

Excellent Book, 27 Apr 2004
I am at present taking a Manicure & Pedicure course at college
and haveused this book countless times to help with assignments and information. The book is concise, helpful and has excellent diagrams and pictures

A MUST HAVE !!!, 05 Mar 2004
This is a must have book for anyone in the beauty industry. I am a student beauty therapist, and have found both the technical information and the images, to be invaluable as part of my NVQ studies.

one word ..., 02 Jun 2004
i can think of one word to sum up this book, by scott cunningham... dearley remembered and missed by the wiccan and pagan comunity, the word is, excelant, because that is what it is. i have read it over and over, discovering more and more!
here is a sample of what you will find if you buy this simply superb book :
a stone tarrot- not the runes but using stones similar to runes with no symbols etc to forsee the future!

an encyclopidia of stones - very handy for those last minute spells etc when i have often found myseld sitting for half an hour going through my stones, looking them up in thousand of books and on the net, well not with this, simple and easy to use!

i can strongly recomend this to anyone!

Essential to any practising Wiccan, 27 Mar 2001
Everytime I'm preparing myself afor a spell I look through this book, triple checking that I have the correct stones for the job at hand. I also found the colour section at the beginning very useful. The only bit of criticism I have is that there weren't very many actual spells in the book but if you're just looking for help with making your own spells then this is the book for you!

All around excellent!, 06 Jul 1999
This book has everything you could ask for -- detailed info on the most popular crystals, uses, spells, correspondences, and even crystal divination. I would recommend this book to both beginners and experts.

Good Color Photos of Rocks and interesting Folk Lore., 06 May 1999
I purchased this book after seeing it as a reference book at one on my favorite Bead shops. I found the color illustration to be rather good and found the descriptions of the meaning of the stones to be interesting. It gives metaphysical description as well as a literal one. I would recommend this book since I own two copies of it. One for my home and one for my Dorm room. This book can be enjoyed by all age groups.

excellent resource, 24 Dec 1998
I really loved this book; I am really interested in crystal properties, and it states things plainly and easily. I use it constantly to check on certain stones, especially when an inexperienced friend calls on me as an expert! The only problems I have are that I'd have liked more specific spells listed, and more pictures for identifying stones. But all in all, a great book.

Lavishly illustrated guide to 1000 European species, 03 Aug 2007
This guide is on a par with the older Roger Phillips "Mushrooms" and very similar in size and format. Unlike Phillips, all photographs have been shot in situ. With so few guides to fungi available, and each covering a particular selection of species, it's best to assemble a good library - and this should be one of the major works. Even though the focus is Britain and Europe, many of the fungi have much wider ranges and this book is invaluable elsewhere in the world too (I use it regularly in temperate and tropical America).

Chris Sharpe, 3 August 2007. ISBN: 0711223793


Simply fantastic , 11 Dec 2006
I know nothing about fungi until a few weeks ago when using my macro lens I started filming various types simply as most of the insect life had gone to bed for the winter. To ID the pictures I needed a guide to what I was filming.

I spent a week or so looking through the Amazon listings and reading all the reader's reviews to try and get the best guide I could. (When I say the best I mean in terms of one I could use rather then something that was too basic or so advanced I'd be lost).

With only one review of this book I was in two minds to get or not, but then decided I would give it a go.

It came today and for the past few hours I have been going through it. The photos are all by natural light where ever possible,....that means a lot when you are trying to match it up with what you have seen or have a picture of. The pictures are also good at showing the conditions they are found in. The text is excellent for each species. At the front there are various chapters on how to ID the fungi, a colour key and a ID key for all the species featured in the book.

Having purchased various guides on insects, plants and wildlife in the past few months I have to say that I cannot imagine how Michael Jordan could have improved on this excellent guide and encyclopedia. My only wish is he turns his hand at an insect guide next!!! LOL.

Michael clearly loves his subject, and that love is so apparent in this book. A classic guide.

Very good quality & value for money, but difficult to use, 04 Nov 2006
* I am a complete fungi novice - please bare that in mind when reading this review! *

This fungi encyclopaedia by Michael Jordan is the 2004 revised edition of his highly regarded 1995 original. As a revised edition, you'd expect it to be excellent quality, and so it is; listing more than a thousand species with superb photographs and detailed descriptions.

The first `introductory' sections to this encyclopaedia, ending on p33, offer some very helpful advice on fungi biology and structure; with a `How to use this book' feature - which you'll need to read! - and a reference section with bibliography and glossary. The main encyclopaedia then follows.

If you take advantage of Amazon's excellent `Search Inside' feature, you'll see how Jordan lays out the entries. It's very thorough, with long, impossible to pronounce Latin names (very few have English names), dimensions, detailed descriptions of the cap, gills and stem of the fungi (if it has them), as well as microscopic analysis of the spores and any relevant chemical tests.

Anna and I are, therefore, starting to discover that the task of identifying each fungi accurately is legendarily difficult! This is not helped when names and classification of fungi are continually changing and, authors can apparetnly disagree on both. Also, it appears that fungi are continuing to evolve thus giving rise to frequent new strains.

