Interested in learning more?  Here are some great books about honey bees from history, biology, and beekeeping depending on your interest.  You can even start your own hive in your own backyard!  Click on the book title to purchase the book from Bookshop.org or visit your local library to pick up your copy!

Bees in America: How the Honey Bee Shaped a Nation – Tammy Horn

“Bees in America is an enlightening cultural history of bees and beekeeping in the United States.”

The Beekeeper’s Lament: How One Man and Half a Billion Honey Bees Help Feed America – Hannah Nordhaus

“The remarkable story of John Miller, one of America’s foremost migratory beekeepers, and the myriad and mysterious epidemics threatening American honeybee populations while exploring the vital role that honeybees play in American agribusiness, the maintenance of our food chain, and the very future of the nation.” 

Honeybee Democracy – Thomas Dyer Seeley

“A remarkable and richly illustrated account of scientific discovery, Honeybee Democracy brings together, for the first time, decades of Seeley’s pioneering research to tell the amazing story of house hunting and democratic debate among the honeybees.”

The Lives of Bees: The Untold Story of the Honey Bee in the Wild – Thomas Dyer Seeley

“A captivating story of what scientists are learning about the behavior, social life, and survival strategies of honey bees living outside the beekeeper’s hive―and how wild honey bees may hold the key to reversing the alarming die-off of the planet’s managed honey bee populations.”

Beekeeping for Beginners: How To Raise Your First Bee Colonies – Amber Bradshaw

“A simple, step-by-step guide that helps you learn the fundamentals of modern beekeeping. You (and your bees) will be buzzing with delight.”

Collins Beekeeper’s Bible or The Beekeeper’s Bible:  Bees, Honey, Recipes & Other Home Uses – Richard Jones

“An ultimate guide to the practical essentials of beekeeping as it is a beautiful almanac to be read from cover to cover. Part history book, part handbook, and part cookbook, this illustrated tome covers every facet of the ancient hobby of beekeeping, from how to manage hives safely to harvesting one’s own honey, and ideas for how to use honey and beeswax.”

The Backyard Beekeeper – Kim Flottum

“This book aims to make beekeeping an enjoyable and accessible backyard pastime, and it provides tips to get started for beginners.”

The Practical Beekeeper – Michael Bush

“This book lays out a method that’s as natural as possible, avoiding medications and treatments traditional beekeepers use.”

Honey Bee Biology and Beekeeping – Dewey M. Caron

“The standard beekeeping (apiculture) textbook used to teach college students and beekeepers the science and practice of bees and beekeeping”

The Beekeeper’s Handbook – Diana Sammataro & Alphonse Avitabile

“With step-by-step directions and more than 100 illustrations, this book is helpful for beginners and more experienced beekeepers.”

The Beekeeper’s Journal – Kim Flottum

“The journal pages feature plenty of blank space for your own entries, but there are also tips, ideas, images, and recipes from the author.”