The most popular fruit in the world is really a giant berry that grows on a tree that is actually a humongous herb. Koeppel (a Los Angeles-based science writer) relates the unexpectedly fascinating story of the banana from scientific, cultural, and ruthless "banana republic" commercial and political perspectives. The well-researched book includes illustrations and a time line (from the banana as the possible biblical forbidden fruit, to the imminent biotech future that seems necessary to save monoculture bananas from being decimated by disease).
