The Light Eaters is one of those science books in which the author travels to richly described locales to interview assorted researchers at work and to vividly describe their discoveries for a general audience.

Schlanger’s focus on the botanists themselves overcomes a challenge inherent to science writing: where to find drama.

Grounded in the history of botany, [Schlanger] lucidly and vividly explains startling findings about plant communication, memory, decision-making, motion, sense (touch, hearing, vision), defenses, kin recognition, altruism, and many other forms of green intelligence.

This is that rare book that fascinates, challenges widely held assumptions, and enlightens in like measure.

An astounding exploration of the remarkable abilities of plants and fungi.