Synopses & Reviews
A guided tour inside the world of bees
Overtaxed and underrecognized-and now disappearing in alarming numbers- bees are the unsung heroes of the food chain, essential for the pollination of more than ninety of the crops we eat. The hardworking, humble, and matriarchal bee finally gets her due in this engaging and expertly written guide that will appeal to anyone who's ever been curious about the mysterious and always-buzzing world of bees.
Beekeeper Susan Brackney explains:
• Why honeybees are disappearing-and what we can do about it
• Who's who in the hive-the queen bee, the workers, and the drones
• Bees by the numbers-the number of bees per hive, the number of wing beats per second, and other fascinating facts
• Gardening tips to attract and support honeybees
• The beekeeper's trade-the essential equipment and the latest tools, a day in the life, and more
• Honey, pollen, wax, royal jelly, mead, and other products of the sweet life
• The secrets behind making a bee beard (or bee bikini) with live bees
...and much more
Synopsis
A fascinating guided tour through the history, folklore, and function of the endangered honeybee.
Featured recently in major national news stories because they are disappearing at an alarming rate, bees are the unsung-and absolutely essential- heroes of the food chain. Now they get their due in this delightfully illustrated, fact-filled book, courtesy of a professional beekeeper and nature writer who explores:
a Why honey bees are disappearing-and what we can do about it
a Who's who in the hive-the queen bee, the workers, and the drones
a The role of bees in our food system
a Swarming behavior-what it is, what it means, and how it's controlled
a Bees by the numbers-number of bees per hive, number of wing beats per second, and other fascinating facts
a Bees in folklore, literature, and pop culture
a And much more
Synopsis
Honeybees get their due in this delightfully illustrated, fact-filled work that offers a guided tour through the history, folklore, and function of the hardest-working creatures on the planet.
About the Author
Susan Brackney is a beekeeper living in Bloomington, Indiana. A nature writer whose articles about honeybees and beekeeping have appeared in the New York Times, Plenty Magazine, Wildlife Conservation, and elsewhere, she is also the author of The Insatiable Gardner’s Guide, The Lost Soul Companion, and The Not-So-Lost Soul Companion.