Best Book

[Curly green fingers]

Some of you on here recommended the beekeepers field guide by nick cramp. I've bought it for christmas . I look forward to having a read.

 

[Millet]

If you buy one book then it's plane sailing, just follow the book so to speak, but with two books you start getting conflicting beekeepers, by three books it all starts getting very messy, four any you're done for good.
If you don't want too much scientific facts and figures and just want to know how to become a beekeeper then go for Haynes and Ted Hooper as they are pretty much on par

Perfect explanation on why not to buy or read too many books when trying to learn anything, buy one good book and one i would imo recommend is in your quote, once a beginner gets going and has hands on experience they can progress up the steps to more complex books.

I used to fly Goshawks and as far as Falconry books go it is no different to beekeeping when conflicting advice is given, the same applies one good book to start with or you will end up with head damage and with falconry a lot of money out of pocket within minutes or blind in one eye.

 

[Jambo]

Beginners should steer well clear of this forum then

 

[madasafish]

Beginners should steer well clear of this forum then

I found this forum invaluable as a beginner: the opposing ideas made me think, rather than blindly doing what some experienced beekeeper has been doing for 40 years because it works..I would often end up following that advice with a deeper insight into why it worked - or its implications or the disadvantages...

"Monkey see, monkey do" teaching tends to produce .. monkeys..

 

[Jambo]

Agreed - it was a tongue in check response to Millet. The same is true with books - read as much as you can and then think for yourself is my strategy.

 

[Levitt53]

Try your local library. Getting a good book you can keep and refer to is good, but you can try library ones for free. I bought the bbka one but have had loads out of the library. Some I’ve read cover to cover and some i’ve looked through and discounted. Shame to waste your money on something that isn’t what you want.

 

[Swarm]

Agreed - it was a tongue in check response to Millet. The same is true with books - read as much as you can and then think for yourself is my strategy.

On the other hand, you could read a few books and become an instant expert. Plenty of those about.

 

[Erichalfbee]

On the other hand, you could read a few books and become an instant expert. Plenty of those about.

 

[ShinySideUp]

Confessions of a Bad Beekeeper -- Bill Turnbull (the ex TV-presenter)

This book is not about how to keep bees, although that is covered up to a point, it is about how even if you are famous you can still **** things up. It is an interesting read but not overly long so get a copy from ebay if you can.