Book Description
Believe it or not, bees are one of the oldest species of domesticated animals. Archeologists have found evidence of beekeeping, or apiculture, in the Middle East dating back more than five thousand years. If you’ve ever tasted good clover honey, it’s not hard to understand why. But it’s not just for the honey that more than 125,000 people (and growing) in the United States, alone, keep hives. Anyone interested in nature can’t help but be fascinated by those buzzing yellow bundles of energy and the exotic world they inhabit, with all its weird rituals and incredible efficiency. Also, dedicated gardeners appreciate the extra bounty that pollinating bees bring to their fruits, flowers, and vegetable gardens.

In this easy-to-follow guide, Howland Blackiston, one of the nation’s most respected authorities on the subject, takes the mystery (and the sting) out of beekeeping. Taking a step-by-step approach to successful backyard beekeeping, he gets you up and running with all the information you need to:

• Build a hive
• Establish your first colony
• Inspect your hives with confidence
• Maintain healthy colonies
• Deal with pests and fix common problems
• Harvest and enjoy fresh homemade honey
• Bottle and market your honey

For both fun and profit, beekeeping has become a booming enterprise. A real honey of a book, Beekeeping For Dummies gets you on the road to enjoying this ancient, highly-rewarding, and oh-so-tasty hobby. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (31)

Good basics
This book gives the basics and gives enough information for the reader to be able to start his own backyard colony of bees. It is hard to beat this book for the basics of bee keeping.

Informative & easy to understand!
There is a lot of useful advice and information including tips that every "beginner" should know about beekeeping.Details including pictures; regarding bee diseases, equipment needed and proper procedures were all very helpful.I would recommend this book to anyone who is considering beekeeping as well as for those who are researching the apiary field.

A very easy to read and informative book
This is a very good and easy to read book and I believe you will learn a lot and enjoy reading it!

This book is very good for any beginner or anyone just interested in beekeeping.
After you get started you'll soon realize that there is a lot of information not in this book, so I think you'll naturally go out to seek for more knowledge, I know I did! For getting people interested and well informed this is a fantastic resource! Couple this will a membership in a local bee club and a saving account for more books, videos, and magazine subscription and your well on your way in wonderful world of beekeeping!

Beekeeping for Dummies is awesome!!
I'm new to the world of beekeeping and this book has got to be one of the best resources available.I would definently recommend it for beekeeper of all experience. ... Read more

Book Description
The various chemicals used in beekeeping have, for the past decades, held Varroa Destructor, a mite, and other major pests at bay, but chemical-resistance is building and evolution threatens to overtake the best that laboratory chemists have to offer. In fact, there is evidence that chemical treatments are making the problem worse. Natural Beekeeping flips the script on traditional approaches by proposing a program of selective breeding and natural hive management.

Conrad brings together the best organic and natural approaches to keeping honeybees healthy and productive here in one book. Readers will learn about nontoxic methods of controlling mites, eliminating American foulbrood disease (without the use of antibiotics), breeding strategies, and many other tips and techniques for maintaining healthy hives. Conrad's reservoir of knowledge comes from years of experience and a far-flung community of fellow beekeepers who are all interested in ecologically sustainable apiculture. Specific concepts and detailed management techniques are covered in a matter-of-fact, easy to implement way.

Natural Beekeeping describes opportunities for the seasoned professional to modify existing operations to improve the quality of hive products, increase profits, and eliminate the use of chemical treatments. Beginners will need no other book to guide them. Whether you are an experienced apiculturist looking for ideas to develop an Integrated Pest Management approach or someone who wants to sell honey at a premium price, this is the book you've been waiting for. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Disorganized and simplistic
This book is one of the worst-organized books I've read on the topic of beekeeping.Conrad seems to be unable to put content on like topics together, so unless you sit down and read the entire book in one sitting, you will be hunting all over the place for information (with little help from the minimal index).For example: on page 50 he introduces the idea that an alternative brood nest arrangement is the use of a deep sandwiched by two shallows.Not until page 207 does he explain the benefits of this arrangement, and he never talks about other brood nest configurations, such as three mediums.

