Take a peek into the busy, bustling world of a bee... Thor Hanson introduces a huge variety of different bees species - such as masons, leaf cutters, cuckoos, bumbles, diggers and miners. Exploring the history, mysteries, anatomy, biology, and necessity of these vital pollinators, and shining a light on how heavily we depend on them - and how dangerous it is to take theses incredible insects for granted. If it weren’t for bees, we wouldn’t have strawberries in summer or pumpkins in autumn. We wouldn’t have coffee or potatoes, onions or garlic, and so many other foods that we consider as a basic essentials – even chocolate. I loved the deconstruction of the Big Mac as a way to represent how much we rely on bees for our food. If you’ve been following me for a while you’ll know how much I love a book that leaves me with a load of facts to share with everyone I know, and Buzz really hit the jackpot. Did you know that 20% of bees are parasitic, or that female bees store sperm in a special pouch in their ovaries?! Or that scientists believe that bees are descended from a Cretaceous period wasp ancestor… which means bees were buzzing around while dinosaurs roamed the Earth! This was a reread with my book club @rewildyourshelf and it was so wonderful to be reminded of how enchanting and awe-inducing Hanson’s writing is. Whilst the book is heavy with science & evolutionary mysteries, the writing is extremely accessible and gripping. This is a book for everyone. Bee lovers, insect swatters, gardeners, urban souls, foodies, hikers, farmers, and anyone who depends on these beautiful creatures for survival – oh, that’s you.

This is still in my "to read" book pile ... but from little bits I've dipped into I think it is a lovely book about the diversity and nature of bees. I love bees - so will love this

What a lovely book! Written in a very approachable language with snippets of real life discovery and back garden curiosity! Thor has approached the world of bees without falling into the usual trap of focusing only on honeybees. Instead, his book celebrates the true diversity of all bees and effectively passes on the message of their importance and value in our lives, without the tiresome doomsday fashion. This book was a fun, enjoyable read that is guaranteed to spark curiosity in anyone who reads it. Highly recommended ! :)

This is a fascinating book that looks at the development and evolution of this remarkable insect. Each chapter focuses on a different facet of our six legged friends starting with a look at how they evolved away from the wasp and the elusive search for bee fossels. The writing style makes it an enjoyable read for those with a knowledge of bees and is also accessible for those wanting to learn about these fuzzy friends. I had the chance to get a review copy of the book and I am so glad I received a copy, this book is highly recommended for those with an interest in nature and bees in particular.