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  • A good beekeeping book to read

  • General Q&A, Bee chat and only Bee chat please
General Q&A, Bee chat and only Bee chat please
 #1419  by Chrisbarlow
 25 Nov 2018, 12:52
Hi Folks,

Can any one recommend a good bee book or two to read.

I don't want another how to beekeeping or beekeepers for beginners book, more of a specialist subject matter.

I've got Jurgen tautz book for instance.
Maybe something around microscopy or honey colour and what that indicates, heather production or one specifically around varroa management
 #1420  by DianeBees
 25 Nov 2018, 13:09
Either of the Celia Davis books.

Winston is great.

I did enjoy Ribbands' "The behaviour and social life of honeybees"
 #1421  by deweyandrew
 25 Nov 2018, 15:28
Dr. Tom Seeley's Honey Bee Democracy is a good one. You;ll get a deep dive into colony decision making when swarming. Also available as an audio book. The narrator of the audio book does a great job.
 #1423  by AdamD
 25 Nov 2018, 19:55
I second the view that Winston's 'Biology' is a good book.
If you can get hold of a copy of Morse and Hooper's "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Beekeeping" which is out of print, it would be worth the effort in my view.

And some of the early books up to around 1945 are interesting - often very cheap on eBay.
 #1425  by Patrick
 25 Nov 2018, 21:00
A good fireside read is Manley’s Honey Farming.

It is a lot more than a How To book and it left a lasting impression.
 #1426  by Chrisbarlow
 25 Nov 2018, 21:21
thanks Folks, some good suggestions. I already have the the Manley book and I agree its a great read, fascinating insight and Ive gone back and re-read passages more than once.
 #1433  by DianeBees
 27 Nov 2018, 14:25
AdamD wrote:
25 Nov 2018, 19:55

If you can get hold of a copy of Morse and Hooper's "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Beekeeping" which is out of print, it would be worth the effort in my view.

I have a copy of this too.
It's very good. Useful. Although a bit weighty to carry round and read.