The Truffle Underground: A Tale of Mystery, Mayhem, and Manipulation in the Shadowy Market of the World's Most Expensive Fungus Paperback – June 4, 2019

This book was an absolutely fascinating glimpse into the secretive business of truffles. Ninety-five percent of it is an entertaining romp (even when the participants are behaving badly), but be aware that the passages on the poisoning and theft of truffle dogs are disturbing.

I kept expecting one specific story to follow through to the end, but what I got was a (rather depressing) series of small stories, showing how what is apparently a wonderful food item leads nearly universally to trouble, illegality, and violence. Nonetheless, a fascinating read!

Thought this was an interesting compelling and quick read. I liked that it doesn’t just one focus on one story or one person but instead gives a 360 view of the truffle industry.

I've only eaten truffles once, a few years back in a small village in Italy. The restaurant had a good reputation for truffles. The meal was not overly expensive, and to me the truffles didn't taste like much. After reading this book, I realize that there's no telling what exactly I was eating, or where it came from. Apparently this book was an expansion of a magazine article. And, unfortunately, it feels like it, as much of the content feels like space-filler, and quite repetitive filler at that. So, if you'd like to learn a bit about the truffle industry, this book is fine, but on the whole it's not a compelling read.

An amazingly well written and captivating book. This appeals to fiction and nonfiction readers alike. You will not be able to put this book down. Do yourself a favor and put Truffle Underground on your must read list for the summer!

Good book. Interesting subject.

I loved this book. I just finished it, and I've already sent out two copies as gifts. Beautifully written, fascinating topic, and a nice dash of escapism.

This fascinating, well-written book was the perfect gift for an American friend of mine who has lived in Northern Italy and who is a connoisseur of all things Italian.

Are two stars too low? Maybe, but to me this reads more like a freshman college research paper than a book on a fascinating subject.I was offended right up front by the fact that the author knew almost nothing about the topic before he started writing about it. It's like he thought, "Hey, I can probably get a book out of this stuff." There was, in my humble opinion, little passion and limited interest by the writer.Sorry if I'm too harsh – knowing something about food and about the production of truffles as I do I couldn't make it past the second chapter. Maybe you'll have more luck with it.