Pros: This book has a lot packed in it's pages, very comprehensive and thorough. Valuable resource for new beekeepers.
Cons: It is bible sized! Not one for lugging around the bee yard.
Before we decided to become beekeepers, we read just about every book, magazine and on-line resource we could. Every beekeeper does things differently, and some are adamant that their way is right and the only way to do things.
If I had one piece of advice to new beek's (and we are new "beeks" or new beekeeping geeks ourselves) it would be listen to everyone, and everything. Some information will be repeated and probably stands as a good idea, and some will seem weird and not very usable. Ingest it all, and sort out what works for you in your particular situation.
The Beekeper's Bible starts with a rich history of beekeeping history, beliefs, and traditions. The illustrations are beautiful and if you are a bee nerd they are worth the price of the book on their own. The book then delves in to be physiology, and the structure of the hive. There are comprehensive chapters on how to manage your hives written in a no nonsense, easy to approach style. The practical pages are dotted with scientific footnotes that will make curious minds happy.
The last chapters of the book are pure gold...what to do with the hive products you harvest. There are mouth watering recipes for honey scones, marinades, sauces and glazes. The section on medicinal honeys is worth it for herbalists wanting to expand their delivery mediums. There is even a recipe for a hangover cure. There are generously sprinkled recipes for cosmetics as well.
Out of all the books we read and re-read, this is the book that sits on our shelf as a go to reference. It is beautifully presented, elegantly illustrated and contains practical, usable information. Buy a copy for yourself or your local library!
(Jace says: I wish I fully knew what a great book this is...I can't get it away from Miss Bee Haven long enough to read it myself!)
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