Bees for Development Journal 137 December 2020
BOOKSHELF Bees and their keepers Lotte Moller 2020 224 pages Hardcover This is a beautiful book, full of charming illustrations and packed with interesting anecdotes interspersed around bee culture and history. Lotte is a Swedish author who writes in a completely engaging way. The first part of the book loosely follows a calendar year with the author giving interesting accounts along the way. For example, March features a triggerhappy Californian beekeeper raging against honey imports, while October focusses on Brother Adam where Lotte recounts her meetings with him, and sadness that in his last few years he was forbidden by his Abbot from working to find a Varroa-resistant bee. The second part of the book addresses contemporary issues, for example bee wars underway on Danish island Læsø, and natural beekeeping. It all adds up to a charming, fun and informative read about many interesting corners of the bee world.
Biodynamic beekeeping – a sustainable way to keep happy, healthy bees Matthias Thun (translated from German by David Heaf) 2020 192 pages Softcover Matthias Thun’s life-work was published in German in 2015, sharing his 50+ years of research and experience of looking after bees according to biodynamic principles, seeking to ensure healthy and contented bees. It was with sadness that we learned of the sudden passing of Matthias Thun in June 2020, just as the English edition was nearing publication. David Heaf has prepared this excellent and clear translation, enabling an English-reading audience to access for the first time this biodynamic approach, and translating into modern beekeeping practice Rudolf Steiner’s indications on the essential nature of the honey bee. The book introduces concepts that will be new to many readers, and, for example, challenges current conventional approaches of swarm control: Matthias explains how, if swarming is continuously prevented, a honey bee colony will lack harmony and become prone to disease. The book describes methods for colony regeneration, propagation and queen breeding, and discusses comb, honey, feeding bees, controlling diseases, use of ash, plants for bees and their conservation. Plenty of interesting ideas for the thinking beekeeper!
Pollinators & Pollination – nature and society Jeff Ollerton 2020 297 pages Softcover This is a highly readable text on pollination ecology, very useful for students and anyone who needs to get up to speed on this topic and its surrounding issues. The author explains the importance of pollinators and pollination, introducing their diversity, evolution strategies and much else. Agricultural and urban environments are discussed, along with recent happenings, and the politics and organisations involved with this topic. Written in a personal and engaging style and with many clear diagrams and illustrations – this excellent text provides much useful insight.
Special offer for BfD Journal readers Quote the discount code: BEESDEVELOPMENT30 to save 30% when ordering this book at www.pelagicpublishing.com
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