Gods, Wasps and Stranglers
The Secret History and Redemptive Future of Fig Trees
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Narrated by:
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James Cameron Stewart
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Written by:
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Mike Shanahan
About this listen
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 rainforests. 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.
©2016 Mike Shanahan (P)2017 Chelsea Green PublishingWhat listeners say about Gods, Wasps and Stranglers
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- JohnS
- 2020-08-06
Wonderful book!
This is an example of excellent nature writing. This book presents a fascinating look at a fascinating tree and the symbiotic relationship between it and a type of wasp. Much learning. Thoroughly enjoyable. The narration is flawless.
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