The fact that Oxford University Press seeks out world-renowned experts in their respective fields to write the volumes of the press’ Very Short Introductions series is not surprising. However what really makes the extra bit of difference in each volume and what has made the series as a whole such a resounding success is that just being at the top of ones field isn’t enough; one also has to be an exceptionally skilled writer, capable of explaining often complex subjects clearly and succinctly to a general but admittedly curious readership, in order to make the grade.
Take the new volume Fungi; A Very Short Introduction by Nicholas P. Money for example. Professor Money is director of the western program in the department of biology at Miami University with areas of expertise in both fungal biology and… wait for it… communicating science.
Of course, those who have read his previous books, such as the very informative Mushroom and Triumph of the Fungi; A Rotten History will likely not find this surprising; knowing already his skill in both these areas. (He is also, by the way, the author of a previously published VSI volume: Microbiology.)