As a novice, this is supremely difficult to overcome - but it is the nature of the fungal beast, not a fault of this book. However, relevant photographs of all listed fungi in their young, mature and `over-blown' state would be very useful. This is because a mushroom (for instance) that starts out as pink ball, may mature into a white umbrella shape. Unfortunately, this encyclopaedia only has some pictures of fungi in their young and/or old states.

I think Jordan's offering is as good an encyclopaedia as one can expect, and better than many. But the complexities of accurately identifying each species mean that it is always going to be a difficult to use volume. However, it is still top quality, managing to convey the author's passion and it represents superb value for money. Recommended.

Provides all the necessary study skills to become a Professional Nail Technician!, 14 Sep 2008
This is a book that provides comprehensive and detailed instruction in all aspects of Nail technology. Written by industry experts; it clearly illustrates the authors' expertise in this subject. For those Beauty Therapists who want to specialise in Nail technology and become Nail Technicians this book is a superb reference guide. A main feature of this book is the attention to detail in every aspect of becoming a Nail technician. Not only does it provide all the necessary study skills for becoming a professional; it provides opportunities for studying competition nail art and becoming a lecturer! It is clear the authors are passionate about the Nail industry and this book demonstrated this to a high degree. In educating students; this book also serves to ultimately raise the profile of the Nail technology industry. For lecturers who teach Beauty Therapy like me; I believe this can only be for the greater good of teaching standards within the Beauty Therapy industry.

the encyclopedia of nails, 15 Feb 2006
great book and it has really helped with my studies, a must have for any training nail tech.

Cant Live With Out It!, 22 Nov 2004
Im doing the nail treatments course at college and if it was not for this book I would never understand what I was doing.
It has helped me with all the A&P, H&S - Im looking forward to the sections on Extensions and nail art which we start in Jan 05.
If you dont have this book as part of your collection for your studies, you are missing out!

Excellent Book, 27 Apr 2004
I am at present taking a Manicure & Pedicure course at college
and haveused this book countless times to help with assignments and information. The book is concise, helpful and has excellent diagrams and pictures

A MUST HAVE !!!, 05 Mar 2004
This is a must have book for anyone in the beauty industry. I am a student beauty therapist, and have found both the technical information and the images, to be invaluable as part of my NVQ studies.

one word ..., 02 Jun 2004
i can think of one word to sum up this book, by scott cunningham... dearley remembered and missed by the wiccan and pagan comunity, the word is, excelant, because that is what it is. i have read it over and over, discovering more and more!
here is a sample of what you will find if you buy this simply superb book :
a stone tarrot- not the runes but using stones similar to runes with no symbols etc to forsee the future!

an encyclopidia of stones - very handy for those last minute spells etc when i have often found myseld sitting for half an hour going through my stones, looking them up in thousand of books and on the net, well not with this, simple and easy to use!

i can strongly recomend this to anyone!

Essential to any practising Wiccan, 27 Mar 2001
Everytime I'm preparing myself afor a spell I look through this book, triple checking that I have the correct stones for the job at hand. I also found the colour section at the beginning very useful. The only bit of criticism I have is that there weren't very many actual spells in the book but if you're just looking for help with making your own spells then this is the book for you!

All around excellent!, 06 Jul 1999
This book has everything you could ask for -- detailed info on the most popular crystals, uses, spells, correspondences, and even crystal divination. I would recommend this book to both beginners and experts.

Good Color Photos of Rocks and interesting Folk Lore., 06 May 1999
I purchased this book after seeing it as a reference book at one on my favorite Bead shops. I found the color illustration to be rather good and found the descriptions of the meaning of the stones to be interesting. It gives metaphysical description as well as a literal one. I would recommend this book since I own two copies of it. One for my home and one for my Dorm room. This book can be enjoyed by all age groups.

excellent resource, 24 Dec 1998
I really loved this book; I am really interested in crystal properties, and it states things plainly and easily. I use it constantly to check on certain stones, especially when an inexperienced friend calls on me as an expert! The only problems I have are that I'd have liked more specific spells listed, and more pictures for identifying stones. But all in all, a great book.

Disappointing, 02 Nov 2006
I bought this book having completed a basic homeopathy course. I was hoping that this would be the only book I needed to buy. Unfortunately I am a bit disappointed by it and end up referring to my notes from the course rather than looking in the book. It is nicely illustrated and good for looking at the varying remedies - but if you are looking for a remedy for an illness, I don't find it that useful or easy to use.

Lavishly illustrated guide to 1000 European species, 03 Aug 2007
This guide is on a par with the older Roger Phillips "Mushrooms" and very similar in size and format. Unlike Phillips, all photographs have been shot in situ. With so few guides to fungi available, and each covering a particular selection of species, it's best to assemble a good library - and this should be one of the major works. Even though the focus is Britain and Europe, many of the fungi have much wider ranges and this book is invaluable elsewhere in the world too (I use it regularly in temperate and tropical America).

