Book excerpt: This book addresses each topic in the FIBKA Basic and Intermediate Examinations with a view to assisting those studying on their own informally at home. The syllabus is a long one with over 90 topics to be considered. Until the issue of this book it was necessary for the student to consult a multitude of different works to acquire a thorough understanding of the subject matter for examinat!on purposes. The book is a must for anyone contemplating either of the two examinations. The authors are very well qualified to prepare such a volume. They are both BBKA examiners and Master Beekeepers and are weil familiar with the problems that confront students and candidates. They are both past winners of the coveted Wax Chandler Prize for the best results in the BBKA Senior Examinations and are the only man and wife team to achieve this feat. John started beekeeping during the second world war and Dawn started after they returned to the UK from careers in the Colonial Service, Engineering and Nursing respectively. They are now retired in Devon and manage 20 colonies and about the same number of nuclei as part of their queen rearing programme each year. John has been a member for some years of the BBKA Examination Board.