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Honey Bees: Letters from the Hive
In Honey Bees: Letters From the Hive , bee expert Stephen Buchmann takes readers on an incredible tour. Enter a beehive--one part nursery, one part honey factory, one part queen bee sanctum--then fly through backyard gardens, open fields, and deserts where wildflowers bloom. It's fascinating--and delicious!
Hailed for their hard work and harmonious society, bees make possible life on earth as we know it. This fundamental link between bees and humans reaches beyond biology to our environment and our culture: bees have long played important roles in art, religion, literature, and medicine--and, of course, in the kitchen.
For honey fanatics and all who have a sweet tooth, this book not only entertains and enlightens but also reminds us of the fragility of humanity's relationship with nature. Includes illustrations and photographs throughout.
Hailed for their hard work and harmonious society, bees make possible life on earth as we know it. This fundamental link between bees and humans reaches beyond biology to our environment and our culture: bees have long played important roles in art, religion, literature, and medicine--and, of course, in the kitchen.
For honey fanatics and all who have a sweet tooth, this book not only entertains and enlightens but also reminds us of the fragility of humanity's relationship with nature. Includes illustrations and photographs throughout.
- GenresNonfictionScience
228 pages, Paperback
First published June 3, 2010
23 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Buchmann
15 books32 followersStephen Buchmann is an Adjunct Professor of Entomology and Ecology/Evolutionary Biology at the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ. Stephen has published nearly 200 scientific articles and 11 books. His newest book is "What a Bee Knows" from Island Press (DC). He is a pollination ecologist known for his studies of buzz pollination, oil-producing flowers, and the conservation biology of native bees and their flowers. His books include "The Forgotten Pollinators" with Gary Paul Nabhan, "The Reason for Flowers," and his children's book: "The Bee Tree" (Lee & Low Books, NY). Buchmann also enjoys landscape and macrophotography along with creating small fine art bronzes. He's a frequent guest on NPR radio programs including All Things Considered and Science Friday. His literary awards include the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award, and the NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students K-12.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 30, 2010
this book is sorta boring!
May 19, 2015
fun little read aloud book with my teenage daughter who still loves bugs and my husband while we were driving down the road. passed time and miles.
November 7, 2013
The first two chapters on bees are fascinating. How cool you be, bees. (Only one, I promise.) The following chapters vary--some are interesting, some were difficult not to skim. Honey hunting and how bee keeping evolved over time were good. I'd love more like that.
The paragraphs describing different honey tastes (with opinions by the author), imagined royal meals including honey, and medicinal uses of honey didn't work for me. The medical stuff focused too much of what people in the past used it for and less on current trends. Reminded me of a homespun website. That said, the part on using it to keep wounds sterile was interesting.
The use of appendixes was odd. Not sure why much of that information wasn't included earlier.
The book suffers from a lack of photos. I wish I'd read it near a computer. Where are the different types of bees?
When it's interesting, it's very interesting. Really. Aces. Just know sometimes you go deep into on author opinions, Latin names, and paragraph-long annotated lists.
The paragraphs describing different honey tastes (with opinions by the author), imagined royal meals including honey, and medicinal uses of honey didn't work for me. The medical stuff focused too much of what people in the past used it for and less on current trends. Reminded me of a homespun website. That said, the part on using it to keep wounds sterile was interesting.
The use of appendixes was odd. Not sure why much of that information wasn't included earlier.
The book suffers from a lack of photos. I wish I'd read it near a computer. Where are the different types of bees?
When it's interesting, it's very interesting. Really. Aces. Just know sometimes you go deep into on author opinions, Latin names, and paragraph-long annotated lists.
August 31, 2018
This book is a perfect introduction for someone who is interested in the subject of bees and beekeeping but has absolutely no background knowledge whatsoever. Stephen Buchmann offers a brief and simple introduction to the honey bee and honey, combining explanations of many scientific studies and observations which are combined with anecdotes and personal stories, making for an interesting and informative read.
As well as being a perfect introduction to an unfamiliar subject the book is also enjoyable and is arranged in a manner that also makes it useful for finding quick references.
As well as being a perfect introduction to an unfamiliar subject the book is also enjoyable and is arranged in a manner that also makes it useful for finding quick references.
