The Lives of Bees

"Both the layman and general entomologist will enjoy this scientific detective story that is so engagingly and entertainingly told by a preeminent expert in the field."---Angus McCullough, Entomologist's Monthly Magazine
"Elegantly simple in design, the research is expertly synthesized by Seeley to give us a vivid glimpse of how honeybees live when left to their own devices. . . . It is the most complete picture yet of the honeybee's natural history. . . . As the biblical Prov erbs 6:6 notes of the ant, we need to go to the bee, 'consider its ways and be wise'. Seeley has done that better than anyone."---Gene Robinson, Nature
"Seeley is truly a wonderful science writer, and one of the best at synthesizing information from honey bee studies conducted across the globe . . . His ability to communicate his science, and the science of others into common themes makes his books a pleasure to read for both academics and general readers alike."---Cory S. Sheffield, Bulletin of the Entomological Society of Canada
"[The Lives of Bees] both celebrates and chronicles the natural history of the honey bee."---Barry Silverstein, Foreword Reviews
"This gorgeous and noteworthy book provides a very different view of honey bees and how they live in the wild and offers important lessons for saving the world's managed bee colonies. . . . The Lives of Bees will be highly-prized and often referenced by scientists, beekeepers and students of bees, and will fascinate anyone who wishes to learn more about the lives of these amazing insects."---GrrlScientist, Forbes
"[A] beautifully written exposition of the fascinating details of honey bee behaviour, physiology, genetics and interplay with the environment."---Peter Neerup Buhl, International Journal of Environment Studies
"A detailed and well-illustrated work that will fascinate both curious scientists and those with a passion for bee keeping. . . . Seeley's book offers great opportunities to learn about honey bees in the wild . . . a source of inspiration for sustainable beekeeping practices."---Fabrice Requier & Robin M Crewe, Trends in Ecology and Evolution
"This is a wonderful and original book about honey bees, unlike the numerous 'hand books' which are the staple fare of beekeepers. Professor Seeley has turned the idea of keeping bees on its head, pointing out the many indications that our current methods of exploiting honey bees may be quite harmful to them, or at best, not helpful. . . . so well-researched and presented that I feel it should be basic and essential reading for all beekeepers" * An Beachaire *
"Written for experts, beekeepers and biology buffs alike. Seeley's fifth book on bees illuminates why wild honeybees across the planet are thriving while managed colonies are under threat."---Krishna Ramanujan, Cornell Chronicle
"As one of the great communicators of honey bee science, Tom Seeley has written a superb account . . . This is a book for every beekeeper and anyone interested in the natural world."---Stephen Fleming, Bee Craft
"This is a first class work that should be read by anyone concerned with the alarming decline in pollinators of all taxa, but is especially important for bee keepers and their future as honey producers, and for biologists and landowners anxious to preserve habitat for wild honey bees."---David M. Gascoigne, Travels with Birds
"I was really drawn to Tom Seeley's The Lives of Bees. He IS the bee keeper's bee keeper."---Ira Flatow, Science Friday
"This book is a surprise and one heck of a good read."---Scott Shalaway, WV News
"Seeley who has been enraptured by bees since 1963, presents an authoritative and engaging account of why bees still fascinate him. The book should be of interests to students, educators, and professional biologists."---Norman A. Johnson, Evolution: Education and Outreach
"Tells you everything about honeybees that has not been told . . . . The Lives of Bees is well-researched and one of the most authentic works on honeybees." * The Washington Book Review *
"A wealth of information about honeybees based on decades of scientific research." * Kirkus *
"Cornell University biologist Seeley is one of the most beloved authors in the beekeeping community, and with good reason: his writing elucidates the lives of honeybees with clear science and a sense of joyous discovery. Seeley employs that approach here; even non-keepers will appreciate his bee's-eye view of life outside managed apiaries."---Gemma Tarlach, Discover
"William Hope narrates this highly informed work with a sharp focus on its scientific language. His clear, frank style helps the listener follow the author's deep dive into the lives of wild honey bees in their natural colonies, as opposed to those raised and kept by beekeepers. . . . This intriguing scientific study . . . elucidates the distinctive methodology of the entomologist and has much to teach." * AudioFile Magazine *
"A remarkable book. It is an essential read for every beekeeper who wishes to understand more fully the natural biology of the bees living in his or her hives."---Ann Chilcott, The Beelistener
"Finalist for the PROSE Award in Popular Science and Popular Mathematics, Association of American Publishers"