Buzz

June 1, 2018

Lively and entertaining, Hanson's (The Triumph of Seeds) work introduces the world of bees--all bees, not just honeybees, which the author describes as "the chickens of the bee world." (Wild bees are far more common.) Bees have long held fascination for humans; they are mentioned in Shakespeare and found in primitive rock art. Beekeeping began in the Neolithic era, while mead, which is made from honey, is one of the oldest forms of alcoholic beverages. Hanson discusses what is known about bee evolution. The fossil evidence is poor, but it is suspected that bees evolved from sphecid wasps, coevolving with flowers, which have developed various ingenious methods of attracting them. Bees have also played a role in human evolution, with honey providing at least 15 percent of the caloric intake for hunter-gatherer groups. The author also details Colony Collapse Disorder, stating that approximately 40 percent of bee species are in decline, and provides suggestions for farmers and home gardeners in supporting bee populations. VERDICT Of interest to farmers, gardeners, ecologists, and anyone concerned about bees and their impact on our food supply.--Rachel Owens, Daytona State Coll. Lib., FL

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2018
Ancient people knew their bees and where to find them, for sweet honey to eat and wax to burn for smokeless light. From honey, people also made mead to drink and medicine to heal. Today, many of us enjoy honey but few of us appreciate bees themselves and the role they play in the environment and the economy. One estimate posits that 37 percent of the food we eat depends on bee pollination. Sadly, many of us fear, avoid, and even poison bees. According to conservation biologist Hanson, populations of many species of bees are in decline due to habitat loss, herbicides, pesticides, and introduced pathogens. Despite this news, the author is surprisingly optimistic that we can reform and protect our bees, citing recent research and improved agricultural practices. In Buzz, he states his case while entertainingly recounting human-and-bee history and his own experiences with many bee species. Readers might just notice more bees buzzing around their outdoor lives after reading this encouraging book.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)