August 3, 2019
This was an interesting book. One of those that makes you think wow I never knew that. Lots of history and reference material. Would be great for a resource book for a project.
April 20, 2020
3.5 stars. There was a lot of neat and useful information in this book, but it was pretty repetitive the longer it went.
August 26, 2020
The Malaysian honey hunt story was really interesting.
December 31, 2021
Good baseline for info on bees. Will probably reference this in my thesis. Has a lot of references at the end I could use as well.
December 4, 2023
Quick read, pretty basic info but bees are so cool! Would be good for younger population.
April 10, 2015
Written for young adults, “Honey Bees” will also benefit older adults who want to learn more about bees, honey, and beekeeping without being overwhelmed with technical jargon and extraneous detail. Any-age adults can appreciate Buchmann’s earthy, hand-on approach to storytelling, and add to their bee-related vocabulary as well. How bees make honey and beeswax from nectar, how they gather and use pollen, why most bees that we see are female, how each hive produces just one queen at a time; all these and more bee-haviors (my word, not his) are demystified. The author is a historian, so a significant portion of the book covers beekeeping and the gathering and use of honey throughout the world from ancient Sumerian, Egyptian, and Chinese through modern times.
Honey was popular in ancient times, and the author discusses its sources and the types of goods traded for along various routes. Today, despite a temporary dip when cheap sugarcane became available, honey is even more popular. A guide to modern types of honey is included, from common varieties like orange blossom, lavender, and mesquite, through oddities like blueberry and basswood. Exotics like jarrah, from the tallest tree in Australia, Tasmanian leatherwood, and New Zealand’s kamahi and manuka honeys are intriguing possibilities for the taste-tests that the author recommends.
Of particular interest is the description of a traditional Malaysian rainforest honey hunt, which the author has been privileged to attend several times. Fifteen foot long hives covered with five layers of Asia’s largest bees, so confident of defending their hive that they’ve built it completely exposed on a tree limb far above the ground, obviously require some finesse to harvest. Pak Teh, by annual petition of the sultan, has done so since 1965. The account of his ritual, executed in complete darkness except for his handmade, carefully-wrapped liana torches, is fascinating.
Also included are uses of honey and other bee products in medicine and in beauty treatment. The author nicely differentiates between treatments that have been scientifically proven and expensive remedies that do not work. He calls for more research in areas where results are promising but unproven. This is a good model to help young adults become self-sufficient, urging them to question beyond the product claims that they see in advertising.
This book is a great read for anyone who wants to learn more about bees, beekeeping, or honey and its history. Readers who are lucky enough to see an apiary first-hand will enjoy this book before or after their visit. The only thing that is missing is a recipe for the much-mentioned honey cake, indeed the recipes given are too simple for most young adults. But after all, we’re not reading a bee book for the recipes.
Honey was popular in ancient times, and the author discusses its sources and the types of goods traded for along various routes. Today, despite a temporary dip when cheap sugarcane became available, honey is even more popular. A guide to modern types of honey is included, from common varieties like orange blossom, lavender, and mesquite, through oddities like blueberry and basswood. Exotics like jarrah, from the tallest tree in Australia, Tasmanian leatherwood, and New Zealand’s kamahi and manuka honeys are intriguing possibilities for the taste-tests that the author recommends.
Of particular interest is the description of a traditional Malaysian rainforest honey hunt, which the author has been privileged to attend several times. Fifteen foot long hives covered with five layers of Asia’s largest bees, so confident of defending their hive that they’ve built it completely exposed on a tree limb far above the ground, obviously require some finesse to harvest. Pak Teh, by annual petition of the sultan, has done so since 1965. The account of his ritual, executed in complete darkness except for his handmade, carefully-wrapped liana torches, is fascinating.
Also included are uses of honey and other bee products in medicine and in beauty treatment. The author nicely differentiates between treatments that have been scientifically proven and expensive remedies that do not work. He calls for more research in areas where results are promising but unproven. This is a good model to help young adults become self-sufficient, urging them to question beyond the product claims that they see in advertising.