This is not unusual: information is scattered throughout the book with little or no regard to how the reader would approach it.In fact, Conrad seems to not be sure who his reader is: half the time he introduces a technical term without explanation, the other half he talks about it as if the reader were a beginning beekeeper.

The book is also filled with tortured language (he uses "mother," "queen mother," and "queen" interchangeably for "queen" in one section as if they meant the same thing) and digressions into his religion that would be less tiresome if there were any new information to be found among them.The information on hive management and honey harvest is very conventional, with extraction of honey from drawn comb and the continual re-use of comb from year to year (even though, by his own report, he ought to have learned his lesson from a lingering problem with AFB caused by this practise).If you were looking for information on more, well, natural forms of beekeeping like horizontal hives or top-bar hives, or beekeeping in conventional hives that comes closer to how feral hives like to operate, look elsewhere.There's a brief section on small-cell, but nothing at all about natural cell.Conrad doesn't seem to have ever even observed a feral hive in preparation for this book.

And if you are looking for a reference on the latest techniques in disease management for naturally managed hives, this is the wrong book.His summaries of the treatments and their benefits and drawbacks is cursory at best, and the information contained there could be found for free on the internet in much greater detail (and more clearly written).In addition, his citations can include such sleepers as a verbal report from somebody in his beekeeping club.

Even the information on operating a certified-organic apiary is pretty useless: the federal standards are explained more clearly on the USDA web site than Conrad seems to be able to do it.He can't seem to decide whether he's writing a long commentary or a manual of practice.

This book failed to provide me with any useful information on organic treatments for bee pests and diseases.Its focus on strictly conventional hive management was disappointing.The disorganized arrangement of information means that even if I wanted to use it as a reference I would spend half my time hunting for topics.A real disappointment.

Organic beekeeping
I have really enjoyed this book.The author isn't just writing about beekeeping, but applies the philosophy of beekeeping to life in general.Very interesting approach.

"NEW" Natural Means to Beekeeping
Excellent coverage on methods for those that want to find a way to back away from chemicals in our hives.

I own a lot of beekeeping books that are read & re-read through winter months & when need some guidance.

Like them all.

But if I could have only two, it would be Natural Beekeeping & the Backyard Beekeeper.

Very refreshing approach to what I like to call Bee Stewardship.

Pricey but pretty good.
I've bought some pretty good beekeeping books for less than $20.My best book, the current edition of Dadant's The Hive and the Honey Bee, cost me $36 and it's around 1300 pages long.At $35 Conrad's book is too expensive.

I don't really have a problem with the content of this book.There is a lot of white space on the pages that seem to be intended to make it a larger than necessary book.

The author did a good job.I like the book.I don't like the price.

Well written and lots to think about
All too often beekeepers are all to quick to treat a perceived problem with a drug or a chemical.Unfortunately this has been a problem in all agriculture for decades.Ross Conrad in his book, Natural Beekeeping, discusses the problems associated with this approach and suggests alternative ways to handle the problem without chemicals or drugs.Much of his writing is about his philosophy of beekeeping and that of organic beekeeping.Don't expect a recipe approach to beekeeping problems or exacting details.They are not there.On the other hand, he gives many very good ideas and approaches one can try or research.He realizes that there is more than one approach or method to keeping bees and that there are regional differences and needs in beekeeping.Therefore, there is no right or wrong way to keep bees as some other books would lead one to think.This book is excellent at giving beekeepers ideas on keeping healthy hives naturally developing a program that will work in one's climate and style of beekeeping management. Mr. Conrad is on target and echoes many of the same principles of chemical free beekeeping I have tried to teach those that I mentor.It was reassuring to hear it from another source.Additionally he gave me many new things to consider. ... Read more

Book Description
For the professional and hobbyist, a detailed review of a full-year cycle of beekeeping, including managing colonies, taking the crop, coping with disease, and selecting equipment. The reader learns how to manage bees and keep them. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

A good book for information but needs to be updated
This is a good book to add to your collection but it is in need of an update!

Pretty good but a few issues
I've read "Beekeeping: A Practical Guide" from cover to cover and I enjoyed
reading it.The author has a kind of subdued humor that I particularly like
and the instructions on how to treat the hive seemed quite complete.In
fact using this book as a guide I installed three hives yesterday morning.

