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Bees: Heroes of the Garden
With full captions explaining how bees live, function communally, communicate, feed, and reproduce, Bees is an insightful examination in 150 outstanding color photographs of mankind's favorite insect.
Honey bees, bumblebees, mining bees, dwarf bees, carpenter, leafcutter, and mason bees: bees come in many different types, with more than 16,000 species worldwide. The bees we are most familiar with, bumblebees and honey bees, live in colonies and play a major role in pollinating the crops, plants, and flowers around us. And bees produce honey, reputedly the food of the gods—a function of bees' lifecycle, which humans have exploited for millennia. Many bees today are domesticated, and beekeepers collect honey, beeswax, pollen, and royal jelly from hives for human use. A typical bee produces a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime. Bees can communicate many ways through the movement of their wings and bodies, most famously with the “waggle dance,” where they make figure-eight circles to let other bees know the direction and distance of nectar. Bees is an outstanding collection of photographs showing these fascinating insects in their natural habitat.
Honey bees, bumblebees, mining bees, dwarf bees, carpenter, leafcutter, and mason bees: bees come in many different types, with more than 16,000 species worldwide. The bees we are most familiar with, bumblebees and honey bees, live in colonies and play a major role in pollinating the crops, plants, and flowers around us. And bees produce honey, reputedly the food of the gods—a function of bees' lifecycle, which humans have exploited for millennia. Many bees today are domesticated, and beekeepers collect honey, beeswax, pollen, and royal jelly from hives for human use. A typical bee produces a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime. Bees can communicate many ways through the movement of their wings and bodies, most famously with the “waggle dance,” where they make figure-eight circles to let other bees know the direction and distance of nectar. Bees is an outstanding collection of photographs showing these fascinating insects in their natural habitat.
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About the author
Tom Jackson
650 books58 followers"I'm a non-fiction author and project editor (plus I do a bit of journalism). I'm available for project development, writing, project management and I also work as a packager. Click on the links above to see examples of my work.
But first some background: Over the last 20 years, I've written books, magazine and newspaper articles, for online and for television. I get to write about a wide range of subjects, everything from axolotls to zoroastrianism. However, my specialties are natural history, technology and all things scientific. I've worked on projects with Brian May, Patrick Moore, Marcus de Sautoy and Carol Vorderman and for major international publishers, such as Dorling Kindersley, National Geographic, Scholastic, Hachette, Facts on File and BBC Magazines.
I spend my days finding fun ways of communicating all kinds of facts, new and old, to every age group and reading ability. I live in Bristol, England, with my wife and three children. I studied zoology at Bristol University and have had spells working at the zoos in Jersey and Surrey. I used to be something of a conservationist, which included planting trees in Somerset, surveying Vietnamese jungle and rescuing buffaloes from drought-ridden Zimbabwe. Writing jobs have also taken me to the Galápagos Islands, the Amazon rainforest, the coral reefs of Indonesia and the Sahara Desert. Nowadays, I can be found mainly in the attic."
~http://tomjackson.weebly.com/
But first some background: Over the last 20 years, I've written books, magazine and newspaper articles, for online and for television. I get to write about a wide range of subjects, everything from axolotls to zoroastrianism. However, my specialties are natural history, technology and all things scientific. I've worked on projects with Brian May, Patrick Moore, Marcus de Sautoy and Carol Vorderman and for major international publishers, such as Dorling Kindersley, National Geographic, Scholastic, Hachette, Facts on File and BBC Magazines.
I spend my days finding fun ways of communicating all kinds of facts, new and old, to every age group and reading ability. I live in Bristol, England, with my wife and three children. I studied zoology at Bristol University and have had spells working at the zoos in Jersey and Surrey. I used to be something of a conservationist, which included planting trees in Somerset, surveying Vietnamese jungle and rescuing buffaloes from drought-ridden Zimbabwe. Writing jobs have also taken me to the Galápagos Islands, the Amazon rainforest, the coral reefs of Indonesia and the Sahara Desert. Nowadays, I can be found mainly in the attic."
~http://tomjackson.weebly.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
April 1, 2021
Bees:: Heroes of the garden is a wonderful collection of photographs of bees accompanied by interesting facts. I learned so much about bees and their importance to the ecosystem, and the photographs are beautiful and fascinating. We are shown page after page of close up photos of bees at work, and I learned so much about their world. The role of queen is an intriguing one, as she exerts chemical influence over the rest of the hive., and we are shown the inner "politics" of the hive. We also look at several different species, such as bumblebees, honey bees, dwarf bees, carpenter bees, and more.
This gorgeous and intriguing collection of photos would look great on any coffee table.
I received a temporary digital copy of this book from the publishers via Netgalley. My review is voluntary.
This gorgeous and intriguing collection of photos would look great on any coffee table.
I received a temporary digital copy of this book from the publishers via Netgalley. My review is voluntary.
May 14, 2021
Bees: Heroes of the Garden by Tom Jackson is a delightful guide to one of the most neglected insects within our ecological system; they play a vital role in keeping the balance between other species and their environment. In the case of bees and humans, these little insects are largely responsible for regulating our food supply. However, they are not only extremely important for humans, but also for entire ecosystems to function. Quite apart from the fact that pollination is important for food production, bees contribute greatly to the countryside, to gardens and general enrichment of landscapes. Bees are therefore beneficial to the environment generally.
