This soft-covered guide has been written by Howland Blackiston, the former president of the Backyard Beekeepers’ Association. He is also an international lecturer on bees and beekeeping. As is usual with most “Dummies” books, this is a hands-on guide to beekeeping. It covers all that is needed to be known from starting and managing a backyard colony to the latest tools and techniques. It is a useful guide not only for the “newbie” but also for those who have been practising beekeeping for some time and require an additional or a different perspective on practical application.

This edition also has helpful information on managing a top bar hive, a topic not often covered by some beekeeping manuals. The book is generously peppered with explanatory diagrams and photographs to support the comprehensive information provided, together with useful tips and pointers, charts and graphs.

The appendix at the end of the book provides some helpful resources as guides to websites, vendors, associations and journals for further reading. This is a well laid-out comprehensive guide which would be an asset for any beekeeper wishing to manage honey production at any phase.