"Easily the best of several recent bee books. . . . Presents her information cogently and attractively . . . Bee is excellent."

James Fleming | The Spectator

"With so many fascinating facts, fables and arcana from art, science, literature and apiculture, Bee offers a compelling meditation on the fortune’s of nature’s workaholic."

American Bee Journal

"The kind of book I was looking for when I started beekeeping, a general overview of bees as they have appeared in history, art, and society. Preston presents the true, the absurd and everything in between about honey bees by tracing their reality, mythology, and folklore. . . . fascinating. . . . I recommend . . .  sitting down to enjoy Preston’s new book Bee."

Cynthia Allen | Bee Culture

"Engaging. . . . An excellent example of how cultural history can entertainingly cross borders."

BBC History Magazine

"It is an outstanding book: marvellously researched and annotated, superbly illustrated and exceptionally well written. . . . Preston must have played the bee herself in her meticulous preparation for this book, and she has done this esteemed creature the great service it merits."

Times Literary Supplement

"Even the most widely read beekeeper will find something new here. . . . Most pages of this beautifully presented book have excellent and interesting illustrations. . . . It is a great book to read if you want to gain a wider perspective of bees’ role within our human society."

Bees for Development Journal