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Buzz: The Nature and Necessity of Bees
by
From the award-winning author of The Triumph of Seeds and Feathers, a natural and cultural history of the buzzing wee beasties that make the world go round.
Bees are like oxygen: ubiquitous, essential, and, for the most part, unseen. While we might overlook them, they lie at the heart of relationships that bind the human and natural worlds. In Buzz, the beloved Thor Hanson ...more
Bees are like oxygen: ubiquitous, essential, and, for the most part, unseen. While we might overlook them, they lie at the heart of relationships that bind the human and natural worlds. In Buzz, the beloved Thor Hanson ...more
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Hardcover, 304 pages
Published
July 10th 2018
by Basic Books
(first published July 2nd 2018)
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Start your review of Buzz: The Nature and Necessity of Bees
Thor Hanson can do no wrong in my eyes.
Captivating and informative.
"Bees are like oxygen: ubiquitous, essential, and, for the most part, unseen. While we might overlook them, they lie at the heart of relationships that bind the human and natural worlds. InBuzz, the beloved Thor Hanson takes us on a journey that begins 125 million years ago, when a wasp first dared to feed pollen to its young. From honeybees and bumbles to lesser-known diggers, miners, leafcutters, and masons, bees have long been central to our harvests, our ...more
"Bees are like oxygen: ubiquitous, essential, and, for the most part, unseen. While we might overlook them, they lie at the heart of relationships that bind the human and natural worlds. InBuzz, the beloved Thor Hanson takes us on a journey that begins 125 million years ago, when a wasp first dared to feed pollen to its young. From honeybees and bumbles to lesser-known diggers, miners, leafcutters, and masons, bees have long been central to our harvests, our ...more
Full disclosure, I. flipping. love. bees. They always seem so happy when they're just buzzing to and fro with their fluffy little butts and furry little legs. I just really love bees.
But until now, I knew very little about them. They buzz. They pollinate. They make honey. Occasionally, they sting. There are a bunch of different kinds that look nothing alike. Some of them are super fluffy and others are not but no matter what they go 'buzz' and make me happy. But I didn't have any technical ...more
But until now, I knew very little about them. They buzz. They pollinate. They make honey. Occasionally, they sting. There are a bunch of different kinds that look nothing alike. Some of them are super fluffy and others are not but no matter what they go 'buzz' and make me happy. But I didn't have any technical ...more
Oct 08, 2019
Katie Long
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
science-book-club-options
This is Science writing at its best; conversational, nuanced, and never boring. I came in with basically no knowledge, I thought all bees lived in hives and made honey (which I’m pretty sure I learned from Winnie the Pooh), yet still managed to come away with with a basic understanding of the ways in which bees affect the evolution of ecosystems and agricultural systems. Hanson convinces you without ever proselytizing.
In Buzz, biologist Thor Hanson takes us on a journey of bees, starting with their evolutionary beginning from wasps, to their diet and social structure, to their symbiotic relationship with flowers and vegetables that has exploded our world in color, fragrance, and taste. He talks about the bond between humans and bees, reminding us that we have relied on bees since the dawn of human evolution.
There are so many interesting tidbits and facts in this book. For example, there is evidence showing ...more
There are so many interesting tidbits and facts in this book. For example, there is evidence showing ...more
Enjoyable and informative! Would definitely recommend if you're curious about bees
Longer review to come... maybe. ...more
Longer review to come... maybe. ...more
From BBC radio 4 - Book of the Week:
Dr Thor Hansen on the nature and necessity of bees.
Bees are like oxygen - ubiquitous, essential and, for the most part, unseen. While we might overlook them, they lie at the heart of relationships that bind the human and natural worlds. Dr Hanson takes us on a journey that begins 125 million years ago, when a wasp first dared to feed pollen to its young.
From honeybees and bumbles to lesser-known diggers, miners, leafcutters, and masons, bees have long been ...more
Dr Thor Hansen on the nature and necessity of bees.
Bees are like oxygen - ubiquitous, essential and, for the most part, unseen. While we might overlook them, they lie at the heart of relationships that bind the human and natural worlds. Dr Hanson takes us on a journey that begins 125 million years ago, when a wasp first dared to feed pollen to its young.
From honeybees and bumbles to lesser-known diggers, miners, leafcutters, and masons, bees have long been ...more
If anything comes across in this book, it's that Thor Hanson loves bees. Not only that, he's actively raising his son to love bees as well. Hanson shifts the focus from the necessity of honeybees (which, of course, are necessary, but so much has been written about honeybees) to other bees: the communal and solitary bees that are absolutely essential pollinators.