This book is a great read for anyone who wants to learn more about bees, beekeeping, or honey and its history. Readers who are lucky enough to see an apiary first-hand will enjoy this book before or after their visit. The only thing that is missing is a recipe for the much-mentioned honey cake, indeed the recipes given are too simple for most young adults. But after all, we’re not reading a bee book for the recipes.
August 25, 2010
Far more than "bee vomit," honey secured its place in human history very early on. From prehistoric cave paintings depicting honey-gathering straight through modern beekeeping, Honey Bees provides a brief history of the sticky sweet. Buchmann discusses life inside a hive, the origins of beekeeping and the development of the typical man-made hive, and the wide variety of health benefits of honey, from its healthy sweetness in cooking to its antiseptic properties. Appendices provide further information, resources for those interested in beekeeping and/or purchasing geographically-specific honey varieties, and a chapter-by-chapter list of his sources.
The information contained in this slim volume is interesting and the writing is lively, but where the book fails is in its organization. (A full chapter is devoted to descriptions of honeys from around the world, while descriptions of different types of bees, both honey-producing and otherwise, is relegated to an appendix.) One long chapter reads like a travel essay on an author's eco-tourist trip to watch a ritual Malaysian honey hunt, which, while interesting, does not fit the informative tone of the rest of the book. Colony Collapse Disorder, the #1 Bee Issue of the last 10 years, gets only a half-page mention in the Afterword, with no discussion of its potential environmental impact. I have no reason to doubt the veracity of the book's information as a whole, but glossing over CCD makes me wonder what else might be left out.
A good book for upper-elementary and middle-school readers interested in bugs, bees, or honey.
(Admittedly I picked it up because I have Concerns that CCD is going to be what leads to the eventual collapse of civilization. I'm relieved to learn--in this book!--that bees are responsible for pollinating only 35% of our food supply, but horrifyingly that 35% is pretty much all fruits and vegetables. Without bees, we're hosed, and the bees are disappearing. Food is already increasing in cost; a decrease in supply will lead to malnutrition and starvation, which will in turn lead--long-term, I mean--to the eventual "Colony Collapse" of humans. )
The information contained in this slim volume is interesting and the writing is lively, but where the book fails is in its organization. (A full chapter is devoted to descriptions of honeys from around the world, while descriptions of different types of bees, both honey-producing and otherwise, is relegated to an appendix.) One long chapter reads like a travel essay on an author's eco-tourist trip to watch a ritual Malaysian honey hunt, which, while interesting, does not fit the informative tone of the rest of the book. Colony Collapse Disorder, the #1 Bee Issue of the last 10 years, gets only a half-page mention in the Afterword, with no discussion of its potential environmental impact. I have no reason to doubt the veracity of the book's information as a whole, but glossing over CCD makes me wonder what else might be left out.
A good book for upper-elementary and middle-school readers interested in bugs, bees, or honey.
(Admittedly I picked it up because I have Concerns that CCD is going to be what leads to the eventual collapse of civilization. I'm relieved to learn--in this book!--that bees are responsible for pollinating only 35% of our food supply, but horrifyingly that 35% is pretty much all fruits and vegetables. Without bees, we're hosed, and the bees are disappearing. Food is already increasing in cost; a decrease in supply will lead to malnutrition and starvation, which will in turn lead--long-term, I mean--to the eventual "Colony Collapse" of humans. )
September 19, 2016
This book was alright. It was a little boring at times though. It was very interesting to learn more about bees. This book was very educational. I like that it taught many things about the process of how honey is made. It really showed me how much bees go through to make the honey and survive. It makes me really appreciate them. I thought it was really cool to learn about how honey was used way back in time and how far back bees actually go. It showed how they use to move them and what they use to keep them in and its actually not that different than the ones we use today. It shows many different types of honey and the flowers it comes from. The author also tells what some of his favorite honeys are. Towards the end they went on a honey hunt in Malasia and that was awesome. I think the author really explained everything nicely. At the beginning is really the only time it was boring to me because it was just talking about bees and it didn’t catch my attention too much. It was pretty nice to learn about beekeeping though. Bees actually take a lot of time and dedication. Before this book i just thought they were really easy to maintain and stuff. From this book i also figured out that bees play a really important role in our lives. I drink honey and add it to a bunch of stuff i consume such as tea, cinnamon water and other stuff. Bees are actually really nice too. They don't really sting that often unless you make them feel like they are going to die or something. It was really cool to me that the bees would get use to the person who usually takes care of them and if they died and someone else would try to take care of them the bees wouldn't feel good and they might sting the person. Overall it was a very good book but i didn't really like the beginning too much.
