Beekeeping∞c Oh my∞c what have I done? I am 30 years old, I have been married for three years and am a new father to a fantastic little boy. Surely there are things that I should be doing at this age which do not involve little yellow and black insects that can hurt you if you are remotely clumsy (which at 6 òÊ 5, I have an amazing ability to be). James Dearsley∞fs wife thought he had lost his mind when he announced his intention to become a beekeeper. But like many interested in the self-suffi cient lifestyle, he loved gardening and growing vegetables on his allotment and the old romantic in him had idealistic notions of teaching his little boy where honey came from, so he set himself what seemed a reasonable goal: to get, in a year∞fs time, just one jar of honey.
From A to Bee: My First Year as a Beginner Beekeeper
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'A.k.a. The Surrey Beekeeper, Dearsley started the Beginner Beekeeper's page on Facebook - now the biggest online community of beekeepers - and has also released a beekeeping DVD.' (The Bookseller )
About the Author
James Dearsley is also known as the Surrey Beekeeper and write for a vairety of publications including "Mother Earth News," "Grow Your Own Magazine," and "The Ecologist."
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Emily Heath
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
James offers us an entertainingly jolly, extremely readable account of all the trials and tribulations of becoming an English beekeeper. Not only is he combining this with a hefty workload as an international travel agent and being dad to a young toddler, he has to face the worried looks of his wife and friends as he turns into a complete bee geek. The book is written in diary format and follows his challenging journey during 2009 from complete bee novicery to getting his first pot of honey.
My favourite aspect of the book is that James is fearless in poking fun at himself. At a gangly 6'5, he creates a picture of himself as a clumsy Mr Bean style character, at one point falling down a flight of steps as he leaves his beekeeping classes. On another occasion he attempts to communicate with Polish beekeepers that he is a fellow beekeeper too by running around making buzzing noises and pointing at their honey - "As I walked away, I did turn back for one last look at these moustached Polish beekeepers and they were just looking at each other with a rather strange expression; one then shrugged whilst the other started laughing."
It is quite touching how completely absorbed he becomes in the bees, obsessively reading the nights away (a glass of red wine or whiskey at his side) and driving around trying to find out the local forage in his area. He also develops from being most interested in getting his first pot of honey to being deeply concerned with all the threats his bees and those across the world face. I think all of us beekeepers understand that feeling of wonderment at how much there is to learn, and how amazing these fascinating little creatures are.
By the way, if you choose to buy this book or indeed any other items from Amazon, please consider going through the Bumblebee Conservation Trust's Fundraising page at [...] first. Each time you access Amazon.co.uk via their link and make a purchase this brilliant charity receives a donation worth 8% of your total purchase, at no extra cost to you.
My favourite aspect of the book is that James is fearless in poking fun at himself. At a gangly 6'5, he creates a picture of himself as a clumsy Mr Bean style character, at one point falling down a flight of steps as he leaves his beekeeping classes. On another occasion he attempts to communicate with Polish beekeepers that he is a fellow beekeeper too by running around making buzzing noises and pointing at their honey - "As I walked away, I did turn back for one last look at these moustached Polish beekeepers and they were just looking at each other with a rather strange expression; one then shrugged whilst the other started laughing."
It is quite touching how completely absorbed he becomes in the bees, obsessively reading the nights away (a glass of red wine or whiskey at his side) and driving around trying to find out the local forage in his area. He also develops from being most interested in getting his first pot of honey to being deeply concerned with all the threats his bees and those across the world face. I think all of us beekeepers understand that feeling of wonderment at how much there is to learn, and how amazing these fascinating little creatures are.
