Bee Manual: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Keeping Bees

by Claire Waring

The Bee Manual offers a clear and concise introduction into the fascinating world of the honey bee and the addictive craft of beekeeping. For various reasons, the number of bee colonies has been declining and there is great interest in trying to aid their recovery. Anyone wanting to keep bees needs to learn about the individuals, how colonies operate and how the beekeeper can work with these insects to help them thrive, carry out their pollination activities and produce a satisfying honey crop. Full of color photos and clear step-by-step text, this book offers practical advice for anyone planning to take up this absorbing hobby.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Science

192 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2011

Reviews

[Book-Social · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warning I’ve gone full geek for this one.

I’ll admit a bee keeping manual isn’t every book bloggers first choice but Book Social has always been about books I have read rather than what I thought I should be reading. Having received a Bee Hive for Christmas (bloody flatpacked! I’m having to use a hammer and everything) I decided it was time to join my local bee keeping association and do some swotting up. My lovely bee keeping friend gave me the Manual as a present and it seemed like a perfect start. I’d read a similar book previously and came out of it more confused than ever – what was a super? Why did I need to exclude the Queen but then not have a hive without one? Well the Manual answered all that and more. It was really clear with step by step instructions, diagrams and lots of colour photos. I’m still not sure if I am going to be able to tell the difference between capped drone and worker larvae but at least I now know there is a difference and know what to look for. I’m sure the Manual is one I’m going to refer back to many times over and will become honey sticky with use. No better compliment for a book about bees than that!

[Ben Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always been interested in Bees and an opportunity to have some training came about back in May 23’ so I was tasked with reading this book.

It’s very well written, clear and understandable for a complete novice. Plenty of photos, diagrams and step-by-step guides to talk you through all scenarios to do with keeping bees.

I may not be in a position right now to become a beekeeper, but someday I imagine this book will become a valuable tool for me.

Excellent for bee-ginners and great reference material for the experienced.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid introduction, recommended by my local Beekeeping Association as the best guide for beginners.

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book, and will probably end up buying my own copy at some point. It seemed to be comprehensive and well explained.
I thought it would be a good book to read to help give me a better idea if I want to get into beekeeping or not. I can recommend it to anyone else in a similar situation.

[Christina Hollis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had this for Christmas, and as I had a huge stack I'm working through it gradually. It's an excellent source book, lavishly illustrated. It's a great resource and a particularly good book for beginners, as the photos are very clear.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comprehensive and highly informative manual on raising bees. Plentiful illustrations make this complex subject easier to understand.

[Claire Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for anyone with bees or thinking about getting bees. Lovely colourful photos, definitely one of the better reference books.