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Banana: The Fate of the Fruit That Changed the World Paperback – Illustrated, December 30, 2008

by Dan Koeppel (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 461 ratings
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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 for thought. Fast-paced and highly entertaining, Banana takes us from jungle to supermarket, from corporate boardrooms to kitchen tables around the world. We begin in the Garden of Eden—examining scholars’ belief that Eve’s “apple” was actually a banana— and travel to early-twentieth-century Central America, where aptly named “banana republics” rose and fell over the crop, while the companies now known as Chiquita and Dole conquered the marketplace. Koeppel then chronicles the banana’s path to the present, ultimately—and most alarmingly—taking us to banana plantations across the globe that are being destroyed by a fast-moving blight, with no cure in sight—and to the high-tech labs where new bananas are literally being built in test tubes, in a race to save the world’s most beloved fruit.
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  1. Print length
    304 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Plume
  4. Publication date
    December 30, 2008
  5. Dimensions
    5.2 x 0.7 x 7.95 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    9780452290082
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0452290082
  8. See all details
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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
461 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book informative and easy to read. They appreciate the well-researched information on the history of bananas. The stories are told in an engaging narrative style. Many readers describe the book as a great read for fans of bananas.

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ReadabilityInformation qualityHistoryStory qualityTaste
66 customers mention "Readability"63 positive3 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and informative. They appreciate the well-written and researched content. The story is engaging and fun to follow, making it a worthwhile read for readers of all ages.

"...Koeppel is an experienced writer who knows how to break down concepts like how bananas propogate and how diseases spread...." Read more

"...Very eye opening. The reading style of the book was very good as well. Easy to read and stories were told in an interesting way." Read more

"...A good, quick read (2 nights), but not one that is going to have a permanent home on my bookshelf" Read more

"...to an average reader, not a researcher, and this is what makes the book so good...." Read more

56 customers mention "Information quality"52 positive4 negative

Customers find the book informative and engaging. They appreciate the well-researched and interesting facts. The book provides them with fun facts to share with others. It demonstrates that geography and science can be interesting when presented in an accessible way.

"...through the evelotion of the Banana, it's cultural history, it's scientific rebirth, and the economical/socialogical back lash of this little yellow..." Read more

"Dan Koeppel has written an informative fast-paced book detailing the rise and fall of the global banana industry, bringing us along over decades of..." Read more

"...Very eye opening. The reading style of the book was very good as well. Easy to read and stories were told in an interesting way." Read more

"...It proved to me that geography and science can be very interesting if they are put into a form that you understand," or "I picked this up on a lark..." Read more

43 customers mention "History"43 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's history of bananas interesting and informative. They say it provides a rich insight into the banana and its cultural impact. The book moves seamlessly between history and science using engaging characters. Readers appreciate the engaging storytelling and find it an enjoyable read for those interested in history.

"...It pretty much goes through the evelotion of the Banana, it's cultural history, it's scientific rebirth, and the economical/socialogical back lash..." Read more

"...Hint: it’s one of the most interesting fruit species out there, is not a tree, and it’s like grass on steroids...." Read more

"A combination history and information about bananas. I loved the look at the banana itself and what makes it what it is...." Read more

"...Politics, science and history are well discussed, but I really would have liked a little more about the impact of this fruit on lives of..." Read more

27 customers mention "Story quality"22 positive5 negative

Customers find the stories engaging and well-told. They describe the book as an easy read with a balanced narrative. Readers appreciate the narrative non-fiction style that appeals to them directly. The book covers a topic they are unfamiliar with, moving through layers of time, space, and politics in a fun and informative way.

"This was an extremely interesting and informative book. It was packed with information but was written in a way that was rarely if ever boring...." Read more

"...Easy to read and stories were told in an interesting way." Read more

"I enjoyed this book for revealing the actual, factual story of 'Big Banana' in Central and South America...." Read more

"Narrative non-fiction, as a technique, appeals so directly to readers that it can be used to reveal the plight of almost any animal or plant, such..." Read more

5 customers mention "Taste"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's information about bananas. They find it informative and great for those who love bananas, history, and plants. Readers recommend it to foodies and sociology enthusiasts.

