Informative, interesting book on the United Fruit company - which later became known as Chiquita - and their expansion across and exploitation of Central America from mid 19th century toward today. An empire unto itself - with close allies in the US govt - their practices in propaganda, intervening in govts, union busting, pollution, worker exploitation and generally rigging the game they were a blueprint for later globalisation.
pickLast book I reviewed was about how coffee has screwed large parts of central and southern American, this book .... fruit. In the late 19th and 20th century, several m major American companies used the cheap resources of the local communities to produce a variety of new tropical fruits including bananas. By the 1950‘s said fruit companies assisted by the CIA were overthrowing governments who dared to ask for a share of the profits (Damned commies)
Been reading a chapter of this a day. It's a fascinating little book on food history & food industry history. Did you know that the banana plant isn't a tree, but in fact the world's tallest grass? #themoreyouknow #ialsolovethebrightyellowcover
pickThis was quick and informative. As nonfiction goes, it was an easy read, and interesting enough.
Bananas: How the United Fruit Company Shaped the World | 
