Bookshelf

Three, well written new books that in different ways pay homage to honey bees

THE BUZZ ABOUT BEES: BIOLOGY OF A SUPERORGANISM

Jurgen Tautz 2008 300 pages, 230 colour illustrations £23 (€34) Code T120

This is the most scientific book of the three reviewed here, but this does not make it is any less readable. Jurgen Tautz is a professor of behaviour and physiology in Germany and excellent at communicating science. The book is in essence series of illustrated lectures on different aspects of bees, for example ‘Honey bee sex and virgin brides’ and ‘What bees know about flowers’. The book is lavishly illustrated with perfect photographs by Helga Heilmann, and will surely become a popular source of biological understanding for beekeepers and everyone who wants to understand more of the sophisticated way that a honey bee colony exists.

A WORLD WITHOUT BEES

Alison Benjamin and Brian McCallum

2008 298 pages Hardcover £9.99 (€15) Code B120

The authors achieved publication of this book just at the moment when even the ‘man in the street’ has heard that bees are in crisis. Over 11 Chapters, they succinctly cover all the main issues facing apiculture today. By Chapter 9, they reach what has become the most industrialised aspect of the sector - pollination — a global business worth UK30 bn (€40 bn; US$60 bn). In some countries, bees are subjected by humans to intensive use, shipped in lorries for up to 18,000 km. No wonder they become exhausted, undernourished and, used like honey making machines, become ill-equipped to fight disease. For it is the most industrialised parts of the beekeeping world that have been hit most severely by CCD. This text provides a very well written account of today’s situation.

THE HONEY SPINNER

Grace Pundyk 2008 388 pages See www.murdochbooks.com.au

The story of Grace Pundyk’s journey to many countries in search of honey. She conveys honey’s ubiquity and everywhere she finds it, skillfully depicts the setting and situation of the beekeepers concerned. Interspersed with facts about honey and its trade on the world market, this is a highly enjoyable read for all who have a taste for honey. A beautifully published book with images of bees and beekeeping on the foldout covers.

HONEY BEES - A GUIDE TO MANAGEMENT

NOW AVAILABLE - 2008 REPRINT

Ron Brown 128 pages £9.99 (€15) Code B910

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