After that experience I realized that there were two things left out that the
author should have included.Perhaps if there's another edition he will
add them.

First, there needs to be an explanation of the consequences of being
stung and not flicking the stinger out.If one does not do this the stinger
will work its way down under the skin and become irretrievable.Then
that whole stinger becomes something the body reacts against.Bonney
accurately stated that for many people bee stings are no big deal and
at the same time asserted that one should immediately flick the stinger
out.All this is quite accurate.What was left out was an explanation
of the consequences though of not more or less immediately getting that
stinger out.

On the third hive I was stung multiple times and lost track of where
all the stings were.At the time the stings hurt a lot for a minute
or two and then faded to insignificance.Now almost twenty-four hours
later I know exactly where each stinger is that I failed to flick out.
And it has dawned on me that this painful reaction is going to persist
for many days.

Second, one step in installing a package of bees is the hanging of the
queen cage between two frames suspended by a metal disk that comes on
the queen cage.I was all prepared for that possibility.(I read and
reread Bonney's step-by-step instructions at least three times.)What
I wasn't prepared for was queen cages with plastic strap and without
a metal disk.Therefore I didn't have the proper tools to attach
the queen cage to a frame.

Now Richard Bonney had no way to anticipate this change of practice.But
what would have helped is an explanation of why it's so important to
suspend the queen at the top.Yesterday morning I didn't know what to
do and left the queen cages on the bottom of each of their respective
hive bodies.Now almost twenty-four hours later, I wake up realizing
that the queens might die because the worker bees aren't going to cluster
around the queen at the bottom of the cage to keep her warm.

It's still a good book.I recommend it.

Good for beginners
I found Richard Bonney's book to be a great read for those who are interested in getting into beekeeping.The language of the book is clear and effective in communicating what a new keeper can expect to deal with in their first season of beekeeping.The book does not get bogged down in onerus details, but provides an effective general overview.

A Wry, Charming Book
This is more than a "how-to," beginner's guide to beekeeping: it is a homage to a remarkable creature.The author's comprehensive knowledge and admiration for the fuzzy little guys is evident on every page.His advice is practical and free of mushy sentiment.A lovely book.

Beekeeping A Practical Guide
Mr. Bonney's Book was an easy read.I read it in 3 evenings.The 'Practical Guide' is just that - a 'Road Map'. I appreciated Mr. Bonney's opinions and lack of wishy-washy caveats.I did not find the short-fallsanother reviewer found.

I appreciate the Tables that present the Data andcapsulize that Data or Information.For example, I finished the Book, wenton line, Yahooed 'Beekeeping', found some vendors and successfully prepareda 'general' or 'ballpark' budget based on recommended hive dimensions,clothing and so on - in less than 30 minutes!

My demeanor is such that Iprefer to make my own decisions and Mr. Bonney clearly stated when he helda view where others differed.This is not a 'my way or the highway' Book. ... Read more

Book Description
Originally published in 1917, this is a wonderful early work on beekeeping and contains much information and many photos. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Home Farm Booksare republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artworkContents Include : Beekeeping As An Occupation - How The Colony Is Organized - The Complete Hive - Accessory Equipment - Establishing The Colony - Spring In the Apiary - Summer In The Apiary - Fall And Winter Preparation - Queen Management - Diseases And Enemies - Honey Plants - Packing Honey For Market ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

a practitionor of the art, with alot of experience.
I have not read this book, but for the uninformed, the Dadent and Sons company, has been selling products-including stock for the hives, and queen bees, for a very long time. I contacted them in the early 70's. their catalog was very informative.

I don't know which dadent he is, but I would not easily doubt whatever is in this book.

Dang good bee book
Great beginning book for those new to the hobby and a grand refresher for those a little more experienced.Fine work.

All you need to know.
From what kind of hives, how to care for the bees, how to select them, gather the honey and winter them - this book has everything you will ever need to know.I happen to have the 8th edition, 1930, and is as detailed as the newer editions.

