Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share Gods, Wasps and Stranglers Audiobook by Mike Shanahan
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
Gods, Wasps and Stranglers Audiobook by Mike Shanahan
Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.
Title: Gods, Wasps and Stranglers
Subtitle: The Secret History and Redemptive Future of Fig Trees
Author: Mike Shanahan
Narrator: James Cameron Stewart
Format: Unabridged
Length: 4 hrs and 42 mins
Language: English
Release date: 11-28-17
Publisher: Chelsea Green Publishing
Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 1 votes
Genres: History, World
Publisher's Summary:
They are trees of life and trees of knowledge. They are wish-fulfillers, rain forest royalty, more precious than gold. They are the fig trees, and they have affected humanity in profound but little-known ways. Gods, Wasps and Stranglers tells their amazing story. Fig trees fed our prehuman ancestors, influenced diverse cultures, and played key roles in the dawn of civilization. They feature in every major religion, starring alongside Adam and Eve, Krishna and Buddha, Jesus and Muhammad. This is no coincidence - fig trees are special. They evolved when giant dinosaurs still roamed and have been shaping our world ever since.
These trees intrigued Aristotle and amazed Alexander the Great. They were instrumental in Kenya's struggle for independence and helped restore life after Krakatoa's catastrophic eruption. Egypt's Pharaohs hoped to meet fig trees in the afterlife, and Queen Elizabeth II was asleep in one when she ascended the throne.
And all because 80 million years ago these trees cut a curious deal with some tiny wasps. Thanks to this deal, figs sustain more species of birds and mammals than any other trees, making them vital to rain forests. In a time of falling trees and rising temperatures, their story offers hope. Ultimately, it's a story about humanity's relationship with nature. The story of the fig trees stretches back tens of millions of years, but it is as relevant to our future as it is to our past.
Members Reviews:
I enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would
I enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would! I am into gardening and have even had a few fruit trees now and again, but never figs. I do enjoy eating figs tho' and hoped it would be at least an amusing read. Wow! It surpassed all my expectations! What an extraordinary read this was! Well, researched, interesting and entertaining! Who knew a fig could be so intriguing? Great read if you enjoy growing things. Make a great gift for gardeners or orchard growing friends, too.
Interesting, educational, adventurous and inspiring
Just finished reading this excellent book, what an adventure story! It is beautifully written and the author has obviously had some unique study opportunities in rain forests throughout his career. I really appreciated his respect for local people's and their myths. I found it a very educational yet entertaining read. I had known a bit about the role of fungus and mushrooms in forest development but was inspired to find out about the central role of the fig tree. I hope we can collectively use this knowledge to ultimately save ourselves!
Bought this for my mom and she absolutely loved it --- she's now reading it over again
Bought this for my mom and she absolutely loved it --- she's now reading it over again. Of course, she is crazy about figs and nature in general.
Who could believe the amazing history of this little fig? An amazing story!
Fascinating - I loved it and purchased another copy for friends. Read a notice a few years ago that you were working on this book and have been looking forward to it. Congratulations!
Interesting read
I read this after hearing an interview with the author on NPR . It is a book I would not have likely stumbled upon otherwise. Beautifully written, and very educational.
View all episodes
By DOWNLOAD FULL AUDIOBOOKS FOR FREE ON HOTAUDIOBOOK.COMPlease open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.
Title: Gods, Wasps and Stranglers
Subtitle: The Secret History and Redemptive Future of Fig Trees
Author: Mike Shanahan
Narrator: James Cameron Stewart
Format: Unabridged
Length: 4 hrs and 42 mins
Language: English
Release date: 11-28-17
Publisher: Chelsea Green Publishing
Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 1 votes
Genres: History, World
Publisher's Summary:
They are trees of life and trees of knowledge. They are wish-fulfillers, rain forest royalty, more precious than gold. They are the fig trees, and they have affected humanity in profound but little-known ways. Gods, Wasps and Stranglers tells their amazing story. Fig trees fed our prehuman ancestors, influenced diverse cultures, and played key roles in the dawn of civilization. They feature in every major religion, starring alongside Adam and Eve, Krishna and Buddha, Jesus and Muhammad. This is no coincidence - fig trees are special. They evolved when giant dinosaurs still roamed and have been shaping our world ever since.
These trees intrigued Aristotle and amazed Alexander the Great. They were instrumental in Kenya's struggle for independence and helped restore life after Krakatoa's catastrophic eruption. Egypt's Pharaohs hoped to meet fig trees in the afterlife, and Queen Elizabeth II was asleep in one when she ascended the throne.
And all because 80 million years ago these trees cut a curious deal with some tiny wasps. Thanks to this deal, figs sustain more species of birds and mammals than any other trees, making them vital to rain forests. In a time of falling trees and rising temperatures, their story offers hope. Ultimately, it's a story about humanity's relationship with nature. The story of the fig trees stretches back tens of millions of years, but it is as relevant to our future as it is to our past.
Members Reviews:
I enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would
I enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would! I am into gardening and have even had a few fruit trees now and again, but never figs. I do enjoy eating figs tho' and hoped it would be at least an amusing read. Wow! It surpassed all my expectations! What an extraordinary read this was! Well, researched, interesting and entertaining! Who knew a fig could be so intriguing? Great read if you enjoy growing things. Make a great gift for gardeners or orchard growing friends, too.
Interesting, educational, adventurous and inspiring
Just finished reading this excellent book, what an adventure story! It is beautifully written and the author has obviously had some unique study opportunities in rain forests throughout his career. I really appreciated his respect for local people's and their myths. I found it a very educational yet entertaining read. I had known a bit about the role of fungus and mushrooms in forest development but was inspired to find out about the central role of the fig tree. I hope we can collectively use this knowledge to ultimately save ourselves!
Bought this for my mom and she absolutely loved it --- she's now reading it over again
Bought this for my mom and she absolutely loved it --- she's now reading it over again. Of course, she is crazy about figs and nature in general.
Who could believe the amazing history of this little fig? An amazing story!
Fascinating - I loved it and purchased another copy for friends. Read a notice a few years ago that you were working on this book and have been looking forward to it. Congratulations!
Interesting read
I read this after hearing an interview with the author on NPR . It is a book I would not have likely stumbled upon otherwise. Beautifully written, and very educational.