Feared for their sting, admired for their industry, and vital to our agriculture and environment, bees are among the most fascinating animals on earth, yet few of us really know much about them. In this detailed overview, illustrated with page-filling closeups of some of the 20,000 known bee species, entomologist Christopher O'Toole describes their essential role in pollination and their influence on humankind, including how bees are portrayed in art, myth, and folklore. He discusses honeybees in depth, from their production of honey to their surprisingly sophisticated social lives, and provides tips for maintaining a hive or simply making your yard bee-friendly.