They pollinate wildflowers as well as shrubs, thus enhancing and ensuring plant biodiversity and beauty in landscapes and gardens. And nowhere is the beauty of these tiny workers more apparent than in this book. The 224 pages are divided into chapters: Social Bees; Solitary Bees; Bee Anatomy; In the Hive; and Bees and Flowers, and although the book puts the stunning, detailed, full-colour photographs front and centre, there is still fascinating information to learn throughout the pages. Each chapter is introduced by some general information on the type of bee followed by wonderful images with every picture being captioned by the name of the subspecies and a little bit about that particular type, including where they can generally be found and the plants and flowers that they are most attracted to.
Bees explores the life cycle of mankind's favourite insect in all its glorious, colourful variety. It examines their busy social lives and those who are solitary and who live alone rather than in a nest or hive with others and features a wide variety of bees from all around the world, including bumblebees, leaf-cutter bees, mason bees, carpenter bees, killer bees, stingless bees, orchid bees and cuckoo bees, to name a few. Over 190 photographs offer an up-close, pictorial celebration of these complex insects in their natural habitat. Highly recommended.
They pollinate wildflowers as well as shrubs, thus enhancing and ensuring plant biodiversity and beauty in landscapes and gardens. And nowhere is the beauty of these tiny workers more apparent than in this book. The 224 pages are divided into chapters: Social Bees; Solitary Bees; Bee Anatomy; In the Hive; and Bees and Flowers, and although the book puts the stunning, detailed, full-colour photographs front and centre, there is still fascinating information to learn throughout the pages. Each chapter is introduced by some general information on the type of bee followed by wonderful images with every picture being captioned by the name of the subspecies and a little bit about that particular type, including where they can generally be found and the plants and flowers that they are most attracted to.
Bees explores the life cycle of mankind's favourite insect in all its glorious, colourful variety. It examines their busy social lives and those who are solitary and who live alone rather than in a nest or hive with others and features a wide variety of bees from all around the world, including bumblebees, leaf-cutter bees, mason bees, carpenter bees, killer bees, stingless bees, orchid bees and cuckoo bees, to name a few. Over 190 photographs offer an up-close, pictorial celebration of these complex insects in their natural habitat. Highly recommended.
March 4, 2021
The cover doesn't reflect this book very well, since it's composed almost entirely of huge, close-up, beautiful pictures of bees and their unique characteristics. Each photo is accompanied by a paragraph of text and you learn so much about so many kinds of bees and their lives. This would be a great coffee table book. It's beautiful and educational, and just plain interesting.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.
June 18, 2021
Did you know that ‘bee’ is a very generic term, encompassing 20k different species? Did you know that social bees are just a small fraction of a broader group of insects? Did you know that their only source of food is nectar and pollen? There are many misconceptions regarding bees, and this book helps setting them straight.
[Keep reading @ Bookshelves & Teacups]
[Keep reading @ Bookshelves & Teacups]
May 23, 2021
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Bees: Heroes of the Garden is a beautifully illustrated and neatly written nonfiction book about bees by science and nature writer Tom Jackson. Due out 6th July 2021 from Amber Books, it's 224 pages and will be available in hardcover format.
The photography, much of it macro, is crystal clear and breathtaking. There are photos which show the incredible diversity of different species of bees and varying anatomy. The graphics and layout are concise and easy to understand.
The book's chapters are arranged logically: social bees, solitary bees, anatomy (with some of the most spectacular macro photography I've ever seen - impressively clear and in colour), inside the hives, and bees' interactions with flowers. The photography is mostly stock images (credited in the back of the book), but very very high quality. There was no index provided in the early eARC I received for review purposes.
Five stars. Gorgeous coffee table book on bees. This would provide many many hours of learning for youngsters as well, especially with an older reader/adult to read the captions and any questions which arise.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Bees: Heroes of the Garden is a beautifully illustrated and neatly written nonfiction book about bees by science and nature writer Tom Jackson. Due out 6th July 2021 from Amber Books, it's 224 pages and will be available in hardcover format.
The photography, much of it macro, is crystal clear and breathtaking. There are photos which show the incredible diversity of different species of bees and varying anatomy. The graphics and layout are concise and easy to understand.
The book's chapters are arranged logically: social bees, solitary bees, anatomy (with some of the most spectacular macro photography I've ever seen - impressively clear and in colour), inside the hives, and bees' interactions with flowers. The photography is mostly stock images (credited in the back of the book), but very very high quality. There was no index provided in the early eARC I received for review purposes.
Five stars. Gorgeous coffee table book on bees. This would provide many many hours of learning for youngsters as well, especially with an older reader/adult to read the captions and any questions which arise.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
July 1, 2021
Powered by pollen and nectar, bees are the source of one of the worlds most beloved foods.
These workaholic insects are some of the most organized communities of the animal kingdom. They live in highly organized colonies where the queen is the only reproductive female and the rest of the colony are her infertile daughters known as the workers.
