Book cover of Gods, Wasps and Stranglers: The Secret History and Redemptive Future of Fig Trees

Book description

Over millions of years, fig trees have shaped our world, influenced our evolution, nourished our bodies and fed our imaginations. And as author and ecologist Mike Shanahan proclaims, "The best could be yet to come."

Gods, Wasps and Stranglers weaves together the mythology, history and ecology of one of…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Gods, Wasps and Stranglers as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

This little book (167 pages) is all about the fig tree. I knew nothing about fig trees before reading this, but got interested after seeing large Banyon trees growing near my home in Florida. I found this book fascinating as the author describes these trees. For example, I didn't know that each type of the 400+ types of fig trees relies on an individual wasp species to pollinate it.
The author, Mike Shanahan does a great job explaining a complex topic in a way that anyone can understand. This is not a small thing. It takes real skill to be…

If you love Gods, Wasps and Stranglers...

Book cover of These Blue Mountains

These Blue Mountains by Sarah Loudin Thomas,

A moving story of love, betrayal, and the enduring power of hope in the face of darkness.

German pianist Hedda Schlagel's world collapsed when her fiancé, Fritz, vanished after being sent to an enemy alien camp in the United States during the Great War. Fifteen years later, in 1932, Hedda…

Want books like Gods, Wasps and Stranglers?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 75 books like Gods, Wasps and Stranglers.

Browse books like Gods, Wasps and Stranglers

Book cover of Ladders to Heaven
Book cover of The Island of Missing Trees
Book cover of The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,366

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like Gods, Wasps and Stranglers, you might also like...

Book cover of Marriage and Fatherhood in the Nazi SS

Marriage and Fatherhood in the Nazi SS by Amy Carney,

When I was writing this book, several of my friends jokingly called it the Nazi baby book, with one insisting it would make a great title. Nazi Babies – admittedly, that is a catchy title, but that’s not exactly what my book is about. SS babies would be slightly more…

Book cover of A Forgivable Indecision

A Forgivable Indecision by Shawn Jennings,

In 1913, a 15-year-old pregnant girl was found dead of apparent suicide. Dr. James Wilson, a new graduate and the first doctor ever to start a practice in this rural town, feels guilty over her death because of his delayed intervention.

He knows Bessie was raped by one of her…

5 book lists we think you will like!