Member Reviews
Raising Resilient Bees by Eric McEwen and Joy McEwen was excellent especially as my Husband wants to keep bee's, especially as this book had over 100 colour photographs and illustrations throughout. It was easy to follow and was packed with so much information that was very helpful for a beginner or an experienced bee keeper. This book is a must to have in your collection.
I highly recommend this book and its now sitting proudly in my husbands bee keeping reference books.
Raising Resilient Bees is an interesting and well written layman accessible guide by Eric & Joy McEwen. Due out 20th July 2023 from Chelsea Green Publishing, it's 272 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.
The authors are experienced beekeepers, educators, and smallholders with a formal science background. They do a good job explaining complex ecological concepts in an understandable manner. The information is arranged in thematic chapters: ecological realities and how to adapt, an explanation of natural nest hives, apiary design, queen rearing, mite management, troubleshooting and exploiting different situations which will crop up from time to time, and creative methods of responsibly earning a living in bee-adjacent work.
The book is well photographed in color. The photography isn't abundant, but it does add a lot to the read. The authors have provided lots of chapter notes and it's well annotated throughout; with links for further reading.
Four and a half stars. This wouldn't necessarily be the *only* book needed to learn beekeeping, but it is certainly a good resource with answers to some very pertinent questions. The authors definitely know what they're talking about and do a good job of backing it up with solid verifiable sources.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
This book could not have come at a better time for me Thank You netgalley.
We have been thinking of building some bee hives and becoming beekeepers and we just keep putting it off. But now that I’ve read this book I will be working on it next weekend. This book tells you everything you need to know about bees and the type of bees and what their jobs are in the colony. It takes you step by step how to build the frames for the hives to choosing the type of bees you want
. I highly recommend this book if you trying to make you bees resilient or like me starting from scratch
Raising Resilient Bees is a textbook for the most avid of green-lifestyle beekeepers, but hobbyists will find a wealth of useful information as well. The processes and procedures of beekeeping described in this book follow many modern standards, but rewind the clock a hundred years and you will find the soul of Diggin’ Livin’.
Beekeepers Eric and Joy McEwen are armed with degrees in botany and environmental science, upon which they built a decades-long foundation of experience developing practices in line with organic and biodynamic tenets. “The promise of industrialization came with an externalized cost: the plunder and degradation of the wealth of nature, the only thing of real value.” With that in mind, sustainable stewardship is a focus of this book with natural nest beekeeping that includes milling their own timber from fallen trees. Sustainability, particularly as it applies to land health, is critical for resilient and productive apiaries. Bees are a keystone species. It is with them that McEwen starts. “We must return our attention to meeting the needs of the creatures in our care.”
The McEwens’ passion is evident, and their love of apiculture infectious. This book is a worthy read, whether for anyone interested in raising bees or just those who have a curiosity of the subject.
This book will be released July 20, 2023. Many thanks to Chelsea Green Publishing and NetGalley for providing this eARC.
This book is a great reference guide for raising bees. The McEwan have taken their commitment to environmentalism into action by finding the most ethical and environmentally friendly way to raise bees. Their book provides lots of practical of advice, but more than that, it conveys respect for the animals with whom they work. I am brand new to bee keeping, but had been turned off by previous advice that indicated that all bees die over the winter, so just plan on starting over in the spring. This book describes how to help bees thrive as well as a beekeeper's responsibilities as a steward.
Raising Resilient Bees by Eric and Joy McEwan is an informative guide that offers valuable insights into the world of beekeeping. With their extensive experience and knowledge, the authors provide readers with practical tips and techniques to raise healthy and resilient bee colonies. While the book falls short in certain areas, it remains a reliable resource for aspiring beekeepers.
One of the book's greatest strengths lies in its comprehensive coverage of various aspects of beekeeping. From understanding the life cycle of bees to selecting the right equipment and managing bee diseases, the McEwans leave no stone unturned. sonal beekeeping tasks, offering a practical roadmap for managing colonies throughout the year. They acknowledge the challenges faced by bees in today's world, including pesticide exposure, habitat loss, and climate change.
Eric and Joy McEwan advocate for sustainable beekeeping practices that prioritize the well-being of the bees. Their insights on fostering strong and adaptive colonies are invaluable, highlighting the importance of genetic diversity, disease prevention, and supportive hive management.
The book is filled with helpful illustrations, diagrams, and photographs that further enhance the learning experience. These visual aids effectively supplement the text, making it easier to understand complex concepts. Additionally, the inclusion of personal anecdotes and stories from the authors' beekeeping journey adds a nice touch!
Overall, this books is a reliable resource for those interested in beekeeping. Its comprehensive coverage and emphasis on resilience provide valuable insights into the craft. While the writing style may not be the most captivating and the pacing could be improved, the book successfully imparts knowledge and practical advice to beekeepers of varying experience levels. Aspiring beekeepers will find this guide to be a solid starting point on their beekeeping journey.
It is very hard to review a textbook on kindle. There wasn’t any chapter options. I like to flip back and forth for information in a textbook. I liked the information. Would definitely pick it up in hard copy