Queen Must Die and Other Affairs of Bees and Men (Paperback)

~ William Longgood (Author), Pamela Johnson (Illustrator) "The bees are flying today and that is not according to the book..." (more)
Key Phrases: laving worker, packaged bees, embryo bees, United States, Cape Cod, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

"An engaging collection of observations about honeybees and their activities."--Publishers Weekly.

Product Details

• Paperback: 234 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (May 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393305287
• ISBN-13: 978-0393305289
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 4.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #313,662 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book, August 17, 2005

By	TCM - See all my reviews

I LOVED this book. As Joanne Lauck in her book The Voice of the Infinite in the Small says, "The affinity of beekeepers for their bees is called `bee fever.' Its onset might be slow or fast, but the end result is the same. You fall in love with honeybees and get your first hive. Later as puzzled friends and relatives ask you why, you try to explain, calling the malady a blessing." William Longgood caught his bee fever after he got his first hive, and this is the story of its manifestation. I have discovered something in the reading of his book... "bee fever" is contagious. I think I have caught it. Mr. Longgood, a Pulitzer Prize winner, brings his deep observational skills to bear in this delightful book. I recommend it to anyone who has an affinity for other forms of life on our planet. I HIGHLY recommend it for someone who is afraid of bees as I was before I read this book. I still have a bit of the shadow of my former fear, but much of it has been replaced by respect and curiosity. I truly believe that affinity and compassion is the best defense against fear, and certainly Mr. Longgood's book aides the development of both for the honeybee. I was very sorry to discover that Mr. Longgood has passed into the Infinite in August of 2000, but I cannot imagine he would need a better legacy than this wonderful book.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Long Live The Queen, December 12, 2002

By	Barbara Dwyer - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A warm-hearted and touching look into the life of bees. Through the eyes of the author, the personality, social culture and care of bees are explored with love and wit. While scientifically sound, this book reads more like a novel than a text book. I highly recommend this book. Thoroughly enjoyable.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars delightful read, March 7, 2002

By A Customer

Without being highly educated in scientific terms or history, this book was a wonderful and enertaining read. I have always been fascinated by insects, especially bees and ants, and this book fulfilled every question I had on bees. Longgood has written it so well that it is like reading a novel rather than nonfiction. This book makes one want to go out in the hills and study the nearest colony of insects all day long.