Honeybees, mason bees, and solitary bees are all different types of bees that share some characteristics with one another and have their own special traits.
This books is about the heroic insects that have been part of life on earth for thousands of years.
Supplied with beautiful photographs, this book provides interesting information about different types of bees, bee anatomy and hives.
What I liked about the book:
The book had very interesting information presented in an accessible way.
What I didn't like about the book:
Some of the parts felt a little bit dry.
Thanks to Netgalley and Amber Books for providing this review copy in exchange for an honest review.
These workaholic insects are some of the most organized communities of the animal kingdom. They live in highly organized colonies where the queen is the only reproductive female and the rest of the colony are her infertile daughters known as the workers.
Honeybees, mason bees, and solitary bees are all different types of bees that share some characteristics with one another and have their own special traits.
This books is about the heroic insects that have been part of life on earth for thousands of years.
Supplied with beautiful photographs, this book provides interesting information about different types of bees, bee anatomy and hives.
What I liked about the book:
The book had very interesting information presented in an accessible way.
What I didn't like about the book:
Some of the parts felt a little bit dry.
Thanks to Netgalley and Amber Books for providing this review copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 16, 2021
BEES! Everything you've ever wanted to know about these wonderful, industrious insects who make us honey and make having amazing gardens possible. If you've ever wanted to learn about bees, or just look at some kick-ass macro photography of bugs (how did the photographers get those pictures? HOW?! Bees are constantly in motion! What kind of cameras did they use? What kind of lenses?! I MUST KNOW) then you'll definitely want to check this out. Aside from being insanely informative, it features some truly gorgeous photos of bees in their natural habitat.
May 28, 2021
An avid bee lover, I snapped this title up to delve a little deeper into the fascinating and constantly busy world inhabited by these little fellows.
Worth a mention is the magnificent photography, a beautifully portrayed, intimate depiction of the bee's lives as they scurry about, hover, pollinate, work and generally be fabulous, as bees do. The book is descriptive, informative, and wonderfully presented, and would make the perfect gift for any nature enthusiast.
Worth a mention is the magnificent photography, a beautifully portrayed, intimate depiction of the bee's lives as they scurry about, hover, pollinate, work and generally be fabulous, as bees do. The book is descriptive, informative, and wonderfully presented, and would make the perfect gift for any nature enthusiast.
September 11, 2024
This gets so confusing and annoying so I probably won't be keeping it. The majority of the captions and photos are written with my left is the author's right. I got tired of constantly trying to remember that when he says the photos are on the right then they're on my left. It's a great book and the photos are stunning, but it's useless when trying to figure out which page he's talking about.
May 22, 2021
A big thank-you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for giving me a copy of this book for an unbiased review.
2/5 - It was okay.
Looking at the other reviews, I recognize that mine is an unpopular opinion. And I understand why others loved this book - it is filled with gorgeous photographs of various kinds of bees, as well as bite-sized but well delivered facts about these fascinating creatures.
However, I was left wanting so much more in terms of content and would have happily sacrificed the pictures for more information on bees. How did bee colonies develop? Why are some bees eusocial while others are not? How is honey farmed in different cultures, especially those that are less westernized? How do bees interact with ecosystems in their environment? What is endangering our bees? How can we protect them? What are the consequences of potential bee extinction? I did not feel that any of these questions were adequately answered, for a book which is entirely about bees.
I also felt that the photographic style of the book lent itself to a disjointed narrative - the pictures did not always seem to correspond to the sections they were in. This made it difficult for me to track the information. For example, there was a photo following mining bees that said that bees emerge from winter hibernation when the temperature is above 20C. I was confused - all bees? Or just mining bees? The photo format could be jumpy, which does not aid comprehension.
That being said, I love any book about bees and still felt that I learned a decent amount. I discovered that orchid bees exist and will now eagerly look out for them. I learned about bee anatomy. I learned that not all bees are social. I learned how hives split off and spread. Although I would have liked to learn even more, I still appreciated this book for what it was and am glad I had the chance to read it.
2/5 - It was okay.
Looking at the other reviews, I recognize that mine is an unpopular opinion. And I understand why others loved this book - it is filled with gorgeous photographs of various kinds of bees, as well as bite-sized but well delivered facts about these fascinating creatures.
However, I was left wanting so much more in terms of content and would have happily sacrificed the pictures for more information on bees. How did bee colonies develop? Why are some bees eusocial while others are not? How is honey farmed in different cultures, especially those that are less westernized? How do bees interact with ecosystems in their environment? What is endangering our bees? How can we protect them? What are the consequences of potential bee extinction? I did not feel that any of these questions were adequately answered, for a book which is entirely about bees.
I also felt that the photographic style of the book lent itself to a disjointed narrative - the pictures did not always seem to correspond to the sections they were in. This made it difficult for me to track the information. For example, there was a photo following mining bees that said that bees emerge from winter hibernation when the temperature is above 20C. I was confused - all bees? Or just mining bees? The photo format could be jumpy, which does not aid comprehension.
