Stephen Buchmann's Blog
January 7, 2023
Advance Praise Blurbs: WABK
I'd like to share, ahead of publication, some advance praise blurbs (back cover) that others have written about my new book: "What a Bee Knows: Exploring the Thoughts, Memories, and Personalities of Bees" from Island Press (Washington, DC).
"Stephen Buchmann is renowned as one of the most eloquent writers on bees and flowers. In What a Bee Knows he brings his breadth of understanding to the abilities and sensory capabilities of these essential insects. Buchmann teaches us about the world according to bees -- and about ourselves."
Laurence Packer, melittologist and author of Bees of the World and Keeping the Bees
"It is a treat to see Steve Buchmann bring his knowledge and love of bees to the intricacies of how they experience the world. Buchmann is a wonderful guide through the well-studied and newest research that is changing our understanding of these fascinating creatures."
Gretchen LeBuhn, Professor, San Francisco State University and Director of The Great Sunflower Project
"Steve Buchmann invites us to see, taste, and smell the world as bees do. Along the way, we discover their formidable mental capacities, learning that bees feel pain, solve puzzles, and use tools. Are bees sentient, do they think, and perhaps even dream? Come find out!"
Mark W. Moffett, author of The Human Swarm and Adventures Among Ants
"No single scientist has ever done so much to broaden our understanding of bees' remarkable capacities. No single conservationist has ever done more to conserve bees and other pollinators. Steve Buchmann is not only insightful and eloquent, but he is a national treasure."
Gary Paul Nabhan, contemplative ecologist, author of Where Our Food Comes From and Food from the Radical Center, and coauthor of Agave Spirits
"Stephen Buchmann is renowned as one of the most eloquent writers on bees and flowers. In What a Bee Knows he brings his breadth of understanding to the abilities and sensory capabilities of these essential insects. Buchmann teaches us about the world according to bees -- and about ourselves."
Laurence Packer, melittologist and author of Bees of the World and Keeping the Bees
"It is a treat to see Steve Buchmann bring his knowledge and love of bees to the intricacies of how they experience the world. Buchmann is a wonderful guide through the well-studied and newest research that is changing our understanding of these fascinating creatures."
Gretchen LeBuhn, Professor, San Francisco State University and Director of The Great Sunflower Project
"Steve Buchmann invites us to see, taste, and smell the world as bees do. Along the way, we discover their formidable mental capacities, learning that bees feel pain, solve puzzles, and use tools. Are bees sentient, do they think, and perhaps even dream? Come find out!"
Mark W. Moffett, author of The Human Swarm and Adventures Among Ants
"No single scientist has ever done so much to broaden our understanding of bees' remarkable capacities. No single conservationist has ever done more to conserve bees and other pollinators. Steve Buchmann is not only insightful and eloquent, but he is a national treasure."
Gary Paul Nabhan, contemplative ecologist, author of Where Our Food Comes From and Food from the Radical Center, and coauthor of Agave Spirits
Coming Soon: What a Bee Knows
I'm excited to report that my next book: "WHAT A BEE KNOWS" is at the printers and will soon arrive at the Island Press warehouse. The publication date for my book is March 7, 2023. It can already be preordered on Amazon or directly from www.islandpress.org. If you use the promo code BEES, you'll get a 20% discount from Island Press.
Even if you are a beekeeper or naturalist, I'm sure you will find some unexpected bee facts here. Did you know that bees can count to four, or that they solve problems in the form of walking a maze, or using a tool (e.g. pulling a string to get a sugar reward). Bees are likely
sentient (can feel pain), they sleep and may even dream. Bees likely have a simple form of consciousness. Bees are also responsible for pollination activities that globally bring about a third of all food to our tables. Yet, we are losing many bees (especially bumblebees in the USA) to insecticides, diseases and loss of their "bee pastures," the pollen and nectar resources found in wildflowers and urban garden settings due to anthropogenic causes. Bees are also suffering from warmer temperatures due to climate change, so there are mismatches between bee emergence dates and the blooming periods of their host plants.
I'm happy to be able to use not only my own photographs but those of talented professional photographers including Bruce Taubert and Karine Aigner to illustrate my book. Also, in the backmatter I give extensive notes that will lead determined readers to the primary sources used when researching and writing my book.
Please stay tuned for further updates as the publication date for my 11th book approaches.
Best,
Steve
Even if you are a beekeeper or naturalist, I'm sure you will find some unexpected bee facts here. Did you know that bees can count to four, or that they solve problems in the form of walking a maze, or using a tool (e.g. pulling a string to get a sugar reward). Bees are likely
sentient (can feel pain), they sleep and may even dream. Bees likely have a simple form of consciousness. Bees are also responsible for pollination activities that globally bring about a third of all food to our tables. Yet, we are losing many bees (especially bumblebees in the USA) to insecticides, diseases and loss of their "bee pastures," the pollen and nectar resources found in wildflowers and urban garden settings due to anthropogenic causes. Bees are also suffering from warmer temperatures due to climate change, so there are mismatches between bee emergence dates and the blooming periods of their host plants.
I'm happy to be able to use not only my own photographs but those of talented professional photographers including Bruce Taubert and Karine Aigner to illustrate my book. Also, in the backmatter I give extensive notes that will lead determined readers to the primary sources used when researching and writing my book.
Please stay tuned for further updates as the publication date for my 11th book approaches.
Best,
Steve
