The bananas we eat today aren't our parents' bananas: We eat a recognizable, consistent fruit that was standardized in the 1960s from dozens into one basic banana. But because of that, the banana we love is dangerously susceptible to a pathogen that might wipe them out. That's the story of our...

The rise of consumer capitalism -- Consumption contested -- The organized consumer -- Consumer risk -- Consumer information -- Standards versus contracts -- Price and quality -- The consumer as citizen.