That being said, I love any book about bees and still felt that I learned a decent amount. I discovered that orchid bees exist and will now eagerly look out for them. I learned about bee anatomy. I learned that not all bees are social. I learned how hives split off and spread. Although I would have liked to learn even more, I still appreciated this book for what it was and am glad I had the chance to read it.
April 7, 2021
Close-up photography just doesn't get better than this. The details such as the wings, stinger, tongue, swarms and pollen are just sublime! One of my favourite photos in this book is of worker bees lapping up water. My brother is a beekeeper so it is fantastic to learn more about these fascinating creatures, creatures we cannot survive without. When you think about how many bees are needed to produce one kg of honey, it's mind blowing as each bee produces about 5 g during their life cycle. This book contains loads of breathtaking photographs with informative captions.
How lovely to see that the Carniolan bees, including the gorgeous bee hives of Slovenia, are discussed. The amazing hives are definitely worth seeking on travels to the Balkans. The roles of various bees (workers, queen) are explained. I did not know that the Cyprus honeybees use a particular technique to kill invaders. I learned which bees are the largest and smallest, how the plasterer bees got their name, bee anatomy (what setae are comprised of, distinguishing features of males and females such as segments in antennae and what ommatidia are), the tremendous importance of pollination, what goes on in the hive, why the bee keeper's smokebox is used and the distance bees fly in search of food and honey production.
The cover is abuzz with prettiness but when you open the book the true beauty begins. Any Nonfiction and nature lover ought to read and drool over this gorgeous sweet book. I will definitely look at bees with different eyes from now on!
My sincere thank you to Amber Books Ltd. and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this extraordinary book. What a discovery!
How lovely to see that the Carniolan bees, including the gorgeous bee hives of Slovenia, are discussed. The amazing hives are definitely worth seeking on travels to the Balkans. The roles of various bees (workers, queen) are explained. I did not know that the Cyprus honeybees use a particular technique to kill invaders. I learned which bees are the largest and smallest, how the plasterer bees got their name, bee anatomy (what setae are comprised of, distinguishing features of males and females such as segments in antennae and what ommatidia are), the tremendous importance of pollination, what goes on in the hive, why the bee keeper's smokebox is used and the distance bees fly in search of food and honey production.
The cover is abuzz with prettiness but when you open the book the true beauty begins. Any Nonfiction and nature lover ought to read and drool over this gorgeous sweet book. I will definitely look at bees with different eyes from now on!
My sincere thank you to Amber Books Ltd. and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this extraordinary book. What a discovery!
February 28, 2021
Bees: Heroes of the Garden
Tom Jackson
Publisher: Amber Books Ltd
ISBN: 9781838860868
Number of pages: 224
Dimensions: 297 x 227 mm
**This is an ARC provided by NetGalley for book reviews.**
This book is a coffee-cum-identification book about a number of bee species such as bumblebees, honeybees, leaf-cutter bees, solitary bees, carpenter bees, cuckoo bees, etc. It has a stunning collection of photographs with accompanying descriptive texts. What makes it different from the usual identification field guides is its exploration of bees in various activities other than foraging and flight. For example, you have several photographs of honeycombs, hives in artificial and manmade settings, and nests in natural constructions from different species. Some bees are shown engaging in typical social behaviour like the queen surrounded by her court where she lays her eggs in her brood chamber, feeding differences between bumblebees and honeybees, and burrowing habits of solitary bees. The latter half of the book is dedicated to macro photographs of bee anatomy where you get detailed insight into a bee's wing, eye, sting, etc. Beekeeping methods also grace this glorious collection of bee celebration. If you are a nature lover, a honeybee enthusiast, a nature artist with a penchant for quick sketches and watercolours, a photographer, a field enthusiast, a biologist, or anyone who wants to see how bees function through images without the burden of scientific explanation this is the book for you.
Tom Jackson
Publisher: Amber Books Ltd
ISBN: 9781838860868
Number of pages: 224
Dimensions: 297 x 227 mm
**This is an ARC provided by NetGalley for book reviews.**
This book is a coffee-cum-identification book about a number of bee species such as bumblebees, honeybees, leaf-cutter bees, solitary bees, carpenter bees, cuckoo bees, etc. It has a stunning collection of photographs with accompanying descriptive texts. What makes it different from the usual identification field guides is its exploration of bees in various activities other than foraging and flight. For example, you have several photographs of honeycombs, hives in artificial and manmade settings, and nests in natural constructions from different species. Some bees are shown engaging in typical social behaviour like the queen surrounded by her court where she lays her eggs in her brood chamber, feeding differences between bumblebees and honeybees, and burrowing habits of solitary bees. The latter half of the book is dedicated to macro photographs of bee anatomy where you get detailed insight into a bee's wing, eye, sting, etc. Beekeeping methods also grace this glorious collection of bee celebration. If you are a nature lover, a honeybee enthusiast, a nature artist with a penchant for quick sketches and watercolours, a photographer, a field enthusiast, a biologist, or anyone who wants to see how bees function through images without the burden of scientific explanation this is the book for you.
January 12, 2024
"Bees: Heroes of the Garden" has been an enchanting exploration into the realm of these tiny but mighty creatures. As someone not well-versed in the intricate world of bees, I found this book to be a remarkable gateway into their fascinating lives.. This delightful experience compels me to share a resounding five-star review, as this book not only educates but also captures the essence of bees with stunning photography.