Chris Sharpe, 3 August 2007. ISBN: 0711223793


Simply fantastic , 11 Dec 2006
I know nothing about fungi until a few weeks ago when using my macro lens I started filming various types simply as most of the insect life had gone to bed for the winter. To ID the pictures I needed a guide to what I was filming.

I spent a week or so looking through the Amazon listings and reading all the reader's reviews to try and get the best guide I could. (When I say the best I mean in terms of one I could use rather then something that was too basic or so advanced I'd be lost).

With only one review of this book I was in two minds to get or not, but then decided I would give it a go.

It came today and for the past few hours I have been going through it. The photos are all by natural light where ever possible,....that means a lot when you are trying to match it up with what you have seen or have a picture of. The pictures are also good at showing the conditions they are found in. The text is excellent for each species. At the front there are various chapters on how to ID the fungi, a colour key and a ID key for all the species featured in the book.

Having purchased various guides on insects, plants and wildlife in the past few months I have to say that I cannot imagine how Michael Jordan could have improved on this excellent guide and encyclopedia. My only wish is he turns his hand at an insect guide next!!! LOL.

Michael clearly loves his subject, and that love is so apparent in this book. A classic guide.

Very good quality & value for money, but difficult to use, 04 Nov 2006
* I am a complete fungi novice - please bare that in mind when reading this review! *

This fungi encyclopaedia by Michael Jordan is the 2004 revised edition of his highly regarded 1995 original. As a revised edition, you'd expect it to be excellent quality, and so it is; listing more than a thousand species with superb photographs and detailed descriptions.

The first `introductory' sections to this encyclopaedia, ending on p33, offer some very helpful advice on fungi biology and structure; with a `How to use this book' feature - which you'll need to read! - and a reference section with bibliography and glossary. The main encyclopaedia then follows.

If you take advantage of Amazon's excellent `Search Inside' feature, you'll see how Jordan lays out the entries. It's very thorough, with long, impossible to pronounce Latin names (very few have English names), dimensions, detailed descriptions of the cap, gills and stem of the fungi (if it has them), as well as microscopic analysis of the spores and any relevant chemical tests.

Anna and I are, therefore, starting to discover that the task of identifying each fungi accurately is legendarily difficult! This is not helped when names and classification of fungi are continually changing and, authors can apparetnly disagree on both. Also, it appears that fungi are continuing to evolve thus giving rise to frequent new strains.

As a novice, this is supremely difficult to overcome - but it is the nature of the fungal beast, not a fault of this book. However, relevant photographs of all listed fungi in their young, mature and `over-blown' state would be very useful. This is because a mushroom (for instance) that starts out as pink ball, may mature into a white umbrella shape. Unfortunately, this encyclopaedia only has some pictures of fungi in their young and/or old states.

I think Jordan's offering is as good an encyclopaedia as one can expect, and better than many. But the complexities of accurately identifying each species mean that it is always going to be a difficult to use volume. However, it is still top quality, managing to convey the author's passion and it represents superb value for money. Recommended.

Provides all the necessary study skills to become a Professional Nail Technician!, 14 Sep 2008
This is a book that provides comprehensive and detailed instruction in all aspects of Nail technology. Written by industry experts; it clearly illustrates the authors' expertise in this subject. For those Beauty Therapists who want to specialise in Nail technology and become Nail Technicians this book is a superb reference guide. A main feature of this book is the attention to detail in every aspect of becoming a Nail technician. Not only does it provide all the necessary study skills for becoming a professional; it provides opportunities for studying competition nail art and becoming a lecturer! It is clear the authors are passionate about the Nail industry and this book demonstrated this to a high degree. In educating students; this book also serves to ultimately raise the profile of the Nail technology industry. For lecturers who teach Beauty Therapy like me; I believe this can only be for the greater good of teaching standards within the Beauty Therapy industry.

the encyclopedia of nails, 15 Feb 2006
great book and it has really helped with my studies, a must have for any training nail tech.

Cant Live With Out It!, 22 Nov 2004
Im doing the nail treatments course at college and if it was not for this book I would never understand what I was doing.
It has helped me with all the A&P, H&S - Im looking forward to the sections on Extensions and nail art which we start in Jan 05.
If you dont have this book as part of your collection for your studies, you are missing out!

Excellent Book, 27 Apr 2004
I am at present taking a Manicure & Pedicure course at college
and haveused this book countless times to help with assignments and information. The book is concise, helpful and has excellent diagrams and pictures

A MUST HAVE !!!, 05 Mar 2004
This is a must have book for anyone in the beauty industry. I am a student beauty therapist, and have found both the technical information and the images, to be invaluable as part of my NVQ studies.

one word ..., 02 Jun 2004
i can think of one word to sum up this book, by scott cunningham... dearley remembered and missed by the wiccan and pagan comunity, the word is, excelant, because that is what it is. i have read it over and over, discovering more and more!
here is a sample of what you will find if you buy this simply superb book :
a stone tarrot- not the runes but using stones similar to runes with no symbols etc to forsee the future!

an encyclopidia of stones - very handy for those last minute spells etc when i have often found myseld sitting for half an hour going through my stones, looking them up in thousand of books and on the net, well not with this, simple and easy to use!

i can strongly recomend this to anyone!

