A keeper of Bees. Notes on Hive and Home

Allison Wallace

ISBN 10: 1400062713 / ISBN 13: 9781400062713

Published by Random House, Inc., Westminster, Maryland, U.S.A., 2006

About this Item

ISBN 1400062713. Hardback edition. As new condition. First Printing. Near Fine Condition book in a Near Fine Condition Dustjacket. Tight, bright, attractive copy with no markings to the book.

Seller Inventory # 99137597

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A keeper of Bees. Notes on Hive and Home
• Publisher: Random House, Inc., Westminster, Maryland, U.S.A.
• Publication Date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 1400062713
• ISBN 13: 9781400062713
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: As New
• Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket Included

About this title

Synopsis

I was hooked. Call it adrenaline surge, call it honeybee venom in my veins–whatever the explanation, henceforth I would need these funky little critters in my life. Givers of sweet, thick honey, bringers forth of the fruits from trees and bushes and who knew what else, they also gave more food for thought than a body could know what to do with.
–from A Keeper of Bees

Allison Wallace’s devotion to honeybees and their amazing, intensely lived lives started years ago, when she was living in a cabin in the North Carolina woods. Ever since then, wherever she has called home, Wallace has kept company with bees. Now she gives us the honeybee in all its glory, dancing “the great, never fully knowable ecological dance,” striving like other creatures and plants to be all it can be in its short life.
With a philosopher’s perception and a scientist’s knowledge, Wallace interweaves the facts of honeybee biology with reflections on desire, intimacy, work, evolution, memory, and home. She shares the thrill of intimately observing thousands of busy bees cozily ensconced in their brilliantly designed, perfectly weatherproofed hive. She muses on the female workers’ unceasing activity, and on the male drones’ idleness as each awaits his acrobatic midair mating with the queen, followed by his instant death. She marvels at the cosseted queen, upon whom the future of the hive depends.

About the Author

Allison Wallace has published many articles and essays. She is a professor of American Studies at the Honors College of the University of Central Arkansas. This is her first book.