Bless the Bees: The Pending Extinction of our Pollinators and What You Can Do to Stop It [Kindle Edition]
Book Description Publication Date: September 2, 2013 #1 Best Seller Now also available in paperback
Amazon Hall of Fame Reviewer, Grady Harp says, "this is a very important book and one that belongs in the hands of everyone who cares about ecology and the preservation of the bee population, and that in turn means the preservation of life as we know it on this planet." Albert Einstein said, "If the bee disappears from the earth, man would have no more than four years to live." This beautifully illustrated edition is meant to educate the reader about the potential extinction of the bees as an indicator of a mass extinction, the last one of which was 65 million years ago. It explains what pollination is, who does it, why its essential to us, what things are threatening our pollinators and what we, as individuals, can do about it. They have been in existence for over 100 million years, but it has taken us less than 30 years to kill almost all of them off. Honey bees are responsible for pollinating 60% of the world's food supply. Without them, the human race would face starvation. A worldwide epidemic, it has been called the bee apocalypse by Russia's president, but it is worse in the United States than any other country. Since 1972, feral honey bees in the United States have declined 80% to near extinction, and
domestic bees in the United States are down to 60%. Since 2006, the epidemic has been referred to as colony collapse disorder, describing the disappearance of entire colonies of bees. Among the causes cited for this disaster of epidemic proportions are parasites, the decrease in abundance and diversity of wildflowers, insecticides and genetically engineered foods (GMO's) that create their own synthetic pesticides which kill bees as well as other insects. But one thing is for certain-- mankind is responsible for the drastic decline in bee population and the United States government is doing nothing about it. On the contrary, the government has taken measures to make the problem worse. There is more to this delicate 100 million year old evolution of pollination that just honey bees, who were not native to the United States, but imported from Europe and probably originally came from Africa. At least 4,000 species of wild bees are known to exist in North America alone. All of them are at risk, and this book will show you how you can make a difference in saving them, our food supply, and our planet as we know it. 50% of the royalties of this book will be donated to Bee Bay, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of bees and the environment.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 3 of 3 people found the following review helpful 5.0 out of 5 stars A call to action September 13, 2013 By Jon Roylance Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase The Eades have authored a compelling narrative about these vital creatures and their imminent extinction.. and as a result, ours. This book is not just another example of another global systemic failure whose origins are too murky or unfathomable to be addressed in any effective way. The origins of the bee population decimation are revealed, and perhaps more importantly, the book shares effective steps any reader can take to begin stemming this heinous attack on humanity's food chain. As a bonus, the photography presents a poignant series of portraits of these amazing friends.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful 5.0 out of 5 stars Another plea for Ecological Conscience September 8, 2013 By Grady Harp HALL OF FAMETOP 50 REVIEWERVINE VOICE Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase Author Kenneth Eade and his wife, photographer Valentina Eade have created a beautiful art book about the bounty of bees and their importance to the existence of the world as we know it. So serious is the progress of our extinction of bees that biologists are calling what we are doing a mass extinction that ranks with the mammoth events of our planets history from the dinosaurs to now.
Few of us may appreciate the gravity of the problem of the use of pesticides on the bee population, and why the existence of bees is necessary for the natural life cycle of our food supply. Pollination of fruit and vegetable blossoms by bees is essential for the creation mature fruits and vegetables, but as we fumigate the air to control pests we believe are endangering our crops, we are simultaneously killing off the honey bees and the pollinating armies of bees so important to our food chain. As the author states, `Since 1972, feral honey bees in the United States have declined 80% to near extinction, and domestic bees in the United States are down to 60%. Since 2006, the epidemic has been referred to as colony collapse disorder, describing the disappearance of entire colonies of bees.' The book provides documented facts of how we are destroying the bee population, facts that are serious enough to demand world attention. And in order to make this information more potent the book goes through the types of bees and the functions each provides and these chapters are filled with magnificently beautiful photographs of honey bees, bumble bees, bees on flowers, in tandem with bats, birds and other pollinators (there is a fine art photograph of a humming bird in a bed of blue agapanthus that serves framing!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful 5.0 out of 5 stars The Importance of Bees... September 8, 2013 By Donna Ward Format:Kindle Edition This book is filled with information regarding Bees. I never realized how important the roll of bees in nature really is! "Bless the Bees"educates the reader on the different types of Bees and also about the other pollinators. Reading Mr. Eade's book makes me realize that we'd better become aware to the dangers we are facing and act soon to save our bees before it is too late.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful 5.0 out of 5 stars A Shocking Account of Possibly the Decline of Mankind October 18, 2013 By James A. Ehle Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase You must read this book. The author has presented this looming disaster in easily understandable terms, and has given the reader a possible solution to the Colony Collapse Disorder. After reading this book, I have taken on this crusade of saving our pollinators from ourselves. If you have any love of Nature, wild flowers,....anything that needs bees to make them grow and produce then you need to read this book and take the warning to heart and work toward helping to stop the possible decline of mankind as we know it today.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful 5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource! October 14, 2013 By Amanda Haury Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I received a copy of Bless the Bees for a fair and honest review. Bless the Bees is a formidable resource for anyone who is concerned or wants to learn more about the unclear future of bees as a species. This book is informative, well written, wellresearched, and highly resourceful. I applaud the author Kenneth Eade for compiling such an excellent reference for readers.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful 5.0 out of 5 stars To Bee or Not to Bee WILL Affect Thee! October 7, 2013 By LeoAutoFx Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase This book motivates a person to pitch in his/her grain of sand, unifying together, to cause a system change. Eye opener! Hopefully it will fulfill its purpose of informing the common man of what has NOT been common knowledge, & move all to contribute to the rescue of the pollinators & every man's health & well-being. All said, it is a very helpful & useful tool! To complement are the beautiful images which cause the viewer to transcend and live the experience, again, of nature in its raw, pure beauty ... untainted. The photography enhances the understanding and sensitivity to the fact that this is really something worth fighting for! › See all 11 customer reviews (newest first)
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