Tom Jackson's lens transforms the seemingly mundane into a visual feast, offering an outstanding collection of photographs that unveil the diverse tapestry of bee species. From the industrious honey bees and familiar bumblebees to the less-known mining, dwarf, carpenter, leafcutter, and mason bees, the book showcases over 16,000 species worldwide. Each snapshot feels like a window into their intricate world, a testament to the astounding biodiversity within the bee kingdom.
Bees, often hailed as the royalty of the animal kingdom, play a vital role in sustaining our ecosystems. The book meticulously details their communal lives, highlighting their pivotal role in pollination, which nurtures the crops, plants, and flowers we depend on. As I delved into the pages, I couldn't help but marvel at the complex web of relationships bees forge in their colonies.
The symbiotic dance between bees and humans takes center stage, from the millennia-old exploitation of honey production to the contemporary beekeeping practices. Jackson masterfully captures the essence of the bees' life cycle, illuminating how they contribute not only honey but also beeswax, pollen, and royal jelly. The fact that a typical bee produces a mere teaspoon of honey in her lifetime resonates as a testament to the precious nature of their contributions.
What sets "Bees" apart is its ability to demystify the communication methods of bees, from the intricate wing and body movements to the renowned 'waggle dance.' The book weaves together scientific insight with stunning visuals, creating an engaging narrative that transcends the pages.
In my humble acknowledgment of the paramount importance of bees for our planet, this book has been a beacon of enlightenment. It beautifully bridges the knowledge gap for novices like me while offering a profound celebration for seasoned enthusiasts. "Bees: Heroes of the Garden" is not just a book; it's a heartfelt ode to these essential pollinators, a celebration of their beauty, diversity, and unwavering contribution to the tapestry of life.
Tom Jackson's lens transforms the seemingly mundane into a visual feast, offering an outstanding collection of photographs that unveil the diverse tapestry of bee species. From the industrious honey bees and familiar bumblebees to the less-known mining, dwarf, carpenter, leafcutter, and mason bees, the book showcases over 16,000 species worldwide. Each snapshot feels like a window into their intricate world, a testament to the astounding biodiversity within the bee kingdom.
Bees, often hailed as the royalty of the animal kingdom, play a vital role in sustaining our ecosystems. The book meticulously details their communal lives, highlighting their pivotal role in pollination, which nurtures the crops, plants, and flowers we depend on. As I delved into the pages, I couldn't help but marvel at the complex web of relationships bees forge in their colonies.
The symbiotic dance between bees and humans takes center stage, from the millennia-old exploitation of honey production to the contemporary beekeeping practices. Jackson masterfully captures the essence of the bees' life cycle, illuminating how they contribute not only honey but also beeswax, pollen, and royal jelly. The fact that a typical bee produces a mere teaspoon of honey in her lifetime resonates as a testament to the precious nature of their contributions.
What sets "Bees" apart is its ability to demystify the communication methods of bees, from the intricate wing and body movements to the renowned 'waggle dance.' The book weaves together scientific insight with stunning visuals, creating an engaging narrative that transcends the pages.
In my humble acknowledgment of the paramount importance of bees for our planet, this book has been a beacon of enlightenment. It beautifully bridges the knowledge gap for novices like me while offering a profound celebration for seasoned enthusiasts. "Bees: Heroes of the Garden" is not just a book; it's a heartfelt ode to these essential pollinators, a celebration of their beauty, diversity, and unwavering contribution to the tapestry of life.
March 27, 2021
Deep Pictorial Exploration of Bees
Honestly, I never thought I would have found a book just on bees to be so fascinating and beautifully photographed. I would call this a bee picture book, with enough text and captions to help you understand bees, bee anatomy, the honey-making process, and the all-important flowers. In the early part of the book, the author divides bee species into social and solitary ones. I'm surprised at how beautiful some of the pictures are, especially the ones with the bees on or near flowers. While some photos take a broader view of, say, a swarm of bees or a beekeeper working with hives, most are super close-ups of the bees, hives, and flowers. Some are so close up you can see the individual setae (hair-like projections on bees) and flecks of pollen. Frankly, some photos are actually beautiful, showcasing not only a variety of bee species but also flowers. Seeing how bee populations have dwindled dramatically across the world (because of human tampering with bees' natural habitats), appreciating what bees are and what they do for us in the background is important; we need to better appreciate how critical they are to us, especially in the natural pollination of food plants. This book will certainly further your appreciation of these key essential insect workers. This is a great book, also, to share with preteens or above who have an interest in science or food production. Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
Honestly, I never thought I would have found a book just on bees to be so fascinating and beautifully photographed. I would call this a bee picture book, with enough text and captions to help you understand bees, bee anatomy, the honey-making process, and the all-important flowers. In the early part of the book, the author divides bee species into social and solitary ones. I'm surprised at how beautiful some of the pictures are, especially the ones with the bees on or near flowers. While some photos take a broader view of, say, a swarm of bees or a beekeeper working with hives, most are super close-ups of the bees, hives, and flowers. Some are so close up you can see the individual setae (hair-like projections on bees) and flecks of pollen. Frankly, some photos are actually beautiful, showcasing not only a variety of bee species but also flowers. Seeing how bee populations have dwindled dramatically across the world (because of human tampering with bees' natural habitats), appreciating what bees are and what they do for us in the background is important; we need to better appreciate how critical they are to us, especially in the natural pollination of food plants. This book will certainly further your appreciation of these key essential insect workers. This is a great book, also, to share with preteens or above who have an interest in science or food production. Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
March 23, 2021
Look, I gotta be honest with you: it was really hard for me to review this at all because I kept getting distracted by the gorgeous photographs, and exclaiming things to myself like, "Oh, yes, you're very fluffy." What can I say? I'm a sucker for bees, my love and real-life namesake, which was why I picked up this book in the first place. And I guess that's a kind of review by itself, isn't it? I picked up Bees: Heroes of the Garden because I love the little bumblebutts, and I was not disappointed. I wouldn't say I'm a bee aficionado by any stretch, but I know more than your average citizen scientist, and this book did not disappoint. I learned so much! Bees don't have ears! Their fuzz is made of the same thing as their exoskeleton! It also had a lot of solid material for beginners, too, so don't think you have to go into this like me, with a background on the buzzy bois, to appreciate it.