"...free for over a year after this book, but couldn't resist its sweet delicous flavor and easy access to potasium, I in the least try to buy only free..." Read more

"...Sounds tasty. Wish I knew what it looked like...." Read more

"...of one supplier which piqued my interest, this book supplied me with a nourishing treat." Read more

"...In fact, I'm on a hunt to find some of those great tasting bananas he highly recommends instead of the regular variety! Great read!" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Giuseppe
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book but it may take your appetite for bananas away
    Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This was an extremely interesting and informative book. It was packed with information but was written in a way that was rarely if ever boring. It pretty much goes through the evelotion of the Banana, it's cultural history, it's scientific rebirth, and the economical/socialogical back lash of this little yellow fruit. You will know more than you ever wanted to know about the Banana industry and may make you feel quite guilty about eating a Banana. Personally I went banana free for over a year after this book, but couldn't resist its sweet delicous flavor and easy access to potasium, I in the least try to buy only free trade & organic whenever possible.
    One person found this helpful
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  • john purcell
    4.0 out of 5 stars Yes We Have No Bananas Today
    Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Dan Koeppel has written an informative fast-paced book detailing the rise and fall of the global banana industry, bringing us along over decades of conflict over land ownership, labor's share of profits, rights of owners of capital, property rights, and self-governance. We start at the very beginning since some believe that the Garden of Eden was the place to grow bananas and not apples. Bananas were transformed in the 19th century from a local fruit to a global market by some adventurous, ruthless, and clever entrepreneurs who overcame issues of distance and spoiling to put cheap bananas in every grocery store in the US. Today the descendants of these pioneering plantation managers, railroad tycoons, and shipping magnates run Dole and Chiquita and still supply us with bananas.

    Any venture this large and profitable will undoubtedly lead to arguments over the division of profits. Central American politicians and farm workers were not in agreement with the share taken by Chiquita. The international banana companies (Chiquita had eliminated most of its competition through punitive trade wars and acquisition) felt their property rights, capital, and technology were at risk. In Honduras, Guatemala, and Ecuador this became a real fight in most cases as politicians brought in the military and covert forces to figure it all out.

    The other interesting sections here deal with the inherent difficulties in growing and breeding bananas as they are seedless (we would not care to eat them as much otherwise) and sexless (they dont reproduce as much as grow into an adjacent plant). The first bananas to be globally commercialized were the Gros Michael, which ultimately was replaced by today's Cavendish. The Gros Michael disappeared due to Panama disease and other ailments despite the industry's efforts which included endless replanting, field flooding, and application of enough chemicals to turn workers blue.

    For many years various researchers have worked on the next generation banana, as the Cavendish itself is subject to the same diseases that ultimately did in the Gros Michael. The Cavendish was selected as it was less suspectible but Keoppel claims its days are numbered as well. Only in certain especially forelorn sections of impoverished Africa (such as Uganda where the economy is banana based) are genetically modified bananas grown. Those of us in the west may ultimately need to eat GM bananas or no bananas.

    This is a good informative book for both the general audience and the trade. Koeppel is an experienced writer who knows how to break down concepts like how bananas propogate and how diseases spread. He is especially talented at tying in the historical and political content. His evidence to support the impending demise of the Cavendish hypothesis is a bit weak. His bias against big powerful industry shows at times but that is probabaly healthy.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Tomas Marquez
    5.0 out of 5 stars An uncommon tale of the most common fruit
    Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This book does an amazing job telling the history and the challenges of the humble banana. Hint: it’s one of the most interesting fruit species out there, is not a tree, and it’s like grass on steroids.

    Every banana tree is a clone, and that makes it pretty vulnerable to blights.
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  • Alfred Thompson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating look at a history few of us know
    Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    A combination history and information about bananas. I loved the look at the banana itself and what makes it what it is. It was also interesting to see an unvarnished look at the business of bananas and how that impacted politics and economies. Very eye opening.

