Beekeeping for Dummies by Howland Blackiston

[HJBee]

Anyone read this and found it helpful / accurate? Been gifted it.

[Neils]

If its the one I'm thinking of I did read it when I was first considering starting.

I found it interesting but very US focused and in many respects of limited use as an ongoing reference. That's quite common with the "...for dummies" series as a whole though.

I do think that it gives a good flavour of what to expect as a beekeeper though even if bears and raccoons might not pose much if an immediate threat to us.

It does assume that you'll start with a package of bees, for example, which is quite common in the US but relatively rare here where youre far more likely to get a Nuc.

[HJBee]

Thanks Nellie

[Bumble]

I borrowed it from the library, read it and gave it back. It's okay as an introduction, but is US-centric. Almost any of the new to beekeeping type books is okay as an introduction, but that's where they seem to stop.

Hooper is still the bible, if you get a copy it will soon become well-worn.

[Neils]

I know this will get me burned at the stake, but I don't like hooper's book very much. The information's OK, if somewhat out of date in some places but it's dull as dishwater to read

[Jimbo]

I downloaded Roger Patterson's book Beekeeping a practical guide on my Kindle. I have not read the book from cover to cover yet, however a few of our first year beekeepers have given it good reviews.

[Neils]

I've read Rogers book, it is pretty good but there's a few 'Rogerisms' in it. You can play the roger drinking game: take a drink every time you're told to hold the smoker between your knees!

I can live with them in the supers but I really can't agree that castellated spacers in the brood boxes are a good idea and I've used 14x12s and I quite like them

[gavin]

..... castellated spacers ......

Unlike me to be so dogmatic, I know, but .... spawn of the devil!!!

[Neils]

I agree, I hate the things even in supers. In the brood boxes I think it's asking for trouble, one they're propolised a bit they are very difficult to remove frames from smoothly and can agitate the bees before you've even done anything.

[The Drone Ranger]

Lots of trendy or worthy contributions to beekeeping are bias and boring by turns.

I like a nice cheery and slim volume

Honey Bees A guide to Management by good old Ron Brown

Principles of Practical Beekeeping by Robert Couston

For Swarming get L E Snelgrove's book on the subject

For Disease and Varroa always get the latest from Fera
https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/bee....cfm?pageid=93
They are comprehensive and up to date

Well that's my recommended list anyway