And those photographs. Bees have to be one of the few creatures that only get cuter the closer up you get. So fuzzy! Such antenna! Wow! The colors are vibrant and gorgeous and the captions on the photos had me literally "hmm"ing and "ooh"ing aloud. This would be worth it as a coffee table book alone, but it's also jam-packed with facts, and you know I love a fact.
An excellent all-rounder. Come for the fuzzy bois, stay for the knowledge.
And those photographs. Bees have to be one of the few creatures that only get cuter the closer up you get. So fuzzy! Such antenna! Wow! The colors are vibrant and gorgeous and the captions on the photos had me literally "hmm"ing and "ooh"ing aloud. This would be worth it as a coffee table book alone, but it's also jam-packed with facts, and you know I love a fact.
An excellent all-rounder. Come for the fuzzy bois, stay for the knowledge.
June 17, 2021
Bees! Who doesn’t love bees? This is a book for anyone who wants to learn more about these tiny pollinators.
Bees are everywhere. Did you know that not all bees are black and yellow? There are so many more types of bees out there in nature! There are bumble bees, honeybees, mining bees and solitary bees, and more!
If you’ve ever been curious about them, pick up this book and pore over the fantastic images of bees. I’ve never seen a nicer collection of images of these amazing insects. The close-ups are awe-inspiring. I love the detail that the photographers captured. You can see individual grains of pollen in some images! You can see the infinite details of a bee’s eye!
Not all bees live in hives. Some are not even colonial. Some bees are solitary. Some dig holes in the ground. Some make their nests out of pieces of leaves and mud. You will learn all about these fascinating insects in this book. The reading is easy, and the photos will hold your attention.
The science of bees is way more complicated than I thought. Bees make honey, but they also serve a vital purpose in the ecosystem. Where would we be without bees? Read this book to find out even more about the fascinating lives of our neighbors, the bees.
Bees are everywhere. Did you know that not all bees are black and yellow? There are so many more types of bees out there in nature! There are bumble bees, honeybees, mining bees and solitary bees, and more!
If you’ve ever been curious about them, pick up this book and pore over the fantastic images of bees. I’ve never seen a nicer collection of images of these amazing insects. The close-ups are awe-inspiring. I love the detail that the photographers captured. You can see individual grains of pollen in some images! You can see the infinite details of a bee’s eye!
Not all bees live in hives. Some are not even colonial. Some bees are solitary. Some dig holes in the ground. Some make their nests out of pieces of leaves and mud. You will learn all about these fascinating insects in this book. The reading is easy, and the photos will hold your attention.
The science of bees is way more complicated than I thought. Bees make honey, but they also serve a vital purpose in the ecosystem. Where would we be without bees? Read this book to find out even more about the fascinating lives of our neighbors, the bees.
April 12, 2021
Bees is a beautifully illustrated and knowledgeable book, allowing a reader to dive into the diverse world of bees. The book is easy to follow and each category follows well. The images are large enough to fully appreciate the bees, but also small enough to be able to skim past them when looking for a particular area of text or species of bee. The book over all taught me a great deal about bees, and allowed me to appreciate those species not native to my home country that I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to discover.
My only issues with this book was not all the photographs state the species of bee within it. As someone who is interested in insect identification, it would have been nice to have that bit of information added to the book. Additionally, I read this book digitally, this book did not flow well upon the devices I tried it on. Many of the pages are double-page spreads and it was incredibly difficult at times of imagine the photographs in there full form when they are divided into two sections on top of each other.
Over all I loved this book and found it highly informative, I would recommend it to anyone interested in insects, beekeeping or the natural world.
My only issues with this book was not all the photographs state the species of bee within it. As someone who is interested in insect identification, it would have been nice to have that bit of information added to the book. Additionally, I read this book digitally, this book did not flow well upon the devices I tried it on. Many of the pages are double-page spreads and it was incredibly difficult at times of imagine the photographs in there full form when they are divided into two sections on top of each other.
