• Age: 8
• Grade: 3

Provocative, passionate and populist, RMB Manifestos are short and concise non-fiction books of literary, critical, and cultural studies.

From Dr. Reese Halter comes a remarkable, concise account of the honeybees that have profoundly shaped our planet for the past 110 million years. They are the most important group of flower-visiting animals, pollinating more multi-billion-dollar crops and plants than any other living group. Since prehistoric times humans and honeybees have been inextricably linked. This book is rich with interesting and humbling facts: bees can count, they can vote, and honey has potent medicinal properties, able to work as an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, even an antiseptic. The fate of the bees, whose numbers have been beleaguered most recently by colony collapse disorder, lies firmly in the hands of humankind. As such, it is our job to ensure their health, protect the habitats within which they live and communicate to others the vital link that human society shares with the remarkable honeybee.

Reese Halter is a forest/ocean defender and prolific writer. He can be contacted through ReeseHalter.com.

Reese Halter's profile page

The Incomparable Honeybee & the Economics of Pollination

This small tome is packed with fascinating facts. In clear, conversational language, award-winning conservation biologist, TV host and science writer Dr. Reese Halter teaches us about bees. These small creatures are vital to our wellbeing. Bees have been around for 100 million years, 14 times longer than humans. Many fruits, vegetables and nuts depend on bees for pollination. Honey is a powerful antiseptic, antibacterial agent and preservative. Ancient Egyptians used honey for embalming. Today, bees are being trained to detect cancer, diabetes and TB and to locate landmines. Bees socialize, clean house and perform intricate dances to communicate information. Shockingly, 50 billion bees have died mysteriously in recent years. Dr. Halter invites readers to take action, providing useful suggestions and websites.