The Biography of Bananas reveals the murky past and uncertain future of the tasty banana. Almost unknown in North America before the 1870s, bananas quickly became a popular fruit with a rocky history. Colorful photographs and maps help explain who grows your bananas, how they are harvested, and why the banana may soon become extinct. Other topics include
• What is a commodity?
• the spread of bananas through trade routes
• where and how bananas are grown
• the growth of the banana plantations and banana republics
• technical and genetic improvements to the banana, including new varieties
• environmental issues such as land use and pesticides
• why bananas are becoming extinct
Teacher's guide available.