By the way, if you choose to buy this book or indeed any other items from Amazon, please consider going through the Bumblebee Conservation Trust's Fundraising page at [...] first. Each time you access Amazon.co.uk via their link and make a purchase this brilliant charity receives a donation worth 8% of your total purchase, at no extra cost to you.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Rivendell
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This little book is charming, entertaining and full of fun - however along the way we do learn some of the basics of bee keeping and the ups and downs of this most interesting hobby. It is obvious that the author has a passion for his subject, and is not afraid to admit the mistakes he made on starting out. Bee keeping is an adventure and it is interesting to read how the author juggled his extremely busy job, and family responsibilities alongside his new venture with bees.
Is this a book that will teach you all you need to know about bee keeping? No, it is certainly not going to do that, but there are many great books out there that do cover in detail the ins and outs of the craft; this is however, a good introduction for the general reader about starting such a hobby, some of the joys and pitfalls that come along and also the plight of the bees in the world today.
It is an easy read and a satisfying one - there is much humour nestled among the pages and I would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in gardening, bee keeping and nature. Few people realise the plight of the bees and the pollinators, who are being wiped out in droves by the pesticides that are commonly used today in all our countries - and few seem to know that if the pollinators are gone, then so is mankind. If this book encourages even one person to think more about the pollinators in our world, then it will be a job well done. I highly recommend it.
Is this a book that will teach you all you need to know about bee keeping? No, it is certainly not going to do that, but there are many great books out there that do cover in detail the ins and outs of the craft; this is however, a good introduction for the general reader about starting such a hobby, some of the joys and pitfalls that come along and also the plight of the bees in the world today.
It is an easy read and a satisfying one - there is much humour nestled among the pages and I would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in gardening, bee keeping and nature. Few people realise the plight of the bees and the pollinators, who are being wiped out in droves by the pesticides that are commonly used today in all our countries - and few seem to know that if the pollinators are gone, then so is mankind. If this book encourages even one person to think more about the pollinators in our world, then it will be a job well done. I highly recommend it.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Ms K Sweeten
Format:Paperback
Lovely little book that will encourage any would be beekeeper to either take it up... Or run for the hills. As I read each chapter it reminded me of my early beekeeping exploits.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
beekeeping
a fun book for anyone who is at all into beekeeping,just pick up and read with a drink I find best.
Published 24 days ago by steven.n.hayde.
5.0 out of 5 stars
An entertaining read!
I've been keeping bees for only 33 weeks (yes I'm counting; one does this sort of thing you know) and after reading James book I am as enthused as ever to continue this wonderful... Read more
Published 3 months ago by thebostonbox
5.0 out of 5 stars
What a book
This was bought for a friend and all she has done is rave about how funny the book is and how much can relate to it.
Published 4 months ago by Miss R F Kemp
5.0 out of 5 stars
Read this Before Starting Beekeeping (and after for a laugh)
This isn't a A-Z manual about beekeeping, rather a diary of the experience of being a new beekeeper. Read more
Published 4 months ago by M W BROWNE
5.0 out of 5 stars
"From A to Bee" by James Dearsley
"From A to Bee" is quite simply a joy to read. James Dearsley's humourous account of his first year as a beginner beekeeper will have you chuckling out loud on the train, and,... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Neil A Burnard
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really buzzing!
A to Bee does not let you down and nor can you put it down; an exceptional read if you are interested in beekeeping or if you fancy finding out more about our buzzing friends. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Siobhan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best beginner bee book you can buy!
I read this book while travelling around Mongolia and thoroughly enjoyed it. From A to Bee describes James' adventures in becoming a bee keeper - from his very first thoughts... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Becky Weir
5.0 out of 5 stars
Delightful!
This really is a delightful book for beekeepers, non-beekeepers and potential beekeepers alike. You will certainly identify with James' exploits if you have already succumbed to... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Dilly
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thoroughly Entertaining
I received this book for my birthday. I've been interested in Bees for years and have recently been cultivating my own plans to have a hive or two. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Chris Leppard
5.0 out of 5 stars
From a non beekeeper
As someone that is interested in beekeeping this book has been a fantastic introduction to the trials and tribulations of a beekeeper. Read more
Published 9 months ago by A. Ross
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