Book Review by C. Smith
Book by Dan Koeppel
At the Southern Food and Beverage Museum, we are preparing to create a dynamic new exhibit that focuses on the banana. We are researching bananas and have found a great book to pass onto anyone else who is interested in the subject.
You should be interested in the fate of the banana because it is the most cultivated fruit in the world. Actually, Americans eat more bananas than apples and oranges combined. In fact, bananas are the fourth most cultivated crop in the word, behind rice, corn and wheat.
However, bananas are in big-time trouble and scientists are concerned if the banana will survive. Every banana we buy is a genetic duplicate of every other banana. It’s the identical nature of the fruit that makes it so easy to grow and transport. It’s also what makes the plant so susceptible to blights that can wipe out an entire crop.
Dan Koeppel’s book, “Banana, The Fate of the Fruit That Changed the World” is a great read. It covers all the territory — history, science, cultivation, culture and the sad history of the American companies that became the epitome of colonialism.
The author is at his best when he discusses the urgent need to solve the plight of the banana. He explains scientific concepts in a manner easy for anyone to understand. Koeppel’s writing style makes the book an easy read.
If you are looking for a good, solid book about bananas, one that provides a logical overview of the banana and the banana industry, this is a great read.