Essential to any practising Wiccan, 27 Mar 2001
Everytime I'm preparing myself afor a spell I look through this book, triple checking that I have the correct stones for the job at hand. I also found the colour section at the beginning very useful. The only bit of criticism I have is that there weren't very many actual spells in the book but if you're just looking for help with making your own spells then this is the book for you!

All around excellent!, 06 Jul 1999
This book has everything you could ask for -- detailed info on the most popular crystals, uses, spells, correspondences, and even crystal divination. I would recommend this book to both beginners and experts.

Good Color Photos of Rocks and interesting Folk Lore., 06 May 1999
I purchased this book after seeing it as a reference book at one on my favorite Bead shops. I found the color illustration to be rather good and found the descriptions of the meaning of the stones to be interesting. It gives metaphysical description as well as a literal one. I would recommend this book since I own two copies of it. One for my home and one for my Dorm room. This book can be enjoyed by all age groups.

excellent resource, 24 Dec 1998
I really loved this book; I am really interested in crystal properties, and it states things plainly and easily. I use it constantly to check on certain stones, especially when an inexperienced friend calls on me as an expert! The only problems I have are that I'd have liked more specific spells listed, and more pictures for identifying stones. But all in all, a great book.

Disappointing, 02 Nov 2006
I bought this book having completed a basic homeopathy course. I was hoping that this would be the only book I needed to buy. Unfortunately I am a bit disappointed by it and end up referring to my notes from the course rather than looking in the book. It is nicely illustrated and good for looking at the varying remedies - but if you are looking for a remedy for an illness, I don't find it that useful or easy to use.

The short bible for organic chemistry, 16 Nov 2003
The long bible of organic chemistry is of course Chemical Abstracts, but the Merck Index is a readily accesscible volume of common organic and pharmaceutical molecules that sits on my bench ready for action. I have bought every issue from the 11th and found each one to be of value. I am an information scientist and pharmacist in the UK and it is of use to look up a molecule and get all the references to it's synthesis, it's patents it's actions etc and most of all it's structure, now in 3D (Well almost ) I will be buying this volume. Well done to Susan Budavari and her team

Affordable, indispensable., 05 Sep 1998
The Merck Index is another one of those rare reference books which achieves 'Biblical' status. It is essential reading for anyone who works with chemicals/biologicals/pharmaceuticals. Highly recommended!

Excellent affordable reference, 22 Jun 1998
The Merck Index contains detailed information for roughly 10000 relatively common chemicals found in industry, medicine, and agriculture. This book is a MUST-HAVE for anyone who works with chemicals or expects to come in contact with chemicals. Details include formula, structure, trade names, further bibliographic references, physical properties, some chemical reactivity data, uses, and information about human and veternary uses and toxicities. Common name and formula indices help the reader find what they are looking for.

PARENTS - this is actually a great book to give to aspiring students of the physical sciences. It is clear, accessible, and browsing through it begins to give the student a feel for the relationships between structure and activity.

gripping compelling late-night under-the-covers read, 25 Apr 1998
This book has everything a great book should have. The reader feels that the book speaks directly to his/her problems, and what the book has to say will make you laugh, cry, even slam the book shut and scream. It is somewhat heavy, but worth every ounce.

Lavishly illustrated guide to 1000 European species, 03 Aug 2007
This guide is on a par with the older Roger Phillips "Mushrooms" and very similar in size and format. Unlike Phillips, all photographs have been shot in situ. With so few guides to fungi available, and each covering a particular selection of species, it's best to assemble a good library - and this should be one of the major works. Even though the focus is Britain and Europe, many of the fungi have much wider ranges and this book is invaluable elsewhere in the world too (I use it regularly in temperate and tropical America).

Chris Sharpe, 3 August 2007. ISBN: 0711223793


Simply fantastic , 11 Dec 2006
I know nothing about fungi until a few weeks ago when using my macro lens I started filming various types simply as most of the insect life had gone to bed for the winter. To ID the pictures I needed a guide to what I was filming.

I spent a week or so looking through the Amazon listings and reading all the reader's reviews to try and get the best guide I could. (When I say the best I mean in terms of one I could use rather then something that was too basic or so advanced I'd be lost).

With only one review of this book I was in two minds to get or not, but then decided I would give it a go.

It came today and for the past few hours I have been going through it. The photos are all by natural light where ever possible,....that means a lot when you are trying to match it up with what you have seen or have a picture of. The pictures are also good at showing the conditions they are found in. The text is excellent for each species. At the front there are various chapters on how to ID the fungi, a colour key and a ID key for all the species featured in the book.

Having purchased various guides on insects, plants and wildlife in the past few months I have to say that I cannot imagine how Michael Jordan could have improved on this excellent guide and encyclopedia. My only wish is he turns his hand at an insect guide next!!! LOL.

Michael clearly loves his subject, and that love is so apparent in this book. A classic guide.