November 16, 2013
After visiting a student's father's honey bee hives, I have become interested in honey and bees. I remembered this book from last year and grabbed it. Honey Bees: Letters from the Hive by Stephen Buchman was a fun read.
Although the book is non-fiction, Buchman has written it in first person. As I read, it felt almost like I was visiting with someone who knew a lot about bees. He covers everything from the bees themselves and how they live and communicate to bee history, honey collection, and recipes. I had no idea that honey has been collected for hundreds of years! The Mayans prized honey and depicted it in drawings. There are woodcut engraving of bee keepers from the 1500s. Even the Egyptians depicted bees and bee keeping in tomb hieroglyphs. Honey might be my new obsession.
Learning about the different types of honey was also interesting. I assumed that honey was honey. NOT TRUE! Some honeys are a conglomeration of nectars from different varieties of flowers. However, varietals are single-source honeys. There is such a thing a rosemary honey, or orange blossom honey, or mesquite honey! I thought honey was honey. It certainly is not all the same, and the prices show that! The great thing about this book is that it gives many sources for buying different types of honey.
This book was interesting to me because I love honey, flowers, and the outdoors. But I really think it would also interest, cooks, science lovers, gardeners, those interested in healing foods, and anyone else who loves honey.
Although the book is non-fiction, Buchman has written it in first person. As I read, it felt almost like I was visiting with someone who knew a lot about bees. He covers everything from the bees themselves and how they live and communicate to bee history, honey collection, and recipes. I had no idea that honey has been collected for hundreds of years! The Mayans prized honey and depicted it in drawings. There are woodcut engraving of bee keepers from the 1500s. Even the Egyptians depicted bees and bee keeping in tomb hieroglyphs. Honey might be my new obsession.
Learning about the different types of honey was also interesting. I assumed that honey was honey. NOT TRUE! Some honeys are a conglomeration of nectars from different varieties of flowers. However, varietals are single-source honeys. There is such a thing a rosemary honey, or orange blossom honey, or mesquite honey! I thought honey was honey. It certainly is not all the same, and the prices show that! The great thing about this book is that it gives many sources for buying different types of honey.
This book was interesting to me because I love honey, flowers, and the outdoors. But I really think it would also interest, cooks, science lovers, gardeners, those interested in healing foods, and anyone else who loves honey.
November 22, 2010
A fascinating look at the story of bees, the many extraordinary & unexpected ways they've enriched our lives from prehistoric times to today, & their importance in keeping the food chain thriving. It's a good book for honey lovers young & old, as well as a great choice for middle & high school book reports or for use as a resource for science projects.
Readers will be taken into the hive—one part nursery, one part honey factory, one part queen's inner sanctum—then fly through backyard gardens, open fields, & deserts where wildflowers bloom. For honey fanatics & all who have a sweet tooth, this book not only entertains & enlightens but also reminds us of the fragility of humanity's relationship with nature. (Goodreads summary)
Honey Bees: Letters From the Hive by Stephen Buchmann with Banning Repplier is a very detailed look at bees and honey, focusing on honeybees but also looking at other honey makers & bees. There are numerous facts in this book with just the first three chapters focusing on honeybees. More information or discussion on Colony Collapse Disorder and its potential environmental impact would have been helpful. I learned a number of things from this book, despite have been involved in honey production for nearly a decade.
The mountain of information may be daunting to some middle grade readers. This would be very helpful for reports, with a good index included. For middle grade & high school readers, & those who are fascinated by honey & bees.
