<P>All mushrooms are cool, but the ones discussed in 100 Cool Mushrooms are especially cool. Authors Michael Kuo and Andy Methven cover a broad spectrum of notable North American mushrooms: from common fungi that are widely distributed and frequently found, to rare mushrooms that are not found in field guides; from the beautiful to the ugly (and even disgusting).</P><P>Each is described and shown, including its ecology and physical features. Inside, you'll find mushrooms such as:<BR><BR>Phallus rubicundus, a stinkhorn that in certain areas appears to be spreading on wood chips sold as commercial mulch. Now you might just find it in your backyard.<BR><BR>Cordyceps militaris, a little orange club fungus that grows in insects, then explodes from their bodies.<BR><BR>Piptoporus betulinus, a mushroom commonly found on birch trees, was found carefully packed in the belongings of the Tyrolean Iceman. Archaeologists speculate that he used it for medicinal purposes.<BR><BR>. . . and 97 more!</P><P>Dr. Michael Kuo, the principal developer of MushroomExpert.Com, is an English teacher in Illinois and an amateur mycologist. He is the author of Morels and 100 Edible Mushrooms.</P><P>Dr. Andrew Methven is Professor of Mycology and Chair of the Biology Department at Eastern Illinois University.</P>