Over all I loved this book and found it highly informative, I would recommend it to anyone interested in insects, beekeeping or the natural world.
June 1, 2021
*4.5 stars*
Beautiful photos…
I was blown away by the pictures in the first few pages. From life-size to many magnifications, a variety of bees are shown in their natural world as well as in the hives created for them by modern beekeepers. With insightful snippets of information and history attached to each photo and category, the life and meaning of bees were brought to life…
Bees and their vital place in the world has been increasingly covered in the mainstream media. Humans, climate change, loss of habitat – so many things threaten bees and their life-giving work. As I found out here they are also busy – incredibly so. Each bee has a role in the hive and when that role ends, another begins. From birth to death, a bee’s life is targeted in focus and incredibly beautiful. It is nature, in all its inherent simplicity and complexity. And beautifully documented here…
If you are a fan of biology, photography, science and especially bees, you will find this an informative as well as visually appealing book.
*I happily reviewed this book
**Thank you to NetGalley
Beautiful photos…
I was blown away by the pictures in the first few pages. From life-size to many magnifications, a variety of bees are shown in their natural world as well as in the hives created for them by modern beekeepers. With insightful snippets of information and history attached to each photo and category, the life and meaning of bees were brought to life…
Bees and their vital place in the world has been increasingly covered in the mainstream media. Humans, climate change, loss of habitat – so many things threaten bees and their life-giving work. As I found out here they are also busy – incredibly so. Each bee has a role in the hive and when that role ends, another begins. From birth to death, a bee’s life is targeted in focus and incredibly beautiful. It is nature, in all its inherent simplicity and complexity. And beautifully documented here…
If you are a fan of biology, photography, science and especially bees, you will find this an informative as well as visually appealing book.
*I happily reviewed this book
**Thank you to NetGalley
February 27, 2021
I was provided with a free ARC of Bees courtesy of #netgalley, Tom Jackson and the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
Bees is an extensive collection of beautiful, intimate photos of bees throughout their lifetime. They are seen as solitary creatures collecting pollen to a working colony at work in the hive. It's amazing the level of detail the photographs collected from the individual particles of pollen collected on a coat to the colour and definition of different parts of their anatomy.
The pictures are colourful, descriptive and focussed. The excerpts that accompany many of them are insightful and informative providing just enough information for the layman to discover something new without being overloaded with scientific jargon. I particularly love the composition of the solitary bees out in the field.
This book would suit photography enthusiasts, as well as nature enthusiasts. It would suit an audience of preteens and older.
Bees is an extensive collection of beautiful, intimate photos of bees throughout their lifetime. They are seen as solitary creatures collecting pollen to a working colony at work in the hive. It's amazing the level of detail the photographs collected from the individual particles of pollen collected on a coat to the colour and definition of different parts of their anatomy.
The pictures are colourful, descriptive and focussed. The excerpts that accompany many of them are insightful and informative providing just enough information for the layman to discover something new without being overloaded with scientific jargon. I particularly love the composition of the solitary bees out in the field.
This book would suit photography enthusiasts, as well as nature enthusiasts. It would suit an audience of preteens and older.
May 13, 2021
Yes - get it!
WOW - just wow! My boyfriend has a couple boxes of bees and as a former Master Gardener, I more then understand their role in our world. But even I learned a great deal from this book.
First, I would ignore the publishers comment about 150 outstanding photos - they are being very, VERY modest. Even on my little cellphone, the pictures were absolutely extraordinary. I can't imagine what they are in a 9 x 12 book.
The detail on the photos helped enforce what I already knew about bees but could never really understand because it's hard to visualize the concept. So no need to discuss that further because those pictures are worth 1000's of words!
The beauty of flowers and the engineering miracle that are bees were so wonderful to view - just a incredible review of nature's handiwork.
Great resource for schools & libraries!!
I received an ARC from Netgalley and Amber Books LTD to prepare for my honest review.
WOW - just wow! My boyfriend has a couple boxes of bees and as a former Master Gardener, I more then understand their role in our world. But even I learned a great deal from this book.
First, I would ignore the publishers comment about 150 outstanding photos - they are being very, VERY modest. Even on my little cellphone, the pictures were absolutely extraordinary. I can't imagine what they are in a 9 x 12 book.
The detail on the photos helped enforce what I already knew about bees but could never really understand because it's hard to visualize the concept. So no need to discuss that further because those pictures are worth 1000's of words!
The beauty of flowers and the engineering miracle that are bees were so wonderful to view - just a incredible review of nature's handiwork.
Great resource for schools & libraries!!
I received an ARC from Netgalley and Amber Books LTD to prepare for my honest review.
March 28, 2021
I love bees and the more I learn about them the more I love them. The information in this book is easy to understand and covers different aspects of bee life and types of bees. The main focus of the this book is the photography and the photographs do not disappoint. The macrophotography is absolutely stunning, capturing everything from individual clumps of pollen trapped bumble bees fluff to the delicate structure of opalescent wings. Some of the pictures were harsh reminders that bees are first and foremost insects, but some truly capture the beauty of this key species. I can see this as a coffee table book for an avid gardener or apiarist.