Very good quality & value for money, but difficult to use, 04 Nov 2006
* I am a complete fungi novice - please bare that in mind when reading this review! *

This fungi encyclopaedia by Michael Jordan is the 2004 revised edition of his highly regarded 1995 original. As a revised edition, you'd expect it to be excellent quality, and so it is; listing more than a thousand species with superb photographs and detailed descriptions.

The first `introductory' sections to this encyclopaedia, ending on p33, offer some very helpful advice on fungi biology and structure; with a `How to use this book' feature - which you'll need to read! - and a reference section with bibliography and glossary. The main encyclopaedia then follows.

If you take advantage of Amazon's excellent `Search Inside' feature, you'll see how Jordan lays out the entries. It's very thorough, with long, impossible to pronounce Latin names (very few have English names), dimensions, detailed descriptions of the cap, gills and stem of the fungi (if it has them), as well as microscopic analysis of the spores and any relevant chemical tests.

Anna and I are, therefore, starting to discover that the task of identifying each fungi accurately is legendarily difficult! This is not helped when names and classification of fungi are continually changing and, authors can apparetnly disagree on both. Also, it appears that fungi are continuing to evolve thus giving rise to frequent new strains.

As a novice, this is supremely difficult to overcome - but it is the nature of the fungal beast, not a fault of this book. However, relevant photographs of all listed fungi in their young, mature and `over-blown' state would be very useful. This is because a mushroom (for instance) that starts out as pink ball, may mature into a white umbrella shape. Unfortunately, this encyclopaedia only has some pictures of fungi in their young and/or old states.

I think Jordan's offering is as good an encyclopaedia as one can expect, and better than many. But the complexities of accurately identifying each species mean that it is always going to be a difficult to use volume. However, it is still top quality, managing to convey the author's passion and it represents superb value for money. Recommended.

Provides all the necessary study skills to become a Professional Nail Technician!, 14 Sep 2008
This is a book that provides comprehensive and detailed instruction in all aspects of Nail technology. Written by industry experts; it clearly illustrates the authors' expertise in this subject. For those Beauty Therapists who want to specialise in Nail technology and become Nail Technicians this book is a superb reference guide. A main feature of this book is the attention to detail in every aspect of becoming a Nail technician. Not only does it provide all the necessary study skills for becoming a professional; it provides opportunities for studying competition nail art and becoming a lecturer! It is clear the authors are passionate about the Nail industry and this book demonstrated this to a high degree. In educating students; this book also serves to ultimately raise the profile of the Nail technology industry. For lecturers who teach Beauty Therapy like me; I believe this can only be for the greater good of teaching standards within the Beauty Therapy industry.

the encyclopedia of nails, 15 Feb 2006
great book and it has really helped with my studies, a must have for any training nail tech.

Cant Live With Out It!, 22 Nov 2004
Im doing the nail treatments course at college and if it was not for this book I would never understand what I was doing.
It has helped me with all the A&P, H&S - Im looking forward to the sections on Extensions and nail art which we start in Jan 05.
If you dont have this book as part of your collection for your studies, you are missing out!

Excellent Book, 27 Apr 2004
I am at present taking a Manicure & Pedicure course at college
and haveused this book countless times to help with assignments and information. The book is concise, helpful and has excellent diagrams and pictures

A MUST HAVE !!!, 05 Mar 2004
This is a must have book for anyone in the beauty industry. I am a student beauty therapist, and have found both the technical information and the images, to be invaluable as part of my NVQ studies.

one word ..., 02 Jun 2004
i can think of one word to sum up this book, by scott cunningham... dearley remembered and missed by the wiccan and pagan comunity, the word is, excelant, because that is what it is. i have read it over and over, discovering more and more!
here is a sample of what you will find if you buy this simply superb book :
a stone tarrot- not the runes but using stones similar to runes with no symbols etc to forsee the future!

an encyclopidia of stones - very handy for those last minute spells etc when i have often found myseld sitting for half an hour going through my stones, looking them up in thousand of books and on the net, well not with this, simple and easy to use!

i can strongly recomend this to anyone!

Essential to any practising Wiccan, 27 Mar 2001
Everytime I'm preparing myself afor a spell I look through this book, triple checking that I have the correct stones for the job at hand. I also found the colour section at the beginning very useful. The only bit of criticism I have is that there weren't very many actual spells in the book but if you're just looking for help with making your own spells then this is the book for you!

All around excellent!, 06 Jul 1999
This book has everything you could ask for -- detailed info on the most popular crystals, uses, spells, correspondences, and even crystal divination. I would recommend this book to both beginners and experts.

Good Color Photos of Rocks and interesting Folk Lore., 06 May 1999
I purchased this book after seeing it as a reference book at one on my favorite Bead shops. I found the color illustration to be rather good and found the descriptions of the meaning of the stones to be interesting. It gives metaphysical description as well as a literal one. I would recommend this book since I own two copies of it. One for my home and one for my Dorm room. This book can be enjoyed by all age groups.

excellent resource, 24 Dec 1998
I really loved this book; I am really interested in crystal properties, and it states things plainly and easily. I use it constantly to check on certain stones, especially when an inexperienced friend calls on me as an expert! The only problems I have are that I'd have liked more specific spells listed, and more pictures for identifying stones. But all in all, a great book.

