The Hive: The Story of the Honeybee and Us

The book is great so far as far as the content goes...the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because the book appeared to have been perhaps used and returned. Oh well - at least the book is interesting and is what I was looking for!

As I read this book, my mind kept creeping back to the thought of the box of honeycomb sitting in my cupboard. The allure of honey is powerful indeed.

This is a gem of a book about honeybees throughout history and how they, and their honey, have benefitted humans. I'm glad I happened across this book title and ordered it. It's a great addition to my library.

I love the information to story ratio that Bee provides readers. I'm a fan of her books and would recommend this to anyone.

No one tells a story better than Bee. Anything Bee Wilson writes I will eagerly read. She tells the story and does so well. And I always learn something new. More I will listen 2, 3 or 10 times and still enjoy the joy of the story telling. What a marvelous gift she gives to us.

I didn't know it was a library book. That was a little disappointing, with the stamps all over the book. But the book is in good condition and love the contents!

My grandson loves this book! He is into insects so I introduced Honeybees to him for his birthday. It is a success!

This is an excellent book for an excellent course, I recommend it to everyone! Enjoy! Am so glad I bought it!

This is at once scholarly and entertaining -- Bee Wilson is clearly fascinated by her subject, and treats it with warmth, humanity and a sense of proportion. She displays a very sound and assured knowledge of history, and somehow manages at the same time to convey a gently self-deprecating wit. Although the topic may be quite complex, the author renders it accessible and enjoyable. This is not the sort of book to devour at one sitting -- the anticipation of picking it up again after a pause is as much a part of its intrinsic delight as the actual reading of each chapter. Take your time, and enjoy it -- I did!

I purchased this having read D.Goulson's A sting in the tale, and several other books including H.Kearney's The Little Book of Bees. This reads like a combination of the two as it is detailed with a similar personable, story telling approach as Goulson, with many interesting stories and rich history interwoven. What I like about this particularly book is it's focus on honeybees, and the clear structure to each section (see contents picture). Wilson has clearly researched each topic extensively and includes examples of images, text, poetry, photos and diagrams from across history.Whilst interesting, it is at times a little opinionated and using a degree of complex language, sometimes without explanation. I didn't find it as gripping as other books I have read on the subject, and at times found the other's opinions a little strong, I did however learn a great deal about the history, not just of honey and bees, but of a great deal many things and feel that I have perhaps learnt more from this book about a lot more subjects than any other I have read.I would recommend this book to those wishing to learn more about honeybees, who have a basic understanding of bees and who have read other, more simpler books first. Start with Kearney and then move onto this.

Always easy to read about nature ---- and bees in particular ---- coming from an Apiarist, I'm obviously highly prejudiced !!!!

Gripping read for anyone interested in the history of mans interaction and affinity with bees.In depth information covering all aspects of how bees have affected human archaeology etc.

Like the book. Glad to add it to my collection.