If you're thinking about buying those packs of wildflower seeds to encourage bee populations in your area: read this book first! It's ...more
If you're thinking about buying those packs of wildflower seeds to encourage bee populations in your area: read this book first! It's ...more
Buzz is a wonderful introduction to the natural history non-fiction and an eye-opening history of bees in culture and why they remain so important to us #savethebees
There is no shortage of books about bees - not surprising given their fascinating social structures and importance in pollinating plants. But the majority of titles concentrate on the most familiar bee species, the honey bee and their superorganism nature. However, that leaves out thousands of species of wild bees, from the familiar bumble bees to tiny black insects few would even realise were bees. What Thor Hanson does so well is introduce us to the intriguing world of the wild bee.
I don't ...more
I don't ...more
Perhaps the highest compliment I can pay to this book is that I was afraid of bess when I first picked it up but, after the first few chapters, I started looking for them every time I walk by flowers. I stare at bees now, transfixed, in awe of their work and their beauty.
...more
A wonderful look at the amazing world of bees. Hanson covers not just the typical honey and bumblebees, but also the secret lives of leafcutters, masons, cuckoo (i.e. parasite bees), and alkali bees, among others. Anecdotal stories, discussions with experts, and a good dose of natural history combines in each chapter to give an interesting dive into the life of bees--how our interactions affect them, how they have cleverly coadapted with flowers, how they're essentially vegetarian wasps, and
...more
This great book is all about bees; from their evolution from wasps, to the many different subspecies, to how different species have different ways of acting with each other, to their role in our world to the current challenges facing their survival and what things we can do to help.
The author, Thor Hanson is a scientist who did his research including trips to see science experts to trips to Touchet Washington to witness efforts to encourage bee population that help the local alfalfa farms to ...more
The author, Thor Hanson is a scientist who did his research including trips to see science experts to trips to Touchet Washington to witness efforts to encourage bee population that help the local alfalfa farms to ...more
I enjoyed this book. The author was really self-deprecating and had a quite personal voice that made the book accessible to anyone. He really cared about the bees on a kind level. I appreciated that. What I was struck by most was the relationship of bees and flowers. I liked learning about how flowers grow to attract bees. I am going to start growing more flowers for bees in my garden and you can bet I will be studying those bees with what knowledge I learned from the book.
If you have a passing ...more
If you have a passing ...more
I was given an advanced review e-copy of uncorrected page proofs from the publisher through NetGalley. I'd love to see the final book because all of the images were in gray-scale. That and I'd like to share it. Lately I have too many books to read - assigned and by choice - but I read this over the entire weekend.
If asked to reduce this love affair to one word, I would choose habitat. Mr. Hanson repeats that theme/concept/perspective multiple many times throughout his book, but gently, as part ...more
If asked to reduce this love affair to one word, I would choose habitat. Mr. Hanson repeats that theme/concept/perspective multiple many times throughout his book, but gently, as part ...more
This was just the type of non-fiction book I like reading, which meant that I learned a lot from it without having the feeling I am being lectured to.
Thor Hanson has a wonderful way of explaining the world of bees, as if he is telling the reader about his discoveries as he delves deeper into this fascinating (and essential) group of insects. The passion the author has for his subject is clear and he explained things very well without getting too preachy or scientific. I loved the way he involved ...more
Thor Hanson has a wonderful way of explaining the world of bees, as if he is telling the reader about his discoveries as he delves deeper into this fascinating (and essential) group of insects. The passion the author has for his subject is clear and he explained things very well without getting too preachy or scientific. I loved the way he involved ...more
Very good book on mostly native bees, but also touches on things like the history of bees and human relationships with bees. Well written and very engaging. Not at all depressing, Hanson spends the bulk of his time telling us why bees are amazing and worthy of our interest, and then the last little bit telling us we should be worried but also giving us hope - a perfect balance, carefully calculated to garner the maximum amount of investment in bees from his readers. Worked for me. Recommended.
Enlightening summary about bees, and the current concern about their dwindling numbers, especially in North American. The author writes in an accessible style as he explains the science but I was hoping for more beyond a handful of anecdotes about possible solutions. Recommended, well written.
It’s always hard reviewing non fiction. But you need to know your bees.
A fascinating look into the lives of bees, their history, the issues they currently face and possibly the future. It's an interesting and easy read.
The author walked the line just right for me. Not too broad that there's no science involved and not so deep into the science and technical lingo to make my eyes glaze over or become confused and then frustrated.
Also a nice mix of interaction with experts in a wide range of topics and his own personal experiences.
Even tho I'm allergic to bee stings this book has me looking forward to seeing bees this summer and possibly acquiring plants to entice them into my backyard.
Also a nice mix of interaction with experts in a wide range of topics and his own personal experiences.
Even tho I'm allergic to bee stings this book has me looking forward to seeing bees this summer and possibly acquiring plants to entice them into my backyard.
