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The Bee: A Natural History

Noah Wilson-Rich (Contributor),

Kelly Allin (Contributor),

Norman Carreck (Contributor),

Andrea Quigley (Goodreads Author) (Contributor)

4.21 · Rating details · 145 ratings · 18 reviews

Bees pollinate more than 130 fruit, vegetable, and seed crops that we rely on to survive. Bees are crucial to the reproduction and diversity of flowering plants, and the economic contributions of these irreplaceable insects measure in the tens of billions of dollars each year. Yet bees are dying at an alarming rate, threatening food supplies and ecosystems around the world ...more

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Hardcover, 224 pages

Published August 24th 2014 by Princeton University Press (first published August 1st 2014)

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Average rating 4.21 ·

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· 145 ratings · 18 reviews

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Apr 16, 2017 Hildegunn rated it really liked it

A very well written and thorough book about bees, richly illustrated. Contrary to most other books, this one includes information about all the different types of bees, from wild bees to domesticated bees, bumble bees and stingless bees, social bees and solitary bees. A lot is covered, but without drilling too deep into each topic, making it very much a popular science book available to anyone. The book is chock full of information and probably the most complete bee book I have come across to da ...more

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Sep 05, 2014 Dorothy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: nature

The argument could be and has been made that bees are essential to life on Earth as we know it. They are most certainly crucial to the reproduction and diversity of flowering plants.

The creatures are known to pollinate more than 130 fruit, vegetable, and seed crops that we rely on to survive and those plants make economic contributions in the tens of billions of dollars every year. Therefore, it is very important on many levels that we have a healthy population of bees.

But bees are in trouble. The argument could be and has been made that bees are essential to life on Earth as we know it. They are most certainly crucial to the reproduction and diversity of flowering plants.

The creatures are known to pollinate more than 130 fruit, vegetable, and seed crops that we rely on to survive and those plants make economic contributions in the tens of billions of dollars every year. Therefore, it is very important on many levels that we have a healthy population of bees.

But bees are in trouble. They are dying off at an alarming rate, and although in some cases the cause of the die-off has not been absolutely pinned down, scientists are pretty much in agreement that pesticides and the practices of modern agriculture are the main culprits.

In The Bee: A Natural History, Noah Wilson-Rich explores some of the challenges faced by bees and how we can ameliorate them in order to aid the bees. This book primarily focuses on honeybees, but it also has sections on solitary bees, bumblebees, and stingless bees, which takes in the various kinds of native bees that exist in this country.

Earth is, in fact, the home to more than 20,000 bee species of an astounding diversity, but all have some essentials in common. Wilson-Rich discusses their evolution and development, their anatomy and biology, and their society and behavior.

An entire chapter is given over to the discussion of bees and humans. A second chapter explores beekeeping from the basics to hive design and harvesting the honey, and it includes information about problems which might occur and pests which can invade the hives.

This book is written in an engaging and easily accessible style and it is illustrated throughout with pictures and drawings which enliven the text. For the person interested in beekeeping, it gives the basics of organic and integrated pest management techniques. Overall, it gives its readers insights into a holistic approach to bee health and to ensuring that a vibrant population of the little creatures is able to survive on the planet. It is a very practical handbook for anyone looking for ways to help the bees.

(A copy of this book was provided to me without charge by the publisher in return for an honest review. No other remuneration was provided. The opinions expressed here are my own.)
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Jan 01, 2015 Meghan Fidler rated it it was amazing

Shelves: future-farmhouse

Beautifully illustrated and intrepid in his use of detailed scientific discourse on genetics, aerodynamics, and biology, Noah Wilson-Rich's "The Bee" was an afternoon well spent. Bees have such a fascinating little buzz about them! ...more

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Oct 29, 2018 Fox rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: history, i-like-animals, library, non-fiction, science, 2018

The Bee: A Natural History is certainly one of the most thorough overviews of the insect that I have yet laid my hands upon. The book covers all aspects of the bees - from their natural history to their importance to humans over the years, to beekeeping, and finally to the future of the species. The sections on bee husbandry were especially interesting, and included helpful items such as charts on bee care - both chemical and organic.

Did you know that a certain level of Varroa mites is expecte ...more

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Jun 05, 2018 Sue rated it it was amazing

Everything I could desire in a book: good topic, lots of pictures, good size.

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Apr 06, 2016 Ted rated it it was amazing

My interest in bees came through my photography of flowers. The variety of bees, their shapes, colors and sizes fascinated me. I find this book fascinating with information about bees, their role in human history, their importance for food production, and their many and varied habits. Bees have suffered recently, perhaps largely due to humanity's effects on the environment. Because our lives are so intertwined, it makes sense for us to help the bees as best we can. ...more

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Jun 24, 2016 Rose rated it really liked it

Shelves: library-book, science

An excellent introduction to bees

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May 09, 2020 David Hopkins rated it really liked it

In a body of brief bits of information, Noah Wilson-Rich offers a broad and knowledgeable scope of topics. As a 45-year beekeeper of constant studies, I find this book informative and inspiring. It is a fine book for everyone's curiosity. The book is beautiful in terms of photography and typography. I think it gives the book more value than meets the eye. After all there are a thousand words in a photo, especially beautifully crafted photos like these that invite lingering and admiration. And th ...more

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Jun 02, 2019 Daniel rated it really liked it

After I finished reading this book I thought what do I write in my review about the book. Thinking about what to write in this review did not help me. I liked the bee guide. One fascinating fact I learned for this book is that ever four minutes the sun moves one degree to the west. Cool. I also liked reading about the waggle and the round dances. I know if I were a bee I would never find any food. Its amazing to me that they can find their way to pollinate any flowers at all.
I can't think of a ...more

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Aug 20, 2019 Rob Caswell rated it really liked it

A good overall primer on modern bees, with a concentration on wild and domestic honey bees - "natural history being only a part of the content. ID guide is handy, but seems to lean largely on Eurasian species. Includes robust notes on bee keeping and current pathogen and parasite problems effecting the contemporary populations. ...more

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Jun 10, 2017 Daniel rated it really liked it

A good and comprehensive guide to all things on BEE!

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Dec 04, 2019 Maggie Gruenbacher rated it it was amazing

Most amazing creature! Great book and pics

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Aug 25, 2020 Topherjaynes rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Gob’s not on board.

Very digestible and learned more than I thought I would. Very lovely layout.

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Apr 29, 2015 Stephanie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2015

Thoroughly amazing read - the author summarizes almost every topic about bees. Oh the eye-opening things I learned reading this book. Perfect for really anyone - not very heavy on scientific terms. Random pick for me.

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Apr 21, 2015 False rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: science-nature

A beautifully put together book, but for a very intelligent middle schooler. Still. I enjoyed reading it.

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Nov 13, 2015 Janet rated it it was amazing

Shelves: nature

Informative and entertaining.

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Jan 17, 2016 Michael Blackmore rated it really liked it

Shelves: nature, science

Good overview of biology and behaviors of the various bees of the world. Serves as a nice introduction to the topic with a generous bibliographic for further reading.

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