Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake Summary
Overview of Entangled Life
Discover the hidden kingdom beneath our feet - fungi networks that shape our world and minds. This million-copy bestseller, praised by Helen Macdonald as "truly life-changing," reveals how mushrooms could solve environmental crises while challenging everything you thought you knew about intelligence.
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The Hidden Kingdom That Shapes Our World
Beneath our feet lies an entire kingdom of life so vast, so influential, yet so hidden that most of us barely acknowledge its existence. Fungi-neither plant nor animal but something else entirely-form one of life's great kingdoms, yet we've documented less than 10% of an estimated 3.8 million species. These organisms sustain all terrestrial life, digesting pollutants, making soil, nourishing plants, and influencing our atmosphere. The more we learn about fungi, the less makes sense without them. Plants only left water 500 million years ago through collaboration with fungi that served as their root systems. Today, over 90% of plants depend on mycorrhizal fungi, forming what scientists call the "wood wide web." Four hundred million years ago, enormous fungal structures called Prototaxites dominated landscapes, standing taller than buildings when plants were barely knee-high. Humans have deployed fungal solutions since before we were Homo sapiens. Neanderthals used penicillin-producing molds to treat infections 50,000 years ago. Beyond medicine, fungi produce 60% of industrial enzymes and 15% of vaccines. Despite their importance, fungi have received minimal scientific attention compared to plants and animals-a striking oversight given how fungi challenge our fundamental concepts about life itself.
The Seductive Chemistry of Fungal Communication
Living Networks: Intelligence Without Brains
The Revolutionary Power of Symbiosis
Mind-Altering Fungi: Chemical Manipulation and Healing
The Ancient Partnership That Made Land Life Possible
Radical Solutions: Fungi as Environmental Allies
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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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