A Book Of Bees: And How to Keep Them

Back in early April, I mentioned one of Sue Hubbell's other books, A Country Year: Living the Questions on my blog, where she writes about her time living in the Ozarks and raising bees as a profession.While A Country Year was meant as entertaining reading, this book is Hubbell giving you clean and excellent information on the keeping of bees, along with some of the poetic language from A Country Year. Just like that book, I will finish this book in a day or two, as it pulls me through the various seasons of the beekeeper. Winter is prep time. Spring brings hard work and maintenance. Fall is harvest and preparing the hives for Winter.I get fixated on ideas somehow, and Hubbell's books are feeding my current fixation on bees. My neighbors hive, clearly visible from my back yard, has grown more interesting. It gives me a life model to explore my newly gained knowledge without completely suiting up in bee gear. It is heartening to know that the flowers and trees in my garden benefit from these bees, as much as the bees benefit from them.

Buffalo Sue says this book is delightful. I'd like to find a different word to be original but I can't.It is delightful in the way Sue Hubbell somehow manages to be both down to earth as somebody making a living with bees must yet is also as bright eyed as a kid experiencing something wonderfully new every day which is in fact what you get with bees.If you are into bees buy it. If you are not into bees but enjoy the idea that even today there is a satisfying way to live that does not require destruction of the environment or the death or discomfort of your charges you would enjoy it.

There is no better information on beekeeping for public, hobbiest or professional. Where six beekeeper can have ten opinions between them, Sue Hubbell is someone that I read a year after assertively taking up bees - and I agree with 99.5% of the knowledge and methodology that she shares. As bees are now threatened and the public is becoming supportive and curious about them, this book is a wonderful read even if one never even thinks of getting close to bees. The book is a joy. The author conveys the essence and reveals an accurate portrayal of how one uses probability and intuition to undertake what can only be equated to playing chess with a logical, but still wildly independent species, that beautifully represents the best that nature has to offer, and then there's the honey which one can thoroughly appreciate with greater insight. This book is a winner. Buy several. Give them to people you want to have as lifelong friends.

I picked up this book with no particular interest in honeybees, attracted only by the warmth of Sue Hubbell's unpretentious style, and something fine about the writer as a person. She is wonderful company. She has a busy mind grounded in serenity, an unusual mixture of curiosity and peace. I really feel I've spent time in her company. I read all of her books. Then I read works by Lorenzo Langstroth and Francois Huber because she mentioned them. Attracted to the Victorian and Edwardian bee masters because I am a devotee of Sherlock Holmes, I read dozens of titles. Finally, I wrote a book about Sherlock Holmes and beekeeping. And it all started because I picked up A Book of Bees!

I first read this book several years ago and bought and gave away three copies. I'm so glad it has been republished. Sue Hubbell recounts a year in her life as a beekeeper, with musings on nature, and with a loving portrait of her honeybees. Bees are wondrous and if you don't think so, Hubbell will help you see the light. I have finally succumbed to the urge to keep bees myself, and now I value the book for it's information and wisdom on beekeeping. One thing, though. The insect pictured on the cover...is not a honeybee! I bet she was not pleased! This is a peaceful read, a good summer book, and a keeper.