Thor Hanson’s Buzz is a
fascinating read into the world of bees. The author discusses the essential role
that the buzzing, stinging, and swarming insects have played over history,
providing both a mechanism for plant reproduction through pollination but also food
through honey. There’s a great anecdote about the role bees play in our
food chain using a Big Mac and how much of it is a byproduct of some level of
pollination by a bee. We won’t spoil the outcome in this review.
Hanson describes the differences
between bees and wasps, reminds us that not all varieties of bees sting, and
shares the various habitats that each species of bee prefers. Hanson
travels around parts of the Western United States, often with his young son, to
share his love of bees and expertise in the field. The book also discusses the
challenges that bees presently face - both from human-induced factors and other pests as well.
You can tell Hanson truly enjoys
his work as his passion for bees lives
through each page. While not a long read, Buzz is highly educational and
enjoyable. You will learn a lot about how bees operate and gain a new
appreciation for them. If you are allergic to bee stings, this may be your only
way to enjoy bees up close and personal. I promise you won’t be stung by
anything in the book, and I also promise that if you are curious to know more
about how much bees do for you, Buzz is a definitive work that you will
likely want to keep in your library for years to come.
MY RATING - 5