Last year I read Thor Hanson’s “The Triumph of Seeds” and picked up “Buzz” because I enjoyed my first book from the author, and am interested in the problems facing bee colonies around the world. With “Buzz. The Nature and Necessity of Bees” Hanson once again proves that he’s a solid biologist and a very talented storyteller and writer.
While many people find the subject of insects to be repulsive, Hanson romanticises them bees and describes the special relationship that mankind has had with ...more
While many people find the subject of insects to be repulsive, Hanson romanticises them bees and describes the special relationship that mankind has had with ...more
Just plain cool. Hanson lays out so many great facts about bees--and not just honeybees!--with a storyteller's flair. I had no idea there were so many very very distinct bees in the world, and Hanson makes them memorable with tales of their vital importance to our world.
The information in this book was enlightening, but the overall organization of the data seemed poor. Reading this was like spending an afternoon with the author and letting him ramble. It goes to some interesting places, but it darts about without real structure and leaves you wanting for more information on areas that are briefly touched on… like the reader’s being teased.
The book was also rather short. Maybe doubling its size would have allowed for a more robust factual content and a better ...more
The book was also rather short. Maybe doubling its size would have allowed for a more robust factual content and a better ...more
An easy to read, science based book about the diversity and necessity of bees.
In this charming, informative, and enjoyable book, Mr. Hanson certainly delivers on the subtitle, “The Nature and Necessity of Bees.” He gives a whirlwind tour of bee biology from evolution to current physiology and clearly conveys how important they are both economically and as a wonder of nature. His writing combines whimsy and fact, e.g., after reciting statistics supporting their fiscal contribution, he goes to a MacDonald’s and deconstructs a Big Mac, removing those parts dependent on
...more
*A solid four stars.*
**I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
This book is dense. That is something that you should know from the get go. And it is a slow read. It took a solid 3 months of reading it at least once a week to finish. So, if you are an impatient reader, this book may not be your best bet for finding out about the fascinating history/evolution of bees. But if you are willing to take the time or are stoked about books that are pretty heavily invested ...more
**I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
This book is dense. That is something that you should know from the get go. And it is a slow read. It took a solid 3 months of reading it at least once a week to finish. So, if you are an impatient reader, this book may not be your best bet for finding out about the fascinating history/evolution of bees. But if you are willing to take the time or are stoked about books that are pretty heavily invested ...more
4.5
Another book in my growing evolution library and a topic I had no idea about, hence the selection. Thor Hanson tells a fascinating history and there is a lot of depth to found here. Like most of my books, especially the Journey of Man, which I have dubbed my 2018/19 reading, Buzz connects to the beginning of man. Bees are an important part of our world and shape the very foundation it was built upon and to think it was merely a moment in time when a wasp infected the hive with pollen.
The ...more
Another book in my growing evolution library and a topic I had no idea about, hence the selection. Thor Hanson tells a fascinating history and there is a lot of depth to found here. Like most of my books, especially the Journey of Man, which I have dubbed my 2018/19 reading, Buzz connects to the beginning of man. Bees are an important part of our world and shape the very foundation it was built upon and to think it was merely a moment in time when a wasp infected the hive with pollen.
The ...more
finished off the year with a book by one of my favorite science writers, Thor Hanson, and it was a good, surprisingly upbeat way to see out the year. Hanson’s work is always uplifting, even when he’s writing about the factors affecting the bee population of the world. He isn’t pointlessly optimistic, but this isn’t all gloom and doom. Rather it’s a thoughtful discussion of what is or may be happening in the world of bees. Some is hopeful, some is not.
But the real joy of this book is the ...more
But the real joy of this book is the ...more
A most incredible book! I purchased this on a weekend trip to Tasmania to visit a great friend. I fell in love with the bumblebees there (we don't have them on the mainland...yet), taking some of the best bee photos of my life. My friend understands both my obsession with bees and with books so took me to Fullers where I found this book in with loads of bee-keeping tomes. From the minute I opened it and started reading I knew it HAD to be mine. I have not been disappointed. SO much in-depth
...more
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Thor Hanson is a Guggenheim Fellow, a Switzer Environmental Fellow, and winner of the John Burroughs Medal. His books include The Impenetrable Forest, Feathers, Buzz, The Triumph of Seeds, and Bartholomew Quill. Hanson lives with his wife and son on an island in the Pacific Northwest. Learn more at his website: www.thorhanson.net.
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“In the past, people around the world heard the buzzing of bees as voices of the departed, a murmured conveyance from the spirit world. This belief traces back to the cultures of Egypt and Greece, among others, where tradition held that a person's soul appeared in bee form when it left the body, briefly visible (and audible) in its journey to the hereafter...Nobody knows the exact sequence of events that led to the beginning of bees, but everyone can agree on at least one thing: we know what it sounded like.”
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