    The reading style of the book was very good as well. Easy to read and stories were told in an interesting way.
    One person found this helpful
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  • C. Mayer
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but not exactly a 'keeper'
    Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2010
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed this book for revealing the actual, factual story of 'Big Banana' in Central and South America. It was good to finally read an account of what ACTUALLY happened, as opposed to the generalized 'it was a very bad time' story that one hears from people who either lived through it themselves, or heard it from their parents. Or worse, other writers who have either downplayed the villainy of these companies, or exaggerated it to demonic proportions. The reality was ugly enough.
    Having visited and/or lived in some of the banana growing regions of the Western Hemisphere, I can tell you the damage is/was real, and continues to this day. The runoff from banana fields contaminates every body of water for miles around an active field.

    The writing in here was pretty good. Not great, but not bad. The style is a little breezy in spots, but thats to be expected in a 'popular' book of this subject matter. I really think a few more photos would have enhanced this book tremendously, as well as a slightly more scholarly tone in a few areas. However, I realize that this is personal preference, and does not detract from the quality of the book. It just got a bit 'chatty' for my taste.

    I would have given a 4 star, but the book lacks any detailed horticultural information (other than discussion of the use of pesticides), and that seems like an appropriate and needed addition to a book that tries to discuss a fruit that supports millions of lives. Politics, science and history are well discussed, but I really would have liked a little more about the impact of this fruit on lives of individuals who depend on it for daily sustenance. Horticultural info, a deeper discussion of varieties (including some more obscure cultivars), recipes, maps...something that would make this book less disposable.

    A good, quick read (2 nights), but not one that is going to have a permanent home on my bookshelf
    21 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Such a Surprise Page Turner!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I was reading a travel book on the Caribbean, and this book was mentioned as suggested reading. I was intrigued and went ahead and put it on my Kindle. Who knew that I would be so fascinated by bananas? Dan Koeppel writes to an average reader, not a researcher, and this is what makes the book so good. I was able to understand the history and importance of the banana quite easily, and Mr. Koeppel wrote it in such a casual way that it drew me in from beginning to end. As someone who had no previous knowledge of the history of bananas, I learned so much and would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves the fruit. This was such a great read. Five stars for sure.
    10 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very intersting
    Reviewed in Canada on November 29, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Great story about the "taken for granted" banana and its history.
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  • face
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 30, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    a great read. great condition.
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  • Varun
    5.0 out of 5 stars Keep ypu stick like a glue
    Reviewed in India on June 19, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Perfect DNA of Banana
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  • Rene
    5.0 out of 5 stars Jeder, der Bananen mag, sollte dieses Buch lesen
    Reviewed in Germany on April 11, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Eine unheimlich spannende und informative Reise in die Welt der Bananenindustrie.

    Kennen Sie "Gros Michel"? Nein? Das war die Bananensorte, die noch Mitte des 20. Jahrhunderts in Aller Munde war, bevor sie durch einen Schimmelpilz ("Panama Disease") vernichtet wurde. der "Dicke Michael" war geschmackvoller, robuster und größer als unsere heutige "Cavendish" - was heute auf unseren Teller kommt ist ein wahrer Rückschritt.
    Aber auch die Cavendish ist seit einigen Jahren wieder Bedroht - von einer Mutation des originalen Panama Disease Pilzes. Doch heute fehlt eine Ersatzsorte und die Banane, wie wir sie kennen, kann aussterben.

    Was klingt wie eine Utopie ist aber tatsächlich Realität.

    Dan Koeppel nimmt uns mit auf eine Reise durch die Zeit: Von der Geschichte der Banane, über den Stand der heutigen Bananenindustrie und die Auswirkungen von Monokulturen und Preiskämpfen, und gibt einen Ausblick in die Zukunft - mit oder ohne Banane.
    Ein interessanter Einblick in die Welt der modernen Lebensmittelindustrie, und viele - teils unglaubliche - Informationen über eine Frucht, die wir als selbstverständlich erachten. Ein Buch für alle, die Bananen lieben und mehr darüber wissen wollen, woher die gebogene gelbe Frucht eigentlich kommt.
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  • C. Vremec
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books I've read
    Reviewed in Germany on January 3, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This book is a little treasure trove of information, interesting anecdotes, and open questions. I read it quickly and it stayed with me a long time, I find myself recommending it to everyone. The style is clear and easy to follow even in the more technical topics, and it covers thousand of years in a very entertaining way. A must read for everyone interested in ecology, sustainability, and dinner conversations!
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