Banana

By Dan Koeppel,

Book cover of Banana: The Fate of the Fruit That Changed the World

Book description

In the vein of Mark Kurlansky's bestselling Salt and Cod, a gripping chronicle of the myth, mystery, and uncertain fate of the world's most popular fruit

In this fascinating and surprising exploration of the banana's history, cultural significance, and endangered future, award-winning journalist Dan Koeppel gives readers plenty of food…

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Why read it?

1 author picked Banana as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Without this book who would know that this popular fruit is in danger of disappearing because of a disease? 

Koeppel does a great job presenting the overlooked history of a fruit common to our grocery stores and corner markets. Most of the book focuses on the single variety of banana available everywhere and provides a good overview of different banana varieties used in Africa and Asia as local food staples.

The book also delves into how these varieties are threatened by plant diseases and provides a historical perspective of “Banana Republics,” controlled and manipulated by the powerful banana corporations in…

From John's list on plants that changed the world.

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