A fascinating and superbly written book - highly recommended for those who love bees, or for anyone with an interest in natural history and the countryside This comprehensive book, In Praise of Bees: A Cabinet of Curiosities explores the bee's place in human society from prehistoric cave paintings and inscribed clay tablets, through to our contemporary world - a cabinet whose drawers are filled with nuggets of bee science and practical beekeeping, myth, religion, politics, philosophy, and folklore, plus a selection of verse and a rich variety of illustrations ranging from Old Masters and scientific etchings to modern photographs. Elizabeth Birchall provides the reader with an in-depth look at bees' complex society and their present plight, the ongoing political and scientific to and fro regarding pesticides and other threats, all in the context of the bee's importance as plant pollinator in agriculture and the wild. AUTHOR: Elizabeth Birchall has long been interested in bee lore and mythology. She was born in Newark on Trent and has had a wide and varied life from joining the Fleet Air Arm as a Wren aircraft mechanic, practising social worker and manager for various local authorities, interspersed SELLING POINTS: . An intriguing look at bees from prehistoric cave paintings and myths through to our contemporary world and the bee's fragile survival in an increasingly detrimental environment . Thematic chapters draw from classical, mediaeval and modern literature on beekeeping . The often extravagant history of hive design is covered . The therapeutic potential of bee products, the insect's sensory perceptions and how their abilities might assist mankind in space exploration and landmine detection are discussed . Aimed at beekeepers and any lay person interested in nature, or these particular strands of science, human culture and rare illustrations . Beautifully illustrated throughout with paintings by Old Masters, scientific etchings and modern photographs Colour photos, etchings and illustrations