Bee optimism

The title of this book reveals all: Jay Evans approaches science and life with clarity and optimism. Every essay in this book is concise yet funny, and rich in content. Each cleverly-worded chapter uncovers exciting findings from complicated research. Some topics covered in these 34 short essays include how bees' fat bodies may hold clues to new mite control strategies (the "Fats Domino Effect"), an aerial view of helicopter beekeepers and burned out foragers, why bees drink dirty water, chasmogamy in soybeans, "trait rot", genetic signatures described as chords composed of eight genetic notes, and winter bees as the third worker form. The essay "Magic Bullets for Mites" is a great example of Jay's ability to communicate complex topics with compelling, accessible prose.

Even though he muses that "we are attempting to manage a social organism that is affected by rules we do not yet fully understand" Jay remains firmly rooted in the #Beeoptimism movement: for his scientific mind, the unknown is full of possibilities. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and devoured it in one sitting, although I recommend savoring it more slowly.

Marla Spivak

St. Paul, Minnesota