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Writer's pictureArun Batchu

Unlocking the Hive Mind: Insights from Hilary Kearney and her book Heart of the Hive

Updated: 2 days ago


A Deeper Look into Heart of the Hive by Hilary Kearney: Book Review, Insights, and an Interview Experience

There’s something inherently captivating about honeybees. Whether it’s their meticulous organization within the hive, the graceful dance they perform to communicate, or their vital role in keeping our ecosystems thriving, bees seem to hold endless mysteries waiting to be uncovered. This curiosity was exactly what led me to dive into Hilary Kearney’s Heart of the Hive: Inside the Mind of the Honey Bee and the Incredible Life Force of the Colony. But my connection to the book deepened after attending an interview with Kearney, hosted by Rima at The Thinking Spot. What unfolded was more than just an appreciation for a book—it became an appreciation for Kearney’s entire journey and her infectious passion for bees.



The Book: A Love Letter to Bees

At its core, Heart of the Hive offers a fascinating look into the world of honeybees. From their intricate social structures to the way they communicate through dance, Kearney delves into their lives with the kind of detail that leaves you marveling at how much we still don’t know about these creatures. The book makes you see the hive as more than just a collection of individuals. Instead, Kearney emphasizes the concept of the hive as a “superorganism,” where every bee has a role to play in the larger survival of the colony.

This might sound like dense material, but Kearney’s writing is anything but. She seamlessly blends scientific information with personal anecdotes, which is no surprise given her background as a beekeeper. From her early days setting up hives in her dad’s backyard to running her successful business, Girl Next Door Honey, Kearney brings her life into the pages. And what better way to understand bees than from someone who has spent years living among them?


A Personal Experience: The Interview with Hilary Kearney

After reading the book, I had the pleasure of attending an interview with Kearney, organized by The Thinking Spot’s very own Rima. The conversation was intimate, insightful, and filled with the kind of behind-the-scenes stories you’d never get from just reading a book.




One part of the interview that stuck with me was Kearney’s anecdote about how she got into beekeeping. It all started with a gift for her then-boyfriend—an innocent book on backyard beekeeping. Little did she know that what began as a thoughtful gesture would ignite her own passion for bees. Fast forward to today, and Kearney’s life revolves around the hives she lovingly maintains. Hearing this story firsthand gave me an even greater appreciation for Heart of the Hive. You can tell that each page of the book is infused with that personal connection and reverence she has for her bees.

Kearney also shared the incredible moments she’s witnessed—like the rare sight of two queen bees locked in battle for dominance over the hive. Her eyes lit up as she recounted the drama of the “queen wars,” a spectacle she managed to capture on video after years of beekeeping. It’s these moments, she said, that make beekeeping endlessly fascinating, and her enthusiasm was absolutely contagious.


Visuals That Bring It All Together

One of the standout features of Heart of the Hive is the stunning photography by Eric Tourneret. As Kearney mentioned during the interview, Tourneret’s images capture moments that most beekeepers might never witness in their lifetime. His photos aren’t just beautiful—they're educational, allowing readers to see bees in a whole new light. Whether it’s the close-up of a bee’s wings in motion or a rare shot of bees mating mid-air, these images complement Kearney’s words and make the book an immersive experience.

Tourneret’s photography adds layers to Kearney’s storytelling. In the interview, she admitted that even she was blown away by some of his shots—particularly those showing bees mating, an act that typically happens high in the sky, far out of sight. You can sense her admiration for Tourneret’s work, which she described as a perfect pairing to her deep dive into bee behavior.

A Thought-Provoking Take on Intelligence
One of the book’s most intriguing aspects is Kearney’s exploration of bee intelligence. During the interview, she elaborated on some of the research that shows how bees can perform basic arithmetic and solve problems. This revelation is one that many of us (myself included) might find surprising. How can creatures with such tiny brains be capable of such complex tasks? Kearney breaks it down in a way that makes the science both accessible and awe-inspiring. In her words, the more we study bees, the more we realize how much we’ve underestimated them.

Connecting the Dots: Bees, Humans, and the Future

What makes Kearney’s work so impactful is the way she connects the lives of bees to broader environmental and social issues. During the interview, she touched on the growing concern over honeybees competing with native bee species. But she was quick to emphasize that this isn’t simply the bees’ fault—it’s the result of human interference with ecosystems, climate change, and habitat destruction. Kearney’s nuanced understanding of these dynamics makes Heart of the Hive more than just a book about bees; it’s a call to rethink our relationship with nature.


Conclusion: More Than Just a Book

What Heart of the Hive offers is more than just a window into the world of bees. It’s a reflection of Kearney’s personal journey, her respect for nature, and her desire to educate and inspire others. The interview with Rima solidified for me that Kearney’s passion goes far beyond the pages of her book. She’s a beekeeper, a teacher, and a storyteller, all rolled into one.

If you’re looking to understand bees in a way you never have before, or if you simply want to enjoy a beautifully written and visually stunning book, Heart of the Hive is a must-read. And for those who missed the interview, don’t worry—you can still experience Kearney’s passion through every page.

You can find Heart of the Hive on Bookshop.org, where a portion of the proceeds goes to support local bookstores like The Thinking Spot.

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