Readers will be taken into the hive—one part nursery, one part honey factory, one part queen's inner sanctum—then fly through backyard gardens, open fields, & deserts where wildflowers bloom. For honey fanatics & all who have a sweet tooth, this book not only entertains & enlightens but also reminds us of the fragility of humanity's relationship with nature. (Goodreads summary)
Honey Bees: Letters From the Hive by Stephen Buchmann with Banning Repplier is a very detailed look at bees and honey, focusing on honeybees but also looking at other honey makers & bees. There are numerous facts in this book with just the first three chapters focusing on honeybees. More information or discussion on Colony Collapse Disorder and its potential environmental impact would have been helpful. I learned a number of things from this book, despite have been involved in honey production for nearly a decade.
The mountain of information may be daunting to some middle grade readers. This would be very helpful for reports, with a good index included. For middle grade & high school readers, & those who are fascinated by honey & bees.
December 20, 2012
This would be a great book for someone related to a bee keeper but who hasn't really bought into the whole "bee" thing yet. It has historical and cultural info surrounding bees and honey. The writing is good, if a little nerdy - but I'm a bee nerd, so I liked it. This is NOT a bee keeping book so don't expect instructions on how to do that - although, the author is a bee keeper. The one drawback for me is that there are almost no graphics and, for some reason, I expected them in a book like this. Why? I dont' know...because it's not a novel? Anyway, its a worthwhile read for bee lovers or would be bee lovers.
March 16, 2016
This book is helpful, informative and easy to follow. It’s also a fascinating tale of mankind’s relationship with one of the most industrious creatures with whom we share this planet. We rely on bees to provide us with the majority of the food we eat—and I’m not just talking about honey.
This book is a loving tribute to these industrious insects. Filled with history, descriptions of different kinds of bees, types of honey, help about forming a home for bees, how to use honey in medicine and recipes, et al, Honey Bees: Letters from the Hive is a terrific introduction to the world of these busy, busy insects.
This book is a loving tribute to these industrious insects. Filled with history, descriptions of different kinds of bees, types of honey, help about forming a home for bees, how to use honey in medicine and recipes, et al, Honey Bees: Letters from the Hive is a terrific introduction to the world of these busy, busy insects.
May 19, 2013
In this beautiful book, Buchmann uses his entomological knowledge to bring a trove of information about bees to the lay reader. His perspective in worldwide as he talks about history and culture, varieties of bees and honey, hives, beekeeping, current crises in bee populations, mead, consumption, recipes, and medical uses. The book has an excellent set of appendices including a glossary, location of bee families and genera, products, chemical composition of honey, and resources. It is all very well documented.
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February 28, 2015I liked this book because it explains how the bee keepers and about what happens in the bee hive during the different seasons. The twin book that I chose was The Honeybee Man by Lela Nargi because the book goes through what the Honeybee man each day, taking care of his bees. Reading this novel followed by The Honeybee Man would be a nonfiction to fiction connection with much information on honey bees and beekeepers.
April 8, 2017
This was a great read about the world of bees and its keepers. Lot of good information and entertaining. I recommend this to anyone a little curious about beekeeping.
This was the young adult version of Letters from the Hive: An Intimate History of Bees, Honey, and Humankind.
This was the young adult version of Letters from the Hive: An Intimate History of Bees, Honey, and Humankind.
June 22, 2012
I think this book is useful for anyone who likes to garden and needs direction for choosing plantings. It was also entertaining. There are valuable resources for teachers like this website: http://www.pollinator.org/index.html
March 22, 2014
It's amazingly informational and explanatory. I loved it. I could almost taste he honey that he described and I was there watching the honey hunters in Malaysia. I found the book looking for things about bees and I found it!
June 22, 2010
Fascinating...
April 22, 2011
This is the "kids version" of his book for adults - really awesome! A fascinating look at the world of bees and bee-keeping.
May 5, 2011
I found this book interesting in parts. the history of honey, types of honey and bees were good. But it doesn't engage the reader.
February 19, 2014
Interesting book. I liked that the myths versus the confirmed modern scientific studies versus the authors personal opinions were defined. It's neat read that makes me want to keep a hive!
April 27, 2014
Solid non-fiction / science trade book; specialized vocabulary, bee history, and medicinal properties of honey are just a few of the many topics detailed in this unique book.
August 12, 2014
OK great now I want to raise bees.
June 6, 2018
Well, it's a cute cover.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews