Preview
  • The Beekeeper's Lament

  • How One Man and Half a Billion Honey Bees Help Feed America
  • By: Hannah Nordhaus
  • Narrated by: Xe Sands
  • Length: 7 hrs and 6 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (856 ratings)

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The Beekeeper's Lament

By: Hannah Nordhaus
Narrated by: Xe Sands
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Publisher's summary

Award-winning journalist Hannah Nordhaus tells the remarkable story of John Miller, one of America's foremost migratory beekeepers, and the myriad and mysterious epidemics threatening American honeybee populations.

In luminous, razor-sharp prose, Nordhaus explores the vital role that honeybees play in American agribusiness, the maintenance of our food chain, and the very future of the nation. With an intimate focus and incisive reporting, in a book perfect for fans of Eric Schlosser's Fast Food Nation, Michael Pollan's The Botany of Desire, and John McPhee's Oranges, Nordhaus' stunning exposé illuminates one of the most critical issues facing the world today, offering insight, information, and, ultimately, hope.

©2011 Hannah Nordhaus (P)2016 Tantor
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Critic reviews

"A fascinating read from cover to cover." ( Associated Press)

What listeners say about The Beekeeper's Lament

Average customer ratings
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Non fiction

Non fiction is not my genre. However this seemed interesting. Apparently bees are somewhat of a mystery and a thriller. I loved it.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Reader's voice incredibly self conscious.

Couldn't get past chapter one. "Xa" seems convinced we shall absolutely adore her super smooth voice. Blecch.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great listen and great story

As a Commercial Beekeeper myself, but only for the last 10 years, I found a story to be very interesting and entertaining at the same time . It was recommended to me by someone who doesn’t keep or know anything about Bees at all and she loved it. So I guess it’s great for beekeepers and people interested in bees as well.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Interesting listen!

Would you listen to The Beekeeper's Lament again? Why?

I didn't listen to it straight through as the content is dry - you need to love bees to love this book - so I listened in stages but the book is well done and interesting. Performance was great.

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30 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent insight

Excellent insight into the minds and lives of some of the big names in US beekeeping. History of bee ailments, remedies and struggles will help you learn more about this amazing hobby or profession.
I highly recommend this book to the beginner and hobbyist alike.

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10 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Bubbly writing and narration

The author and narrator make the tedious economic and medical issues with domestic honey bees fascinating.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Good book for beekeepers

It's a little repetitive at times but overall it gives you a real deep background on all it takes to be a beekeeper on a grand scale. I like this book and would recommend it

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    5 out of 5 stars
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An excellent, very poetic read.

This has been one of the best books on bees I've read in some time, highly recommended.

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10 people found this helpful

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Bee amazed by this book!

I often listened twice to some of the amazing facts gathered for this book. The narrator was a little fast for me at times. I could have a listening deficit though, since I was often doing another activity while listening I am very glad I can slow the speed to 90%. Great book, I enjoyed learning while listening.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great Beekeeping Overview

Hannah Nordhaus's book is a fun, interesting and accurate view of beekeeping in modern America. She lays out all the joys, heartaches and challenges facing this labor of love enterprise.

Beekeeping is not all joy, and Ms. Nordhaus takes us through the season showing the pressures that are faced and overcome. She appropriately reflects the optomistic and eternally hopeful nature of beekeepers. Ms. Nordhaus's story lets us know we are not alone on this journey.

Xe Sands performance is perfect for the book, conveying empathy, excitement and hope throughout. I will certainly look for more books narrated by Ms. Sands.

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