A "must read" for beginner beekeepers
Not too sexy, but has all the right stuff.This book is a timeless guide to modern-day beekeeping.The pictures are a little dated, and black-white, but the information is sound and professionally written.This book left me feeling well educated and confident.And at this price, it's a deal! ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Catch the buzz on beekeeping

Customer Reviews (1)

Delightfully Smitten with Bee Fever
This author, who writes on behalf of his father and himself, achieved the Guinness World Record for most honey from one hive, so he knows whereof he speaks.However, the great pleasure to be had from reading the book is the gentle and joyful tone of this true beekeeper (ie bee lover), (not unlike Richard Taylor, my other favorite bee writer).If you want an engaging read, with simple yet masterly information, this is a charming beekeeper's companion. ... Read more

Product Description
This beekeeper's memoir follows the life of a young man from Pennsylvania as he drops into the bald prairie badlands of Saskatchewan. He buys a bee ranch, keeps a billion bees and makes a million pounds of honey. And then he quits. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Bad Beekeeping
Instead of "Bad Beekeeping," Ron Miksha's book could have been called "Portait of the Beekeeper as a Young Man," since it is all about his growing up as a commercial beekeeper in the 1970's and 1980's.Working the canola bloom, his summer beekeeping operation in Saskatchewan, and working citrus, his winter beekeeping operation in Florida, Ron had a unique run as a beekeeper that is simply not possible today. Regulations, rules and differing concerns on opposite sides of the U.S./Canadian border made his operation a one-of-a-kind, as well as one-of-an-era.

His story is a roller-coaster ride of great successes matched with spectacular failures.His calcuations and plans meet with the unexpected and that is the fun of his tale.Although no longer a commercial beekeeper; instead now, a geophysicist and entrepreneur, he remains a hobbyist beekeeper in Alberta.As beekeepers, we have not lost one of our own.

Best Book in Ages
Bad Beekeeping is not a bad book at all!It is hilariously funny and packed fun of really neat things everyone would like to know. It's all about bees and beekeeping, but all about lots of other things, too. This is such a great book, I started on Friday evening and read all weekend long. Couldn't put it down.Best book I've read!

Nothing "Bad" about it!
Nothing bad about this book, Ron has given the beekeeping world another cracking good read. There is every thing here, history fun information and entertainment. Also a very good read for those people who do not have the insanity to employ millions of buzzing workers, with potentially very hot tails! An excellent book.

A Honey of a Tale!
The author's account of his career as a beekeeper will appeal to a wide variety of readers. It is a delightful blend of both humorous and sobering personal anecdotes and exhaustively-researched facts about honey. You can't help getting drawn into Ron's life and the diverse personalities he encountered across North America. His engaging writing style makes this book one you'll want all your friends to read. ... Read more

Book Description
This definitive work by world-renowned bee authority Eva Crane offers a fascinating account of bees and their complex relations with both humans and animals. Comprehensive, absorbing, and lavishly illustrated, this scholarly, yet accessible volume explores how bees, honey and other bee products have been gathered and utilized throughout the world.

Beginning with the rock paintings of the Mesolithic cave dwellers, readers will learn about the variety of methods used by human beekeepers, the stratagems used by animal honey-hunters, and the multitude of products humans have derived from bees. The first in-depth book on the subject, the World History of Beekeeping and Honey-Hunting is the ultimate work on bees for scholars in biology and the life sciences, professional and amateur beekeepers, and anyone who is interested in bees or the collection of honey. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great on detail, not an easy night's read.
If you are scientifically-minded and love lots of little details, this is a great book for you.Eva Crane has well-documented her resources, and if you can get through all the details, you find great stories as to the origin and development of beekeeping in different cultures.However, this is not a storybook, or a book you might expect a child to read - it is stock full of info.I personally love this book, and think it is well-worth the high price.However, it is not a book for everyone.