Thank you to NetGalley and Amber Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Amber Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 4, 2021
Really beautiful photography of one of the most important insects on this planet. This amazing coffee table book explores all there is to know about bees through photos and interesting captions. My favourite parts and photos were of the humble bumble bee covered in pollen and loved seeing how they made the honey too. I found out there is a lot more species of bees than I thought and how they all act so differently to each other. Taking photos of a tiny flying insect must be tricky so I am astounded at how many beautiful detailed photos there are. Really great book to have on your coffee table, but also to share the beauty and knowledge about bees that I think are often understated.
Received from netgalley for honest review
Received from netgalley for honest review
May 19, 2021
Bees: Heroes of the Garden by Tom Jackson
Publisher: Amber Books Ltd
Genre: Arts & Photography | Home & Garden | Science
Publication Date: May 14, 2021
Bees: Heroes of the Garden by Tom Jackson is a great resource of all things bees.
I really enjoyed reading this book. My husband and I have been discussing whether we want our own hives for awhile now. We find them to be fascinating. Reading this book has really solidified my vote!
This book is well laid out and is filled with great information! I definitely recommend it to anyone who is curious about bees.
I'm so grateful to Tom Jackson, Amber Books Ltd, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: Amber Books Ltd
Genre: Arts & Photography | Home & Garden | Science
Publication Date: May 14, 2021
Bees: Heroes of the Garden by Tom Jackson is a great resource of all things bees.
I really enjoyed reading this book. My husband and I have been discussing whether we want our own hives for awhile now. We find them to be fascinating. Reading this book has really solidified my vote!
This book is well laid out and is filled with great information! I definitely recommend it to anyone who is curious about bees.
I'm so grateful to Tom Jackson, Amber Books Ltd, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.
April 30, 2021
This book is stunning and excellent for all the family. The photography is amazing full of beautiful close up pictures taking us through the live and death and struggles of various species of bee. I never knew there were so many species my favourite has to be the bumblebee. Bees are so important to our environment so this book is a must read. The more we read about our environment, the better understanding we have on how to make it sustainable. While reading this book for reviewing, not only did I learn new facts about bees from all over the world my 9 year old daughter was reading it over my shoulder and loved it. She said wow its amazing she won't bee scared of them no more.
June 21, 2021
Absolutely amazing photography! This book is beautiful to read and packed full of information. The full life cycle of bees are covered across a variety of species and in a lovely variety of photography. The anatomy closeups are fascinating. The home and community photos add depth to the story. Both experienced bee enthusiasts and those with no background knowledge will enjoy "Bees."
I think "Bees" would be best appreciated in print. And a note: the cover is gorgeous, but not a great representation of the contents. It is all photography.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
I think "Bees" would be best appreciated in print. And a note: the cover is gorgeous, but not a great representation of the contents. It is all photography.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
March 2, 2021
The Bees is a lovely books and the photos of the bees are amazing. The photos are really colourful and there is great close up shots of the bees. This book talks about different bees , the hives , how they attach there selfs to the flowers and get pollen, you see photos of the bees eggs. There is lots of photos and there are small amounts of writing that goes with the pictures. The book also talks about the bees anatomy. If you like bees you will love this book filled with lots of information.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tom Jackson for letting me read this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tom Jackson for letting me read this book.
April 26, 2021
This is a beautifully done book about bees! From the cover to the details about bees to almost 200 high quality photographs, everything about this book was done professional and the result is an awesome book for anyone interested in learning about bees. This is a European book though so the species aren't all the same, however, the overall information about bees is relevant to understanding bees in general, I really enjoyed the macro photography...such details that you can never see with the naked eye. Fact-filled but balanced with plenty of photos, I recommend this book!
May 7, 2021
We all know bees are useful, right? But did you also know how completely fascinating they are? Bet you didn't! Get your hands on a copy of this book and you'll bee (sorry!) amazed at these little critters so many of us take for granted. The photos are stunning, giving us a close-up look that's otherwise out of reach for most of us. The information included with each photo is perfectly balanced and you'll have plenty of eyes-wide moments while reading.
My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
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June 18, 2021Bees: Heroes of the Garden is a gorgeous book, filled with breathtaking photos of these important insects and information about the many different species of bees. Thanks to the detailed close ups and interesting captions, I learned so much about the hierarchy of the hive and the life cycle of these fascinating little creatures. This would be a great coffee table book for anyone interested in bees, pollinators, nature, gardening, or just beautiful photography.
I am extremely grateful to Netgalley and Amber Books for the opportunity to read and review Bees: Heroes of the Garden.
I am extremely grateful to Netgalley and Amber Books for the opportunity to read and review Bees: Heroes of the Garden.
April 1, 2022
What a great and informative book this is, full of amazing colour close-up photographs of all things bees. The book is divided in the sections such as The Social bee, The Solitary bee, Bee anatomy, Hives and lastly Bees and Flowers.
The explanations are good and easily understood, a great book for adults and children alike. I did not know there was so much to learn about bees and so many species.
The explanations are good and easily understood, a great book for adults and children alike. I did not know there was so much to learn about bees and so many species.
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