Disappointing, 02 Nov 2006
I bought this book having completed a basic homeopathy course. I was hoping that this would be the only book I needed to buy. Unfortunately I am a bit disappointed by it and end up referring to my notes from the course rather than looking in the book. It is nicely illustrated and good for looking at the varying remedies - but if you are looking for a remedy for an illness, I don't find it that useful or easy to use.

The short bible for organic chemistry, 16 Nov 2003
The long bible of organic chemistry is of course Chemical Abstracts, but the Merck Index is a readily accesscible volume of common organic and pharmaceutical molecules that sits on my bench ready for action. I have bought every issue from the 11th and found each one to be of value. I am an information scientist and pharmacist in the UK and it is of use to look up a molecule and get all the references to it's synthesis, it's patents it's actions etc and most of all it's structure, now in 3D (Well almost ) I will be buying this volume. Well done to Susan Budavari and her team

Affordable, indispensable., 05 Sep 1998
The Merck Index is another one of those rare reference books which achieves 'Biblical' status. It is essential reading for anyone who works with chemicals/biologicals/pharmaceuticals. Highly recommended!

Excellent affordable reference, 22 Jun 1998
The Merck Index contains detailed information for roughly 10000 relatively common chemicals found in industry, medicine, and agriculture. This book is a MUST-HAVE for anyone who works with chemicals or expects to come in contact with chemicals. Details include formula, structure, trade names, further bibliographic references, physical properties, some chemical reactivity data, uses, and information about human and veternary uses and toxicities. Common name and formula indices help the reader find what they are looking for.

PARENTS - this is actually a great book to give to aspiring students of the physical sciences. It is clear, accessible, and browsing through it begins to give the student a feel for the relationships between structure and activity.

gripping compelling late-night under-the-covers read, 25 Apr 1998
This book has everything a great book should have. The reader feels that the book speaks directly to his/her problems, and what the book has to say will make you laugh, cry, even slam the book shut and scream. It is somewhat heavy, but worth every ounce.

fabulous book!, 29 May 2007
I just recently ordered this from online sight unseen. Imagine my surprise when I also recently saw it featured at a mind, body, spirit show in London a couple of days ago.

I recognized the cover from the picture online and was drawn to look at it hands on at the festival. I was surprised at what a nice thick, comprehensive book this was when I picked it up and was glancing though it.

While I was looking through it a very lovely lady was asking me if I used essences and we got to chatting about what I practice as far as healing energies and techniques. I asked her what got her interested in esences and she told me her fascination of them as well. I found out she was the author of the book I was holding. Imagine my surprise when her PA came over to tell her about her next scheduled time slots for the show! She was also kind enough to sign a piece of paper for me so that I can place it in my book :)

If your looking for information on essences, if your a practioner of alternative therapies, or if this topic is purely of intrest in any way to you I would HIGHLY recommend this book. Its easy to understand, read and find what your looking for. Hope this helps you in your decision, Bless x

Lavishly illustrated guide to 1000 European species, 03 Aug 2007
This guide is on a par with the older Roger Phillips "Mushrooms" and very similar in size and format. Unlike Phillips, all photographs have been shot in situ. With so few guides to fungi available, and each covering a particular selection of species, it's best to assemble a good library - and this should be one of the major works. Even though the focus is Britain and Europe, many of the fungi have much wider ranges and this book is invaluable elsewhere in the world too (I use it regularly in temperate and tropical America).

Chris Sharpe, 3 August 2007. ISBN: 0711223793


Simply fantastic , 11 Dec 2006
I know nothing about fungi until a few weeks ago when using my macro lens I started filming various types simply as most of the insect life had gone to bed for the winter. To ID the pictures I needed a guide to what I was filming.

I spent a week or so looking through the Amazon listings and reading all the reader's reviews to try and get the best guide I could. (When I say the best I mean in terms of one I could use rather then something that was too basic or so advanced I'd be lost).

With only one review of this book I was in two minds to get or not, but then decided I would give it a go.

It came today and for the past few hours I have been going through it. The photos are all by natural light where ever possible,....that means a lot when you are trying to match it up with what you have seen or have a picture of. The pictures are also good at showing the conditions they are found in. The text is excellent for each species. At the front there are various chapters on how to ID the fungi, a colour key and a ID key for all the species featured in the book.

Having purchased various guides on insects, plants and wildlife in the past few months I have to say that I cannot imagine how Michael Jordan could have improved on this excellent guide and encyclopedia. My only wish is he turns his hand at an insect guide next!!! LOL.

Michael clearly loves his subject, and that love is so apparent in this book. A classic guide.

Very good quality & value for money, but difficult to use, 04 Nov 2006
* I am a complete fungi novice - please bare that in mind when reading this review! *

This fungi encyclopaedia by Michael Jordan is the 2004 revised edition of his highly regarded 1995 original. As a revised edition, you'd expect it to be excellent quality, and so it is; listing more than a thousand species with superb photographs and detailed descriptions.