The world history of beekeeping
If you are at all interested in bees or you are a beekeeper this is the book for you!
Eva Crane has just about left no stone unturned in her research for this book and has covered all four corners of the Globe.
The evolution of beekeeping is fascinating and this book cover an increadable time line from early man right up to present time.
The illustrations are plentiful and very well presented throughout the book.
A must for any beekeepers library. ... Read more

Book Description
Beekeeping provides rural people in developing countries with sources of income and nutrition. It is a sustainable form of agriculture, which is
beneficial to the environment and provides economic reasons for the
retention of native habitats and potentially both increased yield from food and forage crops. Complex processing methods are not required and the whole industry can be highly cost effective. The main item required is the dissemination of information in order to develop skills amongst those interested in making a success of "Bee Businesses". There are many men and women keen to improve their apicultural skills. This book is an attempt to provide the information they need. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Practical Beekeeping: A review
I think this is a very good beekeeping book. It has very detailed information on all aspects of beekeeping. there is even a section to help out commercial beekeepers. It is made up of several chapters written by both Enoch H. Tompkins and Roger Griffith. The only thing that I would change about the book is I would elaborate how to start out in beekeeping and how to install package bees. ... Read more

Book Description
The author uses his expertise to present information on equipment, hives, anatomical structure and even the habits of bees. There are nearly ten full-page color photos plus black-and-white drawings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A poor attempt at a beekeeping book
What a title "Beekeeping: A Practical Guide for the Novice Beekeeper Buying Bees, Management, Rearing, Honey Production".Too bad that the title was almost half the length of the book.This book has a very european look and feel to the instructions and hive structures mentioned.I would not recommend this book to anyone interested in beekeeping with the one exception of, if you are writing a book on beekeeping use it as a guide on how not to write one.

Outstanding photography and graphics, good price
This little book is my "giveaway" to people interested in getting started in bees.It's not a complete guide by any means, but gives someone interested a basic overview.It has outstanding photos andgraphics on the beekeeper's year.Has a European slant many may not like,but I found quite interesting.Great price for size and content.

OK, but not sufficient by itself for a beginning beekeeper.
This book has the advantage of a number of full-color photographs, and isinteresting in that it describes how bees are apparently kept in Europe. However, it is quite brief, and a beginning beekeeper would not be able tostart succesfully with only the information in this book. It should beconsidered to be a supplement to other texts. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

The ABC & XYZ of Bee Culture
One of two bee books that is a must have.The Hive and the Honey Bee is the other.

Make a BEE-line for this book..
We are beginning beekeepers and this book has a wealth of information. Sage advice that's easy to find.

"New" ABC-XYZ REALLY 15 Years Old??
Has it REALLY been 15 years since this old and trusted classic "Beekeeper's Bible" has been re-edited and revised??

So much has changed in North American beekeeping since 1990....varroa mites now in all 50 states...tracheal mites, also....coming of African Hybrid Bees into several southern states....fire ants as an issue in many states....hive beetles....explosion of the almond pollination industry and its affect upon the nation-wide beekeeping industry....the incredible changes in the queen-rearing and package bee industry....the multi-million-dollar lawsuits successfully brought by the American Honey Producers' Association against cheap honey imported into our domestic market at prices below the cost of production and now the re-emergence of imports of cheap honey into our domestic market.... numerous changes in uses of manufactured chemicals, herbal essences and other treatments in beehives....small-cell brood foundation use.... too many changes since 1990 to mention them all!! When is an up-dated edition coming??

I have relied on this book and "The Hive and the Honey Bee" for 36 years. Now want to get a new, revised edition of the ABC-XYZ. Can't believe most recent edition is 1990.......

The only book you need
This book is filled with more info than you will ever need. Anything you need to know about beekeeping is in there. It's wonderful to have such a detailed guide to keep my bees healthy and happy. Thanks, Gary

An absolute must for any beekeeper, professional or hobbyist
The 40th edition of this classic in its field leaves nothing to chance. Everything a beekeeper needs to know about obtaining and keeping bee hives is contained therein. Updated by expert Roger Morse, the book contains, inencyclopdia form complete information on the honeybee, including undatedinformation on the "africanized bee" (aka the infamous"killer bees") and the threat they pose to the hobbyistbeekeeper. Excellent data is included on the various diseases and parasiteswhich also threaten the beekeeping industry. If you keep bees or want tokeep bees or simply want to know more about this unappreciated, but vitalaid to our modern agriculture, you need this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (10)

A real beekeeper's time machine
I've been keeping bees now for a year and thought it would be neat to read this classic text without spending hundreds of dollars for an original copy on ebay.Rev. Langstroth's writing style is really beautiful and definately gives the reader a visual in your mind.It's so interesting to see how science and religion were so closly mixed during this time period.I love how he affirms creation through the science of bees.Very cool book but because of the older style ornate writing it can be difficult to read at times.

