THE MIND OF A BEE

Narrator Michael Butler Murray has a quirky timbre that makes this exploration of all things bee very listenable. He particularly enlivens the somewhat dull and rather lengthy chapters that provide historical background on bee science. What scientists have discovered about bee perception and intelligence is fascinating to hear, but the nitty-gritty of how they figured it out--not so much. The author fails to provide a narrative hook to keep listeners from wandering, making Murray's job quite difficult. Listeners who do hang on will be astounded by what scientists have learned about the bee brain and nervous system, as well as the perceptive abilities bees closely share with humans. J.T. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2022]