The first `introductory' sections to this encyclopaedia, ending on p33, offer some very helpful advice on fungi biology and structure; with a `How to use this book' feature - which you'll need to read! - and a reference section with bibliography and glossary. The main encyclopaedia then follows.

If you take advantage of Amazon's excellent `Search Inside' feature, you'll see how Jordan lays out the entries. It's very thorough, with long, impossible to pronounce Latin names (very few have English names), dimensions, detailed descriptions of the cap, gills and stem of the fungi (if it has them), as well as microscopic analysis of the spores and any relevant chemical tests.

Anna and I are, therefore, starting to discover that the task of identifying each fungi accurately is legendarily difficult! This is not helped when names and classification of fungi are continually changing and, authors can apparetnly disagree on both. Also, it appears that fungi are continuing to evolve thus giving rise to frequent new strains.

As a novice, this is supremely difficult to overcome - but it is the nature of the fungal beast, not a fault of this book. However, relevant photographs of all listed fungi in their young, mature and `over-blown' state would be very useful. This is because a mushroom (for instance) that starts out as pink ball, may mature into a white umbrella shape. Unfortunately, this encyclopaedia only has some pictures of fungi in their young and/or old states.

I think Jordan's offering is as good an encyclopaedia as one can expect, and better than many. But the complexities of accurately identifying each species mean that it is always going to be a difficult to use volume. However, it is still top quality, managing to convey the author's passion and it represents superb value for money. Recommended.

Provides all the necessary study skills to become a Professional Nail Technician!, 14 Sep 2008
This is a book that provides comprehensive and detailed instruction in all aspects of Nail technology. Written by industry experts; it clearly illustrates the authors' expertise in this subject. For those Beauty Therapists who want to specialise in Nail technology and become Nail Technicians this book is a superb reference guide. A main feature of this book is the attention to detail in every aspect of becoming a Nail technician. Not only does it provide all the necessary study skills for becoming a professional; it provides opportunities for studying competition nail art and becoming a lecturer! It is clear the authors are passionate about the Nail industry and this book demonstrated this to a high degree. In educating students; this book also serves to ultimately raise the profile of the Nail technology industry. For lecturers who teach Beauty Therapy like me; I believe this can only be for the greater good of teaching standards within the Beauty Therapy industry.

the encyclopedia of nails, 15 Feb 2006
great book and it has really helped with my studies, a must have for any training nail tech.

Cant Live With Out It!, 22 Nov 2004
Im doing the nail treatments course at college and if it was not for this book I would never understand what I was doing.
It has helped me with all the A&P, H&S - Im looking forward to the sections on Extensions and nail art which we start in Jan 05.
If you dont have this book as part of your collection for your studies, you are missing out!

Excellent Book, 27 Apr 2004
I am at present taking a Manicure & Pedicure course at college
and haveused this book countless times to help with assignments and information. The book is concise, helpful and has excellent diagrams and pictures

A MUST HAVE !!!, 05 Mar 2004
This is a must have book for anyone in the beauty industry. I am a student beauty therapist, and have found both the technical information and the images, to be invaluable as part of my NVQ studies.

one word ..., 02 Jun 2004
i can think of one word to sum up this book, by scott cunningham... dearley remembered and missed by the wiccan and pagan comunity, the word is, excelant, because that is what it is. i have read it over and over, discovering more and more!
here is a sample of what you will find if you buy this simply superb book :
a stone tarrot- not the runes but using stones similar to runes with no symbols etc to forsee the future!

an encyclopidia of stones - very handy for those last minute spells etc when i have often found myseld sitting for half an hour going through my stones, looking them up in thousand of books and on the net, well not with this, simple and easy to use!

i can strongly recomend this to anyone!

Essential to any practising Wiccan, 27 Mar 2001
Everytime I'm preparing myself afor a spell I look through this book, triple checking that I have the correct stones for the job at hand. I also found the colour section at the beginning very useful. The only bit of criticism I have is that there weren't very many actual spells in the book but if you're just looking for help with making your own spells then this is the book for you!

All around excellent!, 06 Jul 1999
This book has everything you could ask for -- detailed info on the most popular crystals, uses, spells, correspondences, and even crystal divination. I would recommend this book to both beginners and experts.

Good Color Photos of Rocks and interesting Folk Lore., 06 May 1999
I purchased this book after seeing it as a reference book at one on my favorite Bead shops. I found the color illustration to be rather good and found the descriptions of the meaning of the stones to be interesting. It gives metaphysical description as well as a literal one. I would recommend this book since I own two copies of it. One for my home and one for my Dorm room. This book can be enjoyed by all age groups.

excellent resource, 24 Dec 1998
I really loved this book; I am really interested in crystal properties, and it states things plainly and easily. I use it constantly to check on certain stones, especially when an inexperienced friend calls on me as an expert! The only problems I have are that I'd have liked more specific spells listed, and more pictures for identifying stones. But all in all, a great book.

Disappointing, 02 Nov 2006
I bought this book having completed a basic homeopathy course. I was hoping that this would be the only book I needed to buy. Unfortunately I am a bit disappointed by it and end up referring to my notes from the course rather than looking in the book. It is nicely illustrated and good for looking at the varying remedies - but if you are looking for a remedy for an illness, I don't find it that useful or easy to use.

The short bible for organic chemistry, 16 Nov 2003
The long bible of organic chemistry is of course Chemical Abstracts, but the Merck Index is a readily accesscible volume of common organic and pharmaceutical molecules that sits on my bench ready for action. I have bought every issue from the 11th and found each one to be of value. I am an information scientist and pharmacist in the UK and it is of use to look up a molecule and get all the references to it's synthesis, it's patents it's actions etc and most of all it's structure, now in 3D (Well almost ) I will be buying this volume. Well done to Susan Budavari and her team

Affordable, indispensable., 05 Sep 1998
The Merck Index is another one of those rare reference books which achieves 'Biblical' status. It is essential reading for anyone who works with chemicals/biologicals/pharmaceuticals. Highly recommended!

Excellent affordable reference, 22 Jun 1998
The Merck Index contains detailed information for roughly 10000 relatively common chemicals found in industry, medicine, and agriculture. This book is a MUST-HAVE for anyone who works with chemicals or expects to come in contact with chemicals. Details include formula, structure, trade names, further bibliographic references, physical properties, some chemical reactivity data, uses, and information about human and veternary uses and toxicities. Common name and formula indices help the reader find what they are looking for.

PARENTS - this is actually a great book to give to aspiring students of the physical sciences. It is clear, accessible, and browsing through it begins to give the student a feel for the relationships between structure and activity.

gripping compelling late-night under-the-covers read, 25 Apr 1998
This book has everything a great book should have. The reader feels that the book speaks directly to his/her problems, and what the book has to say will make you laugh, cry, even slam the book shut and scream. It is somewhat heavy, but worth every ounce.

fabulous book!, 29 May 2007
I just recently ordered this from online sight unseen. Imagine my surprise when I also recently saw it featured at a mind, body, spirit show in London a couple of days ago.

I recognized the cover from the picture online and was drawn to look at it hands on at the festival. I was surprised at what a nice thick, comprehensive book this was when I picked it up and was glancing though it.

While I was looking through it a very lovely lady was asking me if I used essences and we got to chatting about what I practice as far as healing energies and techniques. I asked her what got her interested in esences and she told me her fascination of them as well. I found out she was the author of the book I was holding. Imagine my surprise when her PA came over to tell her about her next scheduled time slots for the show! She was also kind enough to sign a piece of paper for me so that I can place it in my book :)

If your looking for information on essences, if your a practioner of alternative therapies, or if this topic is purely of intrest in any way to you I would HIGHLY recommend this book. Its easy to understand, read and find what your looking for. Hope this helps you in your decision, Bless x

Excellent, 30 Mar 2008
A must have for anyone studying hair removal. No matter what level you are currently stuying it uses clear diagrams and easy instructions to help students understand. I have used it when studying both epilation and laser/IPL and found it an essential guide.

Lavishly illustrated guide to 1000 European species, 03 Aug 2007
This guide is on a par with the older Roger Phillips "Mushrooms" and very similar in size and format. Unlike Phillips, all photographs have been shot in situ. With so few guides to fungi available, and each covering a particular selection of species, it's best to assemble a good library - and this should be one of the major works. Even though the focus is Britain and Europe, many of the fungi have much wider ranges and this book is invaluable elsewhere in the world too (I use it regularly in temperate and tropical America).

Chris Sharpe, 3 August 2007. ISBN: 0711223793


Simply fantastic , 11 Dec 2006
I know nothing about fungi until a few weeks ago when using my macro lens I started filming various types simply as most of the insect life had gone to bed for the winter. To ID the pictures I needed a guide to what I was filming.

I spent a week or so looking through the Amazon listings and reading all the reader's reviews to try and get the best guide I could. (When I say the best I mean in terms of one I could use rather then something that was too basic or so advanced I'd be lost).

With only one review of this book I was in two minds to get or not, but then decided I would give it a go.

It came today and for the past few hours I have been going through it. The photos are all by natural light where ever possible,....that means a lot when you are trying to match it up with what you have seen or have a picture of. The pictures are also good at showing the conditions they are found in. The text is excellent for each species. At the front there are various chapters on how to ID the fungi, a colour key and a ID key for all the species featured in the book.

Having purchased various guides on insects, plants and wildlife in the past few months I have to say that I cannot imagine how Michael Jordan could have improved on this excellent guide and encyclopedia. My only wish is he turns his hand at an insect guide next!!! LOL.

Michael clearly loves his subject, and that love is so apparent in this book. A classic guide.

Very good quality & value for money, but difficult to use, 04 Nov 2006
* I am a complete fungi novice - please bare that in mind when reading this review! *

This fungi encyclopaedia by Michael Jordan is the 2004 revised edition of his highly regarded 1995 original. As a revised edition, you'd expect it to be excellent quality, and so it is; listing more than a thousand species w