Great basic Beekeeping.. olde school
Beekeeping the way it was.. before all the chemicals and big business.. when most everyone had a hive or 2 as the only sweetener you could afford.

Informative, but curiously flawed
I'm editing this to add that the publisher, Dover Publications rapidly responded to my query in regard to the manufacturing error explained below, and sent me a replacement copy. If I were able, I would increase my rating to 4 stars. It misses getting five because, while it contains muchinformation that is both valuable and valid today, substantial portions of the text are devoted to convincing the skeptics of the 1850's.

To canvass the beekeeping territory, I picked up a few titles on bees, including Langstroth's Hive and the Honeybee, which appealed to both my desire to raise bees and my interest in American History.

I was quite surprised then to find that at page 160, Langstroth's exposition on artificial swarming ends in mid-sentence. The next 30 pages are devoted to the heros of Celtic mythology. Though I am of Scots and Irish descent, I knew next to nothing, of Celtic mythology beyond that cribbed by T.H. white. Thanks to a production error at Dover, I can now sustain 15 to 20 minutes of cocktail party banter about the Welsh name, Caledvwlch, of Arthur's sword, Escalibur, (from, mind you, the Latin Caliburnis) and the parallels with, if not blatant plagairism by, Malory, of the Cuchulainn stories, as the foundation stones of Arthurian legend were set in place.

Aside from this flaw however, Langstroth remains a powerful primer on the beekeeping art. One well worth reading in an age where organic methods hold promise in the effort to combat Chronic Collapse Disorder.

When Reverend Langstroth developed his methods of hive management, organic beekeeping was the only kind that existed. His discussions of the means and methods for combating the parasites and diseases that afflicted bees 150 years ago are as applicable today when it appears that commercial bee operations must radically change or perish, as they were before and after the civil war when chemical means for bee management simply did not exist.

Quaint in language, Langstroth nevertheless delivers, and while I purchase my hive equipment from a modern manufacturer, I am confident that armed with only Langstroth and the tools my great grandfather left me, I could build an equally good, and substantially similar hive.

As modern petroleum based agriculture begins to sway and collapse under the weight of genetically modified organisms, hydrocarbon based fertilizers and pesticides, leached out soil, antibiotic resistant strains of disease, subsurface compaction, and the erosion of topsoil, it is delightful to discover that the knowledge of largely preindustrial agrarians has been preserved. Their methods remain reasonably achievable today and demonstrate a possible pathway back to small scale, sustainable production methods largely free of the industrial accoutrement under which farmers stumble to remain profitable today.

very hard to understand unless you're one hundred years old
I don't recommend this book except for it's historical value, it is hard to understand unless you're familiar with the way people talked 150 years ago.

Indispenable beekeeping primer
After reading this book, I can fully appreciate why Rev. L. L. Langstroth was dubbed "the father of modern beekeeping". As a novice beekeeper, I am always on the look out for "how to" books on beekeeping. I wish that I had read this book BEFORE I setup my first hive; I would have been able to get my bees through their first year with a lot less stress on them and me. The book explains the reasons behind the bees behavior - this is invaluable information, for just like training a dog or a horse, if you can understand what is motivating their actions you can better shape the results to your needs and desires. I highly recommend this book to both novice and experienced beekeepers - get the book, read it, and practice its principles - you will be glad you did!!
... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (2)

If you're new to bees read this book
I'm not usually one to write book reviews but when I see such a negative review as Nicola Davies'go unchallenged well I just have to come to Clive de Bruin's defence. His book is by far the most concise and readable book on the subject of beekeeping that I've read to date. In hindsight, I might not agree with everything that he has to say but I think its a very good book for beginners. I would totally disagree with Nicola's criticism regarding de Bruin's use of technical terms without explanation. I found quite the opposite to be the case - the author takes great care not to assume any prior knowledge on behalf of the reader. I found this a very useful reference book for dipping into having first read it through from start to finish.

He knows the stuff, but he can't write to save his life.
The author has a lifetime's experience in managing bees in Britain and abroad. But as an introduction to beekeeping this book fails miserably. He constantly uses technical terms without explanation and doesn't present theinformation in any sort of sensible order. My advice is only read this bookin the presence of an experienced beekeeper. ... Read more

Product Description
This up-to-date electronic book on CD-ROM has comprehensive coverage of USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) research, publications and reports on every aspect of bees and honeybees, beekeeping, apiaries, Africanized honey bees (known as "killer" bees), and colony collapse disorder. It includes extensive material on CCD and known diseases such as foulbrood; chalkbrood; nosema disease; parasitic mites, tracheal mite, varroa destructor, and more. There is material from the Carl Hayden Bee Research Center in Tucson, Arizona, the Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics, and Physiology Laboratory in Louisiana, and the Bee Research Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland. There is material on the role of bees in the pollination of agricultural crops and the production of honey and beeswax, morphometrics, scanning electron microscope atlas, natural history of the queen, workers, and drone, and genome research. This extraordinary, encyclopedic collection contains more than 19,000 pages reproduced in Adobe Acrobat PDF files.Colony Collapse Disorder threatens not only pollination and honey production but, much more, this crisis threatens to wipe out production of crops dependent on bees for pollination. Pollination is responsible for $15 billion in added crop value, particularly for specialty crops such as almonds and other nuts, berries, fruits, and vegetables. If research cannot solve CCD, beekeepers will be unable to meet demand for almonds and other crops. CCD symptoms include the rapid loss of a bee colony's population with very few bees found near colonies, the laying queen present with few remaining attendant bees, and honey and pollen not consumed by invaders. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Look elsewhere for beekeeping information
Said to be "Comprehensive coverage", "Reports, Publications, Projects".
Said to "by U.S. Government." This CD is not produced by the US Gov't. Instead, a company named Progressive Management" copied thousands of USDA web pages straight off Internet as PDF pages, that also included everything not related to bees. There is little of any value to a beekeeper here in this unorganized mess. You have to search huge PDF files. Search the Internet instead; you will find more of what you are looking for. Save your money for a real bee book.

Save your hard-earned cash!
The claim is that there are over 19,000 PDF pages of valuable information, but in fact, approximately 18,995 of those pages are pure trash, indexes, links to articles on the internet, etc. I found PERHAPS two usable articles on this CD. The rest of it was a complete waste of my time and money! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An infomative narrative on the art of beekeeping
The author calls his book a "rejoicing" and his affection and respect for honeybees is readily evident in his lively, interesting and perceptive writing.Indeed, he lets us know that beekeeping is an art andthe results of our working with and observing bees may result in far morethan the delicious comb honey which the author favors.Richard Taylor,besides a beekeeper and author in this field, is, additionally, ateacher--a professor of philosophy.I, like many others I suspect, enjoybeing one of his students and dancing with him and his bees in thiswonderful ballroom called life. ... Read more

Book Description
Honey Bee Biology and Beekeeping explains bee biology, what bees do, and provides the tools which make it possible for an individual to successfully manage bee colonies. The author has concentrated on the "why" aspects of bee biology so that the reader understands "when" and "how" certain things must be done to colonies. Bees and beekeeping are explained in a manner meaningful to a person who lacks an extensive background or knowledge of biology. Yet the author has not oversimplified bee biology to the point where it is meaningless to the serious beekeeper or informed biologist. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A definite must read. Two thumbs up!
This is one of the best books on the subject of bees and beekeeping that I have found. It's coverage of honey bee history, biology and management has made it part of my short collection. Thanks

Honey Bee Biology and Beekeeping
This excellent book mirrors the teachings of the author, that one must understand the biology of the honey bee in order to comprehend its behavior. This book not only encompasses facts but also provides topics forfurther discussion, thus leading to further inquiry into the fascinatingworld of honey bees. ... Read more