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anna978's review against another edition
had to return it to the library & although it was very fun to read, the author keeps going on tangents vaguely related to what he was originally talking about & i didnt enjoy that much, although some people will probably enjoy that a lot :)
laerkehass's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
4.0
The first two parts were a bit slow at times with descriptions of many different plants and their pollinators. Interesting but very technical. The last third perked up a bit, and told the story of ecological damage and interconnectedness through case studies. A strong call to arms at the end, leaving us on a high (although slightly depressing) note to go combat biodiversity loss. Funny and cute at times, and Dave Goulson seems like a very likeable fella.
bluestarfish's review against another edition
3.0
The author bought a plot of land in France over a decade ago and is managing its meadow (and house to be fair) to be beneficial to wildlife, and insects in particular. He's got a fabulous range of habitats on his land as well as numerous interesting creatures, and we get to hear about them too. Part memoir, part nature reporting, and part call to action to conservation it's a very nice mix of stuff. There are just so many insects around that it's always nice to learn of a few more in narrative forms (rather than reading text books). And what fun to have enough land that you can set up your own experiments on it!
bmccabe088's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
pattydsf's review against another edition
3.0
”This book is intended to inspire, to encourage everyone to cherish what we have, and to illustrate what wonders we stand to lose if we do not change our ways. Biodiversity matters, in all shapes and forms.”
I am not sorry that I read this book because I like how Goulson knows so much about insects and writes so well. I guess I just was hoping for more about his French farm and how he lives there. I realize that my desire is unrealistic. I read Goulson’s first book and I know how much he loves bumblebees. Why did I think he might write about renovations, and what the buildings look like and other non-insect related stuff? That is not who he is.
Even though I didn’t get my fix on French country homes, I did enjoy this story. I liked the way Goulson started each new chapter with a bit about his runs through his community. I also am again amazed at what and how people do research. Goulson’s stories about counting holes in flowers and looking for pesticide free fields are mind-blowing. As I said in my review of A Sting in the Tale, I am astonished by what people research. And probably even more astounding is what we don’t yet know about our world. I am happy that Goulson has shared his knowledge with lay readers like me.
I am not sorry that I read this book because I like how Goulson knows so much about insects and writes so well. I guess I just was hoping for more about his French farm and how he lives there. I realize that my desire is unrealistic. I read Goulson’s first book and I know how much he loves bumblebees. Why did I think he might write about renovations, and what the buildings look like and other non-insect related stuff? That is not who he is.
Even though I didn’t get my fix on French country homes, I did enjoy this story. I liked the way Goulson started each new chapter with a bit about his runs through his community. I also am again amazed at what and how people do research. Goulson’s stories about counting holes in flowers and looking for pesticide free fields are mind-blowing. As I said in my review of A Sting in the Tale, I am astonished by what people research. And probably even more astounding is what we don’t yet know about our world. I am happy that Goulson has shared his knowledge with lay readers like me.
horthhill's review against another edition
4.0
"A Buzz in the Meadow: The Natural History of a French Farm" by Dave Goulson is a memoir of Goulson's ten years ownership of a small farm in France. Goulson is a professor of biology at the University of Sussex who specializes in insects. Over the decade, Goulson recounts mostly the insects (especially the butterflies and bees), the flowers and plants, and the miles he runs during his frequent visits to his 33-acre meadow: that is the first part of the book and the majority of the pages. The latter sections are both more scientific and taker a grander look at ecology as Goulson explains such things as neonicotinoids and the downfall of Easter Island.
samkjones's review against another edition
4.0
For anyone interested in conservation, sustainability, naturalism, and even just gardening and wildlife in general, Dave Goulson is essential. His love of insects big and small makes entomology cool. Everyone talks about the importance of bees, but what about nematodes, flies, butterflies, and "bugs"?
Part one is structured so that each chapter delves into a specific type of insect, their mating habits (which made me laugh out loud), their pollination methods, predators and prey, and generally why we should all care about them. Part two uncovers the other side, the plant side, of the symbiotic relationship of an ecosystem. And Part three pieces it all together, making me enraged about the cause of Colony Collapse Disorder, and simultaneously inspiring me to create a nature preserve in my backyard.
"This book is intended to inspire, to encourage everyone to cherish what we have, and to illustrate what wonders we have to lose if we do not change our ways."
Goulson does that in more ways than one. My only complaint would be that the chapters in part one felt a little more in-depth than I needed. Do I really need to know: "In some crickets, the male impregnates the female with sperm during mating, but also glues a large sticky ball of nutritious goop to her bottom, which she promptly eats." If anything, it made me giggle.
If any of this intrigues you, please start with his first book, A Sting in the Tale, which is mostly focused on bees and bee conservation but is even more charming than A Buzz in the Meadow. They'll both make you immediately "go outside, look and listen."
Part one is structured so that each chapter delves into a specific type of insect, their mating habits (which made me laugh out loud), their pollination methods, predators and prey, and generally why we should all care about them. Part two uncovers the other side, the plant side, of the symbiotic relationship of an ecosystem. And Part three pieces it all together, making me enraged about the cause of Colony Collapse Disorder, and simultaneously inspiring me to create a nature preserve in my backyard.
"This book is intended to inspire, to encourage everyone to cherish what we have, and to illustrate what wonders we have to lose if we do not change our ways."
Goulson does that in more ways than one. My only complaint would be that the chapters in part one felt a little more in-depth than I needed. Do I really need to know: "In some crickets, the male impregnates the female with sperm during mating, but also glues a large sticky ball of nutritious goop to her bottom, which she promptly eats." If anything, it made me giggle.
If any of this intrigues you, please start with his first book, A Sting in the Tale, which is mostly focused on bees and bee conservation but is even more charming than A Buzz in the Meadow. They'll both make you immediately "go outside, look and listen."