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Beginning Beekeeping

7/31/2018

Not Particularly Helpful To These Newbies

Beginning Beekeeping: Everything You Need To Make Your Hive Thrive! by Tanya Phillips

I'm pretty disappointed with this book. It should be geared towards us. One of our goals is to start raising bees in the next few years. Aside from enjoying honey, we're hoping that having bees will greatly benefit our crops & of course, help the bees. A friend gave us the book (he wants the honey we eventually hope to have) Beekeeping For Dummies that I have yet to read (so many books, so little time). Prior to that I purchased a book by Storey Publishing Homegrown Honey Bees. Now I have this book by Tanya Phillips.

What I don't like, is that as a total newbie, who is pretty much clueless regarding raising bees, I was more often than not confused by this book. The main reason was the author discusses certain aspects of bee keeping & on the page there are lots of colorful photos regarding bee keeping. While reading I often wondered things like, "Is this picture of the frame being discussed or the other kind?" "Is this a picture of what is being discussed on this page or is it just for looks?" In all fairness some of the photos are clearly identified, but far too many left me scratching my head. I found this book mostly confusing. It feels more like a big fat magazine filled with glossy pages & photos, but not enough info.

I did learn a few things, but not anywhere near enough. I found it odd that powdered sugar is considered a chemical treatment. I don't know if this is the authors opinion or if it is considered so by the bee keeping community in general.

Also, the books literally stinks. I don't know what type of ink was used, but it is very unpleasant.

As one newbie to another newbie, I suggest you give this a pass if you are seriously considering raising bees. If on the other hand, you just want to dream about raising bees & want to read about it, then, you may enjoy this book. To the newbie who is planning raising bees, I highly recommend 'Homegrown Honey Bees' by Alethea Morrison. The photos in the book are clearly labeled & it is very easy to understand.

With all the books available on beekeeping, I really don't see any reason to get this book... unless you want to look at pictures of beekeeping